DECOR *** (brown but cosy enough) DRINK **** (Plenty of ale, lager and spirits) PRICE ** (a little bit steep) ATMOSPHERE XXXX (homely and friendly) STAFF **** (received a warm welcome)

HAVING read a number of the angry comments and letters from some of my more sensitive readers, I feel the need to respond.

Firstly, can people please stop asking for an objective review.

There is no such thing. A review by its very nature is biased.

Secondly, just because I didn’t have a great time in one of south-east London’s smattering of gay pubs doesn’t mean I am a homophobe.

If you haven’t noticed, there are few boozers which meet my high standards for a banging night out.

Oh and I didn’t eat the food there because there wasn’t any when I visited. Ha.

So, suck it up people. I’m keeping it real and so should you.

However, seeing as you don’t listen to me anyway, I look forward to reading more of your scathing criticisms and casual racism in the future.

Enraged after a letter from a reader with obvious fascist leanings landed on my desk — he was equally enraged by my obvious fluffy liberalism — I was more than ready to stick the knife into the Golden Lion in Sydenham, whatever state I found it in.

However, I found my sharp tongue blunted after discovering a boozer which is not only cosy and friendly, but also has a bloody good range of beers on tap.

The week’s real ale selection was chalked up on a blackboard above the bar and despite the temptation of Courage and Harveys Best, I opted for a pint of Young’s (a surprisingly pricey £3.55).

This cavernous but pleasingly homely pub has a community feel about it.

However, when I say community, I mainly mean it is a safe house for local nutters and alcoholics whose slurred, incoherent conversations were hardly worth eavesdropping.

This “community” vibe has not gone unnoticed and the boozer has been chosen as a venue for some of the events happening during the Sydenham Arts Festival, which runs for 17 days from Friday, and features music, dance, comedy, film, poetry, visual arts, children’s events and workshops.

My last visit here was during the chilly winter months and a roaring open fire succeeded in warming my spirits a little.

Thankfully, even in the summer the Golden Lion is a pleasant spot to sup and there’s always the benches outside at the front for punters looking for some fresh air or a crafty fag.

It still has an unashamedly traditional feel with old fashioned lights, a pale peach ceiling and pictures of a bygone era on the walls.

Like many pubs which are going for the dated look, everything is a shade of brown and random nick-nacks, antiques and curios clutter the place like a bad excuse for decor.

The copper pots, small wooden high chair, old scales, rocking horse and ceramic jugs definitely fit with the colour coding but the overall theme seems to be eccentric kleptomaniac rather than olde worlde pub.