The Brockley Barge - JD Wetherspoon

🚇 Brockley 🍺 £2.94 Carlsberg The Brockley Barge is located in Brockley, in the borough of Lewisham, in southeast London. The nearest station is Brockley which is close by. Built in 1868 as the Breakspears Arms, the pub closed in 1994 after gaining a reputation for disorder. It was also controversially known for operating separate ‘black’ and ‘white’ bars. Wetherspoons acquired the pub and reopened it in October 2000 under its current name, which recalls the barges that once operated on the Croydon Canal. Opened in 1809, the canal was replaced by a railway in 1836, following much of the same route. This large, one-bar pub is instantly recognisable as a Spoons. The servery runs along the right side, with an open-plan front area filled with poser tables. A row of pillars and partial walls in the centre marks the location of the original servery. Decor includes pale green walls, prints of local historic figures, plenty of standard seating, and the signature jazzy carpet. A small beer garden sits at the rear, there are a few benches at the front as well. The beer lineup was a who’s who of familiar keg favourites, and an impressive range of cask ales that have earned the pub a spot in the Good Beer Guide for 10 consecutive years. I opted for a Carlsberg—my pint was excellent, and the price was under three quid! The food menu is extensive, offering a wide selection of comfort food options. Fish and chips with a pint costs £11.91. I arrived around 2:30 p.m. on a warm and sunny Saturday afternoon in April. The pub was busy throughout, with a mix of local punters of all ages. The liveliest spot was at the front of the pub, where most people were watching the horse racing on the big screen above the door. The service was efficient, and the lady collecting glasses was friendly and chatty. First of all, it was nice to visit a Spoons that was originally a pub—I haven’t done that in a while. Secondly, hats off to Wetherspoons for transforming this place from a nuthouse into a true community local; that takes some serious hard graft. Overall, I enjoyed my time here, a proper Wetherspoons experience. 📅 12th April 2025 More London pub info on socials @londonpubmap 🍻

Thought it was gonna be a really amazing Wetherspoons when I first saw it,as it's got loads of kerb appeal.I was disappointed to find on the inside that it was just a noisy drinkers pub.The staff were friendly and quick to serve us.I've ticked it off my spoons list and if like me you love Wetherspoons then go and visit if you're in the area.

Saturday morning brekkie. Delicious great value and good quality ingredients. Everything from. Full English small or large to eggs royale etc or American style pancakes and bacon

A very friendly bunch in this spoons, welcoming to visitors. I went in for one and ended up staying for two hours. The real ales were of a very good quality and no drama to try before I bought. I was chatting with a bartender, and they told the manager, (Caesar) who was very interested in listening to my quest to visit all the J.D. Wetherspoons. Will try and return.

Not a bad spoons, but loses points on the musty smelly carpet which desperately needs a wash. As you walk in there’s a smell and feel of old, grimy, musty beer filled carpet and old alcoholics sit in there all day. It’s a little depressing. Sitting outside in the sun can be nice however and has a holiday feel to it. The breakfast is decent, classic spoons so not the best quality but cheap. They forgot some of my order so I had to ask for it and they got it wrong.

It’s Wetherspoons. If you know, you know. Great location, next to the station and on the high street. Airy and bright. Pub garden and the usual variety of humans around.

Nice and handy for the railway station just a few minutes walk away. Reasonably lively early evening but managed to get a seat and order from the app. Beer and food turned up in good time and were bothe excellent. Staff were friendly and welcoming and up for a laugh too which is always good. Nicely kept by attentive staff on table clearing duty etc.

Been to this pub a few times, don’t get many pubs nowadays with a classic pub energy but also feeling updated. Had breakfast one morning and the value for money was fantastic, the variety they had to offer was great, very quick and polite service. Still had that classic feel to it at the same time. Outstanding place!