
Watson's General Telegraph
Quick info
About Watson's General Telegraph
Watson's General Telegraph is a beer-centric pub at 108 Forest Hill Rd in London, with a large rear garden that holds fire pits and a Pétanque piste. Inside, the bar pours plenty of beers on tap alongside Guinness, with draught 0% beers also available. The kitchen cooks burgers, with BBQ added in summer, and serves chicken or lamb shawarma in flatbread, with salad, or as a bowl. The Sunday roast comes with pork, beef or chicken, and the pork portion is 500g to share between two. A pub quiz runs on Wednesdays, and a live jazz band plays on the first Thursday of every month. Dogs are welcome.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- ParkingFree street parking
- AccessibilityWheelchair: entrance, restroom, seating
- Good for kidsGood for kids
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention burgers, pub quiz night, live jazz band and sunday roast.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention burgers, pub quiz night, live jazz band and sunday roast.
Customer Review Summary
Burgers are the most frequent draw, described as unbelievably tasty and great, with one reviewer adding that the BBQ is even better in summer. Close behind are the chicken or lamb shawarma, served in flatbread or as a bowl, and the Sunday roast, where the pork to share and the beef with real meat gravy earn praise. One reviewer calls the crackling perhaps the best they have had. Pints of Guinness, plenty of beers on tap and a few draught 0% beers also come up, along with quiz nights and live jazz. The garden is described as magnificent and huge, with a Pétanque piste. The main complaints are that it gets busy and packed in summer with tables close together, and one diner found the burgers rather small for the price and served without chips. One reviewer says booking is recommended in evenings. Staff are repeatedly called helpful, and one birthday group of 20 with dogs and kids from 8 months to 9 years had its needs checked on and catered for.
Customer Review Summary
Burgers are the most frequent draw, described as unbelievably tasty and great, with one reviewer adding that the BBQ is even better in summer. Close behind are the chicken or lamb shawarma, served in flatbread or as a bowl, and the Sunday roast, where the pork to share and the beef with real meat gravy earn praise. One reviewer calls the crackling perhaps the best they have had. Pints of Guinness, plenty of beers on tap and a few draught 0% beers also come up, along with quiz nights and live jazz. The garden is described as magnificent and huge, with a Pétanque piste. The main complaints are that it gets busy and packed in summer with tables close together, and one diner found the burgers rather small for the price and served without chips. One reviewer says booking is recommended in evenings. Staff are repeatedly called helpful, and one birthday group of 20 with dogs and kids from 8 months to 9 years had its needs checked on and catered for.
Featured reviews
- Google user
“Lovely experience at this old school boozer, Dan the server blessed me with his presence and charm. Super lovely bloke and very knowledgeable on all things beer related. Will be visiting again soon”
- Google user
“We have come here a few times but the latest was a weekday dinner. Very nice atmosphere as it’s quiet and laid back, however it can get quite busy and packed in the garden especially during summer. As the tables as close together it does feel quite close for comfort at times. Food wise- we got burgers which, for the price are rather small and do not include chips. Flavour and taste wise is good though.”
- Google user
“Great pub with plenty of seating and good aircon on a hot day. Great chicken or lamb shawarma in flatbread or with salad. Plenty of beers on tap as well as a few draught 0% beers for people like me that can’t have alcohol for medical reasons. Big garden - that even has a Pétanque piste!!”
- Google user
“So glad this is our local pub! Great service and always with a smile and super helpful. Amazing selection of beers and special offers mean a £5 pint on certain days! Great food… the burgers are great and BBQ is even better in summer. Lovely outdoor garden. Plenty of screens to watch Sky. Instagram usually kept up to date with pub quiz nights, jazz etc. one of my favourite pubs in London and luckily just down the road!”
- Google user
“Dropped in on a walk. Lunchtime in a Saturday. Air conditioned inside. Spacious. Comfy chairs! Menu mains all £13-15 and generous. Has chicken shawarma bowl. Delicious. Even had draft low alcohol lager for one of us. Music atmosphere and quality all great. Must come back. Booking recommended in evenings apparently. Huge garden outside too.”
Highlights
“Spacious beer-centric pub with an ever-changing selection and fire pits in the large rear garden.”
- Bar games
- Great beer selection
- Great wine list
- Karaoke
- Live music
- Live performances
Amenities
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Free street parking
- Accepts reservations
- Outdoor seating
- Dogs allowed
- Delivery
Show more amenities
- Takeout
- Dine-in
- Good for kids
- Food at bar
- Cozy
- Beer
- Offerings· 8
- Alcohol
- Cocktails
- Dancing
- Food
- Free water refills
- Happy hour drinks
- Hard liquor
- Wine
- Facilities· 1
- Restroom
- Highlights· 8
- Bar games
- Great beer selection
- Great wine list
- Karaoke
- Live music
- Live performances
- Sports
- Trivia night
- Dining options· 1
- Seating
- Popular for· 1
- Solo dining
- Atmosphere· 2
- Casual
- Trendy
- Crowd· 2
- Groups
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Accessibility· 2
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
Location
Bars near Watson's General Telegraph
- The Brockley Barge4.11,5421.3 mi£10–20Wheelchair accessibleOutdoor seatingTakeout
beer garden seating, cheap drink prices, worn pub carpet
- Prince of Peckham Pub4.22,4141.5 mi£10–30ReservationsWheelchair accessibleOutdoor seating
jerk chicken and wings, pineapple scotch bonnet jam, cocktail selection
- Fox on the Hill3.93,7721.6 mi
outdoor beer garden, american burger with cheese, large car park
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Watson's General TelegraphReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating | 4.4976 | — | £20–30 | burgers, pub quiz night, live jazz band |
| The Brockley BargeWheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating · Takeout | 4.11,542 | 1.3 mi | £10–20 | beer garden seating, cheap drink prices, worn pub carpet |
| Prince of Peckham PubReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating | 4.22,414 | 1.5 mi | £10–30 | jerk chicken and wings, pineapple scotch bonnet jam, cocktail selection |
| Fox on the Hill | 3.93,772 | 1.6 mi | — | outdoor beer garden, american burger with cheese, large car park |
The 3 nearest bars by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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