An Irish pub in Lewisham stands out from the High Street because of its homely feel, friendly locals and live music.

The Joiners Arms appears to be a small pub from the outside, one that you could easily miss in a hurry.

But inside, the space extends all the way to the back and is much bigger than meets the eye – the Mary Poppins of pubs you could say.

Joiners Arms, Lewisham High StreetJoiners Arms, Lewisham High Street (Image: Emma Fradgley)

Manager Michael Flanagan is from Galway and has been running the pub since the end of 2020.

He has worked to incorporate aspects of Ireland into the Joiners Arms to make the pub feel like a “home away from home” for him and giving the people of Lewisham an authentic Irish hub for a pint.

Michael told the News Shopper: “We have a lot of good locals, especially during the week, and I know all their names.

Michael Flanagan, manager of the Joiners Arms in Lewisham High StreetMichael Flanagan, manager of the Joiners Arms in Lewisham High Street (Image: Emma Fradgley)

“Live music is important for us at the weekends – we always have live music on Saturday and Sunday, Irish stuff, one Saturday we had a guy who plays the accordion and we’ve had another guy who plays the fiddle.

“So, it’s different to any old music you might have.

“It’s really important to me to have live music and it does make it more lively at the weekend.”

Joiners Arms, Lewisham High StreetJoiners Arms, Lewisham High Street (Image: Emma Fradgley) Joiners Arms, Lewisham High StreetJoiners Arms, Lewisham High Street (Image: Emma Fradgley)

Michael went on to explain that while the pub has a loyal network of locals, at the weekend the pub sees a younger crowd and becomes much busier.

The Joiners Arms does have multiple, big TV screens for punters to watch.

Michael added: “We will air sport, it depends on the sport and which channel it’s on.

“We show football and rugby, as well as some other Irish sports.

Joiners Arms, Lewisham High StreetJoiners Arms, Lewisham High Street (Image: Emma Fradgley) Joiners Arms, Lewisham High StreetJoiners Arms, Lewisham High Street (Image: Emma Fradgley)

“And we have horse racing on during the day which our locals really enjoy.”

Two of the Irish sports customers can watch here are Gaelic football and hurling – and Michael has displayed posters of the two sports proudly on the walls for anyone who hadn’t already worked out that it was an Irish pub.

There is also a darts board for anyone wanting to take a crack at the game, with Thursdays being the pub’s darts night.

Joiners Arms, Lewisham High StreetJoiners Arms, Lewisham High Street (Image: Emma Fradgley) Joiners Arms, Lewisham High StreetJoiners Arms, Lewisham High Street (Image: Emma Fradgley)

He even serves exclusively Irish crisps which he claims are “a hit with customers”.

Michael loves that the Joiners Arms is a “homey” pub, and that people will usually talk to one another.

He added that if someone comes in by themselves, they have often made friends with whoever else is around on that day before they’ve finished their drink.