Crown & Greyhound, Dulwich

Built as a pub-cum-hotel around 1900, it boasts internal screens between drinking areas, some etched glazing, and an exquisite bar-back in the main bar. 

This a large landmark pub built to designs by busy pub architects Eedle & Meyers. The symmetrical exterior is worthy of a good look for such details as the decorative plasterwork, cast-iron lamp standards and light brackets. The character has changed inside somewhat, but on the left-hand side a couple of screens remain from the days when there would have been a multiplicity of rooms. In this area there were bars described as being for ‘the lower class of customer’ (no such problem today in well-heeled Dulwich). What is now the main bar area on the right was originally known as the saloon and to the right of this, and originally separate from it, was the panelled coffee room. The restaurant at the back used to be a billiard room and at the back left was a skittle alley. There are some good original details remaining such as etched glass in doors with the names of some of the former rooms; some re-sited snob-screens over the partition between the main bar and former coffee room ; and a good bar-back in the main bar with plenty of decoration although the counters here are plainer in comparison. But don’t miss the lavish tall friezes and the impressive ceiling decoration. There's also some pretty mosaic flooring on the left-hand side from a former corridor.

Other Heritage Pubs with snob screens are: Bartons Arms, Aston, Birmingham; Lamb, London WC1; Posada, Wolverhampton, West Midlands; Starting Gate, London N22; Crown, London N1; and Bunch of Grapes, London SW3.