Review of The Marquis of Granby, 322 New Cross Road, New Cross (From News Shopper)

PubSpy reviews The Marquis of Granby in New Cross

2:52pm Monday 5th December 2011 in Freetime latest news By PubSpy

The Marquis of Granby, 322 New Cross Road, New Cross

DECOR **** (touch of Irish charm) DRINK *** (Couple of ales, Guinness and plenty of lager) PRICE *** (easy on the wallet) ATMOSPHERE **** (time stands still) STAFF * (rude and unhelpful)

IRISH eyes may be smiling in the Emerald Isle but in New Cross they shoot daggers in the direction of anyone who dares to interrupt a riveting episode of Countdown.

Personally, I think the programme should have been axed after my hero Richard Whiteley croaked it (may he rest in peace) and sexy maths wizard Carol Vorderman jacked in the word and number show to help stupid people who are pants at counting get out of debt by getting in more debt, fronting a loan company’s advertising campaign.

It was a sad day for all who’d grown to love her deep, almost manly, voice and superhuman ability to add and subtract.

But her absence didn’t seem to irk the barmaid at Irish pub The Marquis of Granby, who watched the programme with such one-pointed concentration, if her mind could move mountains the entire continent of Europe would have drifted to warmer climes.

But alas, her powers were limited to pulling pints and scowling at her customers.

It’s a skill which she seemed to excel at when I eventually gave up waiting to be served and collared her further round the doughnut shaped bar.

I ordered, she pursed her lips, and after pulling me a pint of the black stuff, dropped the change in my hand without so much as a thank you.

In fact, I don’t remember even a single word passing her lips.

Now feeling not only uncomfortable but slightly grumpier than usual, I retreated to a bench and table far from her unfriendly presence and she, predictably, returned to solving the conundrum.

However, the real puzzle here is how an otherwise delightfully atmospheric boozer can get away with such rude and surly service? And it is delightful.

Mounted on the walls are old road signs pointing the way to various Irish towns and districts, two large framed photos depict traditional rural life in the country — one on the far wall and another above the bar — and there’s a warm, cosy glow throughout.

With Goldsmiths College just round the corner, it’s no surprise most of the pub’s trade comes from students.

The price is therefore pretty reasonable with beer selling at around the £3 mark. Not bad.

Apart from the Countdown theme tune blaring from the TV, there was little in the way of music, but I was no doubt too early for the party and there are a couple of games machines if you get bored.

As a couple of arts students in the corner put away the lager like only they can and I sipped on my Guinness as only I can, I soon forgot all about the time, my train home and the horrid barmaid.

Her eyes might not have been smiling, but there was a definitely a twinkle somewhere in the corner of mine.

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