South east Londoners have been looking back fondly on where they had their very first pint and the answers paint a rich and often bittersweet picture of a changing pub scene.
We asked Facebook users which south east London pub served them their first pint.
From lively working men’s clubs to cherished corner locals, hundreds of residents shared their memories online – some humorous, others full of nostalgia, and many about pubs that no longer exist.
For some, the pubs are still thriving.
Others have vanished – turned into flats, shops, or simply closed and forgotten.
But one thing is clear: the first pint holds a special place in the hearts of south east Londoners, and the memories live on.
Alan Flanagan kicked things off, remembering: “Half Moon, Herne Hill – great pub 50 years ago.”
David French’s first pint was at the Corner Pin, Slade Green, while Janet Payne recalled the Horse and Groom in Charlton.
Daniel Kavanagh named the Walpole Arms in Woolwich, and Jane Common Harwood also headed to Slade Green, choosing “The Lord Raglan.”
John Carp simply said: “Deptford Arms.”
For Janette Liddell, her first tipple wasn’t a pint at all: “Dun Cow, Old Kent Road. It was a vodka and orange.”
Stuart Range shared a similar memory of a club rather than a pub, saying: “Eltham Hill working men’s club.”
Angela Harding mentioned: “The Malt Shovel – Forest Hill,” while Steve Fribbens thought it might’ve been “North Heath Social Club. I think.”
Darren Hawkins couldn’t quite remember the name of the pub but said: “The pub that was on Woolwich Market – can’t remember the name of it, it was that long ago.”
Rosemary Mcmullan replied: “Ahh, The Elephant – had two half pints of Herlimans. Went to get off stool! Face-planted the floor.”
Darren Mayes added: “The Bugle Horn, Charlton Village.”
Ian ‘Belty’ Wilbraham recalled the Fox & Hounds in Chislehurst, saying: “All my year used to go there on a Friday night, mid-70s.”
James Russell’s choice was “Brockley Jack SE4.”
Hazel Chesney Sheaky said: “Temple Bar, Walworth Road – great pub.”
Colin Wilder named the “Plume of Feathers, Greenwich.”
Debbie Wybourn had her first pint at “Rose and Crown, Plumstead.”
Bemal Pall Kumar was another to mention the Lord Raglan, Brewery Road.
Rory Byrne shared: “The Plough in Lewisham,” and Alan Wylie said his first pint was at “The Mitre, Greenwich.”
John Osborne wrote: “Glenmore Arms, Edison Road,” while Dave Collier added a financial perspective to his memory: “Yorkshire Grey in Eltham. 2/6p a pint when I started, so a good night out for a pound.”
Stephen Lewis was just 15 when he visited: “Rose of Kent, Trundleys Road, Deptford.”
Julie Benstead had fond memories of “Millers in Greenwich High Road – such brilliant music.”
Adam Primomo said: “Prince Albert, Royal Hill, Greenwich,” and Jason Gilbert’s first pint was in “The George, Beckenham.”
Reg Smith picked “The Gray Coat Boy, Greenwich.”
Emma Barry rounded things off with: “The Plough and Harrow, Welling.”
