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Watson's General Telegraph — Bars in London

Watson's General Telegraph

BarsLondon, ENG

4.4 out of 5 stars4.4(976 reviews)

Quick info

+44 20 8693 3838
108 Forest Hill Rd, London SE22 0RS, United Kingdom
£20–30

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

  • Reservations
    Accepts reservations
  • Parking
    Free street parking
  • Accessibility
    Wheelchair: entrance, restroom, seating
  • Good for kids
    Good for kids

Reviews

4.4/5
976 reviews

What reviewers say

Reviewers most often mention burgers, pub quiz night, live jazz band and sunday roast.

5★
619
4★
225
3★
61
2★
26
1★
45

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

Watson's General Telegraph
£20–30ReservationsWheelchair accessibleOutdoor seating
4.4976
  • 1.3 mi£10–20Wheelchair accessibleOutdoor seatingTakeout

    beer garden seating, cheap drink prices, worn pub carpet

  • 1.5 mi£10–30ReservationsWheelchair accessibleOutdoor seating

    jerk chicken and wings, pineapple scotch bonnet jam, cocktail selection

  • 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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