Crafty

 So you go along the Brixton Road until you reach the market on Station Road. When I was a kid, we'd come along to the stall which bought old Marvel Comix, while another guy sold punk records. Twenty years ago, I played football at Brixton Rec. Now Brixton has Craft.

Finishing touches were being applied as I lurked outside in the pavement seating area. Station Road was buzzing even though the market was closing. I saw my neighbour and her daughter heading up to the Rec for swimming while I sipped a Dark Star Kiwi in autumn sunshine.

London CAMRA stalwart John Cryne is also waiting for a look inside. Pints downed, Martin and Peter give the sign, and we can go in. Huge neon sign dominates the left-hand wall. The bar space is constrained by the room layout, but they've been clever. Fridges are topped with a copper counter, ten beer engines fixed to the backside. A pipeline takes the Kraft Keg up and over your head. There's 20 taps up there, your server stretching up to pour your beer.

Peter Hates Camera, Camera Loves Emma

The floors are bare boards, the tables and chairs a peculiar pick 'n' mix. A narrow staircase has loos on a half landing and if you don't wnat passers-by watching you sup downstairs, a quiet upstairs room with a retro feel, like dominos or card games should be going on. Sepia felt right when I snapped it.

If you're eating, it's pork pies and scotch eggs, but there's the revived Brixton Arcade about five minutes away, with some of the best street food in London.

Craft aren't accepting Brixton Pounds right now, but they're looking into it. That would feel right. The Crown & Anchor (sister to The Jolly Butchers) is ten minutes along Brixton Road towards The Oval. Jump on a 133, 415 or 333 bus, and 15 minutes away towards the Elephant & Castle, will be The Mansion House, Oakham's first London pub.


South London has been overlooked for good beer for too long, but now that's all changing.