Beehive (JDW)

After visiting the better Brixton venues I have popped in here a couple of times over the last few years before getting the 109 bus back home to Streatham. Typical Spoons really, maybe a bit rougher round the edges, still score the odd cask tick every now and then.

My opinion on this place may be slightly soured by the fact that Craft Beer Co was the intended destination. However someone else managed to lead us in a massive circle so need up here. On a Saturday night it was rammed and full of people happy to ram in to me. Could barely get to the bar, let alone see what was on, most if which was then off. Near the Brixton Academy.

Visited on 8th February 2017. Scruffy Spoons on Brixton High st. Long, thin venue, has had a bit of a makeover, loaded with locals at the front and often busy with gig goers it’s not the most welcoming. Beer range is poor on cask. Bottle selection is a little better and nothing noteworthy on Keg. Not one of the best Spoons but it is cheap.

Visited mid-evening on Sunday 22nd Jan 2017. Small cask selection, plenty of bottles and keg offerings. Typical well used Wetherspoons with a few years spillage on the carpets and the decor looking tired, as were most of the customers and staff. Heroin available in the Gents (until the staff threw him out), wife not amused. Been here, seen it, done it: will not be returning. Got two new rates though, so not all bad.

It is what it is, the Beehive. More late-night cafe with booze than full-on public house. Dodgy but friendly. It’ll do. The pared-down cask ale selection (only two ’guests’ alongside the nationals) is a bit of a let-down, but whatever brought you here... let’s face it, it isn’t for the beer ticks. Enjoy the unique atmosphere.

Was in here on a Saturday lunchtime so maybe didn’t see it at its roughest - however, we were still lucky to get a table. It’s one of the smaller ’Spoons, with a corresponding reduced beer selection - however, being a ’Spoons there were still a couple of casks I hadn’t had before. Staff seemed friendly enough, and clearly knew the tattooed regulars well (the regulars at the bar were actually pretty friendly and chatty to me). Food came quickly and was competently cooked & served (as you expect in a ’Spoons. All in all OK for a quick pint/ cheap lunch, but certainly a little dingy and maybe not one of their more family-friendly outlets.

On the north side of the railway bridge where this suburb of London starts to get slightly less busy than the main commercial centre on its southern side, this is a fairly standard Wetherspoon with a small front but stretches back a fair distance into the building. It’s looks is familiar with a traditional soft furnish finish throughout. It’s busy all day and will suffice for an ale or two if you’re desperate, but despite living in Brixton for over 2 years, I only popped in here a handful of times given it can be a rough and ready place at times.

Standard JDW, but a bit on the dingy and depressing side. Cask ale selection is poor for JDW. Always seems that there is no available seating, although on my visits I've always had a quick half and left because the atmosphere is sort of vaguely intimidating.

Why did I end up here? Well, first of all I came to Brixton because I wanted some Brixton Pound (I’m not only a beer geek...) and the fact that Craft Beer Brixton opens damn late, "forced" me to pop in for a beer. Cesspit? Cantankerous boozers? Intimitating blokes? Well, I haven’t been here after sunset and Brixton isn’t the posh Mayfair for sure. But, certainly more colorful and exciting! (Visited February 28th 2014)

Have popped in on a few occasions prior to a gig at the Academy. Thank god for the Craft - I’ll never have to enter this cesspit again! Typical dark and dingey spoons layout, no daylight other than the frontage, a little dirtier than most. Very average beer range with one or two guests beyond the stock Abbot/Ruddles piffle - if you’re lucky. Service was pretty lousy but it has always been packed due to there being a gig on when I’ve called in. Clientele is Dubious with a capital D. When I nipped to the toilets once a couple of indimidating blokes were asking for money and practically demanding cigarettes of some younger guys. Not nice, avoid !