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From the
https://www.newsshopper.co.uk By PubSpy, 9 August 2002.
Keston Mark, Keston.
THE Keston Mark is a well known pub in the Bromley area.
The area around the crossroads between Croydon Road and Westerham
Road is known locally as Keston Mark, and there has apparently been
a pub on the site ever since at least the mid 1800s.
It was once known as the "Red Cross," but was renamed to avoid
confusion with the famous international organisation.
The historical angle isn't really played upon inside the pub.
This is a Whitbread pub, clearly catering for something of a younger
crowd.
Colourful boards everywhere promote various activities such as
Playstation night, and the daily showing of the Simpsons - hardly
indicative of a "traditional" English boozer. Even the pool table
is "American" style!
These points aside, the pub is actually quite attractive. The wooden
bar area is classically elegant and there is a grandness about the
place which is often missing from today's newer pubs.
It reminds me of Eltham's "Rising Sun" in many respects, although this
could be as they are both run by Whitbread.
Service on our visit came from a skinhead landlord who looked like
he could handle himself quite nicely in a tricky situation.
Clearly not to be messed with.
While not being the most talkative chap in the world, he was at
least polite and quick to get us our drinks.
Cask ale doesn't seem to rate too highly here, so beer-lovers may
find themselves out in the cold somewhat if they come down here,
although the Flowers was perfectly reasonable.
The worst thing about The Keston Mark was the irritating MTV in the
background. I'm dubious of pubs with screens at the best of times,
being a bit of a football-hater. But pubs which constantly have a TV
on tend to be a real conversation killer.
Watching a Mariah Carey special might be good entertainment at home,
but I go down the pub to get away from the 1000s of channels on
offer in my living room and have a conversation.
My fellow drinkers weren't the most friendly looking sorts either.
Maybe it was just the hung-over paranoia, or maybe just a bad time,
but it wasn't the warmest welcome I've ever received.
Regular PubSpy readers will probably be too busy up at the nearby
"Two Doves" or "Bird in Hand" to be too concerned with the "Keston Mark."
Still, this is by no means a bad pub, and is certainly one of the
smarter places I've been in recently. One certainly for the younger
crowd. |
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