… according to this article about MEATLiquor “restructuring” the business and closing a number of their places: MEATliquor shutters bulk of estate leaving three restaurants in London
It’s a shame, but it became not one thing or the other – not quite a pub, not quite a burger place. Hopefully, someone will take over the premises.
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Oh no! That’s at the very heart of Forest Hill. Terrible news.
I do agree, that in its current incarnation (literally) it has been a bit of a shadow of its former place as the ‘origin’ of Forest Hill town centre, but this is still sad news.
It is particularly concerning since this seems to be an industry problem rather than just a local business one, so I fear it may take some time for another company or individual to take it on, but we can hope!
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Heartbreaking news. Not so much for the drink but all about the burger. Has always been a favourite of mine to meet up in to catch up with friends over lunch 
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First of all. Great forum. Nice to see an accessible format and an alternative to the other SE23 forum.
shocked, but not shocked that this place has closed. Hopeful that it will be able to reopen as an actual pub. in the current trading environment that seems unlikely…
We used to enjoy the previous version of the pub, but it lacked a variety of beers - that bar is way too small. And over half of the space was taken up by a restaurant that nobody really utilised and which felt ‘cold’. Meat liquor made decent burgers (a bit salty at times) but it wasn’t a ‘regular’ destination anymore. Rarely saw it full after it changed ownership
thanks for joining @sleepysod
When my wife and I first moved here (20+ years ago) we used to use it regularly while we were in the process of renovating our home. It was a lovely atmosphere, good food, and a place to relax. It has changed character several times in the intervening years, and since we’re not regular ‘pub’ goers, and don’t eat burgers, I have to admit I never visited in the current guise (which is a shame, but probably not uncommon).
I’d love to see this returned as a local pub and community space. I appreciate they may need to sell food to make enough money considering the large floorspace they have and need to heat / light, but it would be great to also have a place to meet and talk in comfort without having to shout across the table because of the ‘entertainment’. It would certainly be nice to have a space that was not given over to sports TVs or the usual pool table, but a destination that would serve to make Forest Hill nightlife more varied.
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Did feel like they didn’t know if they were a fast food restaurant or a pub and I guess that doesn’t help. Fingers crossed one of the great SE London breweries takes it on - location to the station and lack of amazing craft beer pubs in FH I think they’d do ok.
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The foresters which is now a Fauna brewing pub has a pretty good selection of their beers plus a wide range of canned craft beers to choose from. And they have a great happy hour deal on beers
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Looks excellent - I didn’t even know it had changed hands!
The Dartmouth was good when I moved back into the area in 2012 - some good ales and a highly decent restaurant at the back. We dined and drank there on a number of occasions. I was dismayed it turned into a chain and a very meat oriented one (I love meat but like variety too) with unappealing decor. Hopefully it will become a good community pub with good food and atmosphere. What is the Bird in Hand like these days btw?
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I really like the Bird in Hand now. With the new management, renovation moved the toilets downstairs which opened up the back room a lot. Nice ‘pubby’ interiors and lovely staff. Unfortunately not drawing in the crowds as much as it might be too close in style to the Sylvan Post across the road and the Signal. I do think it has the capacity to be a great local pub right on Dartmouth Road. Could use a better draft selection though.
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Agree with all that. Amazingly they have a Volden (sp?) on at £3.50 a pint. Sunday evening jazz fairly regularly too, though I’ve not yet been.
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