The Nightingale
51 Nightingale Lane, London E11 2EY, Tel: 020 8530 2900

Thanks to contributor, Iain Aitch, for recommending this East End gem. He says: "A fantastic old man pub. Was there around new year and it felt like being in a smaller Queen Vic circa 1985. Also had a great Wanstead pub experience on Sunday -- someone DJing in pub. Not a Hoxton fin wearer dropping beats, but a stereotypical zone 3 uber dyke playing the Marvelettes and announcing every song!"

Anyone else tried the Nightingale? Let us know...

Sunday lunch without the gastro

Yearn for that rare breed of Sunday roast venue; a pub where you're more likely to be called "love" than have to listen to young parents, glancing up from the complimentary weekend broadsheets, yelling "come here now, Jocasta!" at their small offspring?

There's no better place for a lazy lunch than a proper boozer. It's the next best thing to sitting round your mum's kitchen table. Regular contributor Carolyn Evans couldn't agree more, and she's compiled a great new guide (published in full at Matadornights.com) telling you where to find the best boozer roasts in London.

There's the "East End boozer" where this gravy-drenched plateful (left) will be served in the comforting surrounds of "dodgy décor, sarcastic old landlord and dark interior". At another, there's "melt-on-your-mouth mashed swede and home-made Yorkshire puddings" as good as Gran would make. She also sampled real ale and half a roast chicken in the salubrious surrounds of "red Indian chiefs, golden Greek Gods and Barbies dressed as Baywatch lifeguards".

Carolyn's guide will have you feeling nostalgic for those good old days (as well as very hungry). Tuck those napkins into your tops, now...

Read more from Carolyn Evans at her blog, The chronicles of the average mind

Photo courtesy of Carolyn Evans

Sad to have missed out on this three-day lock-in at the Tan Hill Inn in North Yorkshire...

SUPPORT FROM MR STEVE

Belatedly, from a lovely chap called Steve, who writes: "What an excellent campaign... my friends and I are firm believers in the Great British Pub, and would never meet in a bar (although don't get me wrong, a bar has its place), I am 31 but for as long as I can remember I always preferred pubs to bars, and hopefully always will now, simple reasons are that it's much easier to meet new people, socialize with mates (in a place you can actually hear what each other are saying!), and I can probably say the last couple of girlfriends I've had probably were all met in a pub - so simple reasons, but probably the reasons most others will give you. Good luck with the rest of your campaign, I'll spread the word!" Thanks Steve!

Save boozers via your remote control

It's been far too long since the last post. Rather than boring you with the reasons why, we're diving straight in with some breaking news.

Yes, they have somewhat shamelessly part-stolen STB's name but the new TV series, Save Our Boozer (on UKTV's new channel, Blighty) is nevertheless supporting the cause... so switch on and join in.

The five-part series sees award-winning pub landlord, Jay Smith, lead five rural communities as they aim to bring their locals back from the brink with a revamp and some lessons in profitable business running. The project, say show's makers is "part of a mission to bring the great British boozer back to their home towns". Each rural location featured in the series has a local pub that has shut down, is deteriorating or heading for ruin because of a mixture of the recession, the smoking ban, rising costs and competition from supermarkets. Say the people behind Save Our Boozer:

"At the heart of communities across the UK, there used to be the British pub – the great British boozer renowned around the world. But now, fifty pubs are closing a week, meaning that by 2012, one in six will be gone for good. We are losing our national heritage and the lifeblood of our communities is being drained away."

Let's just hope that "revamp" doesn't mean "homogenise" (stripped floors and cream walls just aren't what pubs are about – as sadly witnessed in STB's south London local, the Effra).

We'll look forward to seeing how Jay and the teams get on...

'Save Our Boozer' is on Blighty at 8pm from Tuesday 8 December.

The Duke of Sussex, Bayliss Road, Waterloo

This pub was home to possibly the best birthday I've ever had (though due to extraordinarily cheap drinks - some of it is a bit hazy).

Brilliantly friendly staff, non-flashy crisps, proper carpet - and random karaoke! Highlights: Lionel Ritchie's All Night Long (thanks Carole for actually doing the singing bit while I tried to be some kind of Smooth Radio soul Bez by your side) and Salt n Pepa's Let's Talk About Sex, sung by two brilliant giggling teenage (but not underage, of course) girls. What a nice, ahem, family atmosphere... 

The Birdcage, Columbia Road

What a gem - nestled between Columbia Road's chi chi shops and never-open bars and restaurants (unless you're with the weekend hordes) - lies the Birdcage. 

A proper East End boozer with everything that isn't supposed to be cool in place: big screens, carpet,  flashing quiz machines, a pool table and, if you're lucky, a bit of a hard stare from another customer and his dog as you walk in for the first time.

Hopefully that'll have put you all off going - wouldn't want everyone rushing down there, that'd spoil it.