Pope Street Bar & Kitchen

Let me tell you about Pope Street Bar & Kitchen in London, because this place? It's basically become the unofficial headquarters of "nights that weren't supposed to be legendary but absolutely were." Tucked away in New Eltham like some kind of social speakeasy, this pub-meets-kitchen-meets-your-new-favorite-spot is where mundane Mondays turn into memorable stories.

Listen, I've got to tell you about what happened last week. There we were, just popping into Pope Street for what was SUPPOSED to be "just one drink" (narrator: it was not just one drink), when the bartender started mixing up these cocktails that looked like they belonged in a modern art museum. But like, art you can drink. And SHOULD drink.

The vibe here? Imagine if your coolest friend's living room had a baby with a proper London pub, then hired a chef who actually knows what they're doing. The space strikes that perfect balance between "nice enough for a date" and "chill enough for a random Tuesday." Plus, they're dog-friendly, which means you might make a four-legged friend while you're demolishing one of their legendary Sunday roasts.

Speaking of food - HOLY MOLY. The menu at Pope Street Bar & Kitchen is like comfort food got a fancy makeover but didn't let it go to its head. Their mixed roast is the kind of thing you'll text your friends about at midnight: "You guys. The ROAST. I can't stop thinking about it." The portions are generous enough to make your eyes wide but not so massive that you'll need to be rolled home.

Can we talk about their desserts for a second? Because they're serving up the kind of sticky toffee pudding that makes you understand why people write poetry about food. The ice cream? Homemade. The crumbles? Life-changing. This is where diet plans come to die happy deaths, and nobody's sorry about it.

And the drinks! Whether you're a craft beer enthusiast, wine sipper, or cocktail connoisseur, they've got you covered. Their cocktail list reads like a greatest hits album of classics with some creative twists that'll have you playing "eeny, meeny, miny, mo" with the menu. Pro tip: Just trust the bartender. They haven't steered me wrong yet.

The space itself is basically a choose-your-own-adventure book. Downstairs for casual catch-ups and impromptu meet-ups, upstairs for private parties that people will actually WANT to attend. The outdoor seating? Perfect for those rare London sunny days when the whole city seems to be playing hooky.

Here's some insider intel: They take reservations (praise be), but the bar area's kept free for walk-ins because they understand that sometimes the best nights are the unplanned ones. They're right by New Eltham station, which means you can enjoy those cocktails without worrying about driving. And yes, there's free street parking if you're the designated driver (bless your soul).

The staff here have mastered that perfect London pub balance of being attentive without hovering. They're like those friends who always know when to top up your drink or when to bring over some food because they can sense you're about to get hangry. They're efficiency ninjas during the busy times but still manage to make you feel like you're at a mate's place.

Listen, I'm not saying Pope Street Bar & Kitchen in London is going to change your life, but I'm not NOT saying that either. It's that rare spot that works for literally every occasion - casual drinks, date night, group celebrations, or "I need to show my out-of-town friends what proper London pub culture is all about" situations.

Don't be the person who walks past this place every day thinking "I should check that out sometime." Be the person who texts their friends right now saying "Pope Street, Thursday, no excuses." Because while some venues are just places to eat and drink, this is where memories are made and stories begin. And trust me, you want to be part of those stories.