NOW here’s a proper venue – not a bell or whistle or frill in sight, just cheap beer and rock music.

Alright, so PubSpy’s not all that into loud noises but I can appreciate a good pub turned gig venue, and the Birds Nest smells just like one.

Literally smells just like one; it’s got that strange musty odour that comes with frantic nights of sweat and lager.

It’s all a bit spit and sawdust inside with threadbare stools and wonky tables but it wouldn’t be right if it wasn’t rough and ready.

The walls are peppered with flyers and posters for bands and gigs and there’s a stage in the corner where presumably the noise happens.

It happens regularly by the looks of their calendar, with bands most days, and if you’re into that kind of thing then it’s worth checking out.

In olden times when the pub went by another name it played host to Squeeze and Dire Straits.

There was no band on when I popped by, though there was an invigorating rock score screeching from the speakers and a couple of suitably geezerish geezers behind the big, square central bar.

The beer was alright too. The range was fairly basic, the most adventurous was Tiger on tap, a pint of which set me back just £2.50 during happy hour. Rock on.

The Birds Nest, Church Street, Deptford

How it rated:

Atmosphere **** Rockin’
Decor ** No frills
Staff *** Alright, mate
Drinks ** Less variety than Status Quo
Price ***** Happy hour, happy PubSpy