A local friend of mine mentioned yesterday that the DA is closing down on Aug 28th and the Sylvan Post is not going to reopen. I haven’t seen anything about this elsewhere though. Nothing on their websites or social media. Has anyone else heard anything similar?
I know that Antic were looking to sell the Post some time ago and there’s been a for sale sign outside the DA. Given the current circumstances, it may have forced a decision for both pubs.
Well I hope someone buys the DA and keeps it running - it’s been there since 1815!
Seems that the lease on the DA may have expired or will soon so that may be the reason. As you say, hopefully someone will take it on. And maybe give it a bit of a spruce up. It’s my favourite Forest Hill pub. But I wouldn’t object if they redecorated a bit.
I emailed Antic a week ago about The Post and Anthony said:
“We are looking at an opening date later this month and shall update the website as soon as this is fixed.“
My favourite too @Bolgerp, I’d hate to see it disappear.
Oh that’s good news.
I am crossing every crossable extremity that both of these places will pull through – particularly the Sylvan Post, as it offers an alternative pub/bar experience, and is fully my favourite local.
We love the Sylvan Post.
Frankly we went to the DA a few times when we moved here (9years ago) but have never really liked it and used to prefer the much missed (by us anyway) Hob.
When Sylvan post opened that became our local of choice
It is the best pub in Forest Hill. Such a lovely atmosphere. Hope this is not true.
Sylvan is my 2nd fave behind the Dartmouth. Main issue is they need to invest in some furniture! There is a happy medium between shabby chic and broken chairs!
We like the DA especially for meals. It would be a shame to lose it.
I saw a bit of activity in the Sylvan Post when I drove past it a couple of hours ago. It looked like someone might have been doing some sign-writing in the windows, though I didn’t really have time to assess whether what was in the windows was different from what I remember, and the doors were open, so that may be encouraging.
I was at Dartmouth Arms yesterday and spoke to the team about what’s happening.
They will be closing tomorrow or next Wednesday, it was unclear which, and it will likely be closed for a short period whilst they look for someone else to take it on.
Sadly not the best time to be taking on a pub, especially heading in to winter. I think it will unfortunately be closed for quite a while.
I think for young healthy people who are not worried about Covid-19, these times could provide fantastic business opportunities - shops, pubs, offices, industrial units, available in London at much lower rates than for many years.
Our economic model relies on cyclic events (including disasters) to continuously renew the makeup of the economy and to replace coasting businesses with thriving businesses, and to re-jig people into jobs that suit them best. Inertia is the enemy of happiness.
Every recession seems like the end of the world at the time, but for those of us who’ve lived through some big ones, we know there’s always light at the end of the tunnel.
I’m not sure they are planning on dropping the rent or rates for the Devonshire Arms
Many years ago - back in the 80s/90s - the DA went into quite a bad state of disrepair and general scruffiness after being a perfectly good local. Someone took it on and brought it round albeit still quite tatty with bands playing in the car park. Takings went up and the brewery upped the rent and it closed. Then the guy who owns the DA and then bought the Dolphin in Sydenham came along and turned it into a great gastropub. It may look tired now but I’ve always enjoyed the food. I understand The Dolphin has had a revamp recently. Does it still have the same owner?
The person I spoke to yesterday mentioned they had 2 other pubs, so it sounds like it’s the same people. I didn’t ask why they decided to let this one go…
The space isn’t huge and could be difficult to run profitably in a socially-distanced way.
Dolphin has changed its food offering so wondering if there had been a change. Now got a company coming in to do pizzas whereas before was more similar to DA. Liked food in DA as different style than usual pub menu.
We went for food at the DA last night, it very bad compared to usual.
Have we got a new pub in Forest Hill ?
Can’t say i will mourn either. Always found both overpriced and a little staid. Hopefully, something also will open in their places though.
I kind of agree on ‘overpriced’ - come home from the City where you paid £5.50 for a pint and pay… £5.50 for a pint at the local. Then on the occasion where I will go next door to the Bird to watch the F1 live I can get a ‘posh’ pint of lager under £4
And then there’s The Capitol!
If the Dartmouth arms closes ill start a kiosk selling beer - I can block the whole pavement just like the bric-a-brac store!
Is that with all the appropriate licences from Lewisham council ? I look forward to the day !!
I’ll have the same licences they have!
dont get me started on the Bric a Brac shop! what a load of tat-It really is Car Boot sale rejects!
And its spilling all over the pavement
Kind of my point. It doesn’t help the police have been in attendance and some of the stuff is of interesting provenance (like the Davids Road street sign!)
I really like the atmosphere (well pre Covid) in DA. Proper chilled place out the front, relaxed atmosphere.
Wow, that’s sad news. I used to like a quick glass of wine at the Dartmouth Arms, it felt less threatening than the other pubs in Forest Hill. What a shame.
Funny - I’ve always though pubs in Forest Hill are pretty safe. Some are a little more ‘lively’ , but not threatening
Hope your can back up your allegations…forest hill dying on its knees…full of estate agents and nail shops. Stuff outside to attract attentiom.and try and pay the rent rather than close. You dont.like it…tough…dont come in. Whats this allegation about the sign? No police attended…this is malicoous. You want another empty shop in forest hill next to the chip shop go for it…nasty peopke.like you around…support would have been more appreciated…this rumouring and back stabbing dont pay my rent
@Second_Life please check your licence for trading on the street. You frequently block a narrow pathway on a major road, something that is obnoxious at the best of times, illegal during the time of enforced social distancing.
I don’t want to visit your shop, but I am forced to walk through it because you leave your wares on both sides of the public path. You have shown you don’t care as you sprall in front of other shops
If no police have attended I would recommend you file a police report for people impersonating police
If I were to really dig in I would point out you have in the past solicited donations, despite forest Hill having many genuine charity shops
I have no idea what you mean by forest Hill dying, it has plenty of good things going for it (if it gets the trains running again!)
Can we keep this on topic please.
Back to topic, can anyone confirm if DA has actually now closed? They mentioned closing imminently and I thought that was last week.
I don’t know about the Dartmouth, but the Sylvan Post has workmen on site seemingly taking out the interior entrance door, leaving just one double-door entrance. Promising!
The Antic website (the owners) have the Sylvan Post as ‘brewing’ rather than previously just missing (from memory) - so that is probably a good sign. They have a couple listed as ‘empties’ so they aren’t deliberately hiding the fact they have closed some.
Their last day open will be this Wednesday (25 August) - after that they will be closed until a new person takes on the lease 
@hurljy - Assuming you mean 26th and Dartmouth Arms? In there tonight drinking 50% off this new soft drink I have heard of - beer ?
Whoops! yes did mean the 26th 
Surely the beer isn’t 50% off (as in alcohol’s not part of the government scheme…) - are they having a closing down sale?
Does your kiosk open on Thursday ?
I went for a beer tonight with a couple of the ‘Foodbank cycle delivery squad’ chaps… DA confirmed they’re closing tomorrow. Beer is also not half price. Double sad
I can almost guarantee that HMRC won’t catch them if it is only 50% on their closing day. Having said that - the council also won’t catch them if it starts serving carry outs!
Yes…and thank you…i need as much support as i can get…its not helping the fish and chip shop has not reopened. At least british red cross is back so hopefully more throughput.
The only two good pubs here. Forest Hill keeps getting better!
@BigAl - begs the question - which 2?
