The Capitol in Southwark

A lovely building and with the usual good wetherspoons prices but the staff are so miserable and the dirty plates just sat ignored even though the place was very quiet.

It is well cheap here. Food and drinks were served quick enough through the app so we could avoid queues. The food was pretty average as you might expect. Cocktail was surprisingly good. Wasn’t too dirty. Toilets ok. Outside looked grim. They have darts available here unlike most Spoons.

I couldn’t agree more with a previous comment. The staff have a pathological aversion to, or don’t know how to, clear a table. On any visit I can guarantee there’ll be tables littered with glasses, cans, bottles, plates, old food etc etc. The sticky mess that accompanies all of the above abounds -along with the accompanying midges/flies. It’s hardly rocket science - get a grip!

My only considerable criticism about this place is the total lack of awareness of the staff as to what constitutes a pleasant environment. I was here for 90 minutes - a clean table that was cluttered with glasses /dirty plates was virtually impossible to find; those that were empty were dirty, dog-eared menus and crockery/ food debris abounding- I was even watching some customers clearing their own tables to make space for their glasses. The one member of staff who did emerge to interact with the great uncleaned/untidied, had a cleaning fluid container hitched to her belt. She either couldn’t reach it or was away on the day they did ‘squirting’. Ne’er a drop was sprayed. I guess with ‘spoons’, you get what you pay for

Had an early dinner with our teen kids after a trip to the Horniman Museum, didn't have much issue, the server was a tad grumpy but he might have just been having a bad day, your kitchen staff are lovely though, they had a good chuckle when I told them how much i enjoyed the brownie i had for dessert! Definitely worth a second visit when we next visit Forest Hill

17/8/20 - We three middle-aged Londoners thought we would take advantage of the Eat Out Help Out initiative in these easing of Covid restrictions times. JDW is already good value for money in their unique establishments. Once again we find ourselves in our favourite JDW in South London - The Capitol in Forest Hill. The COVID aware system is the same with one way in and out, screens by spaced out tables, disposable menus, Nhs Test & Trace forms to fill in. We ordered a late lunch and the cheerful and busy waitresses saw to our orders, cleaning the table that we sat down at. The wonderful heritage space that JDW has preserved got busier in the later afternoon, including families. The food and drinks came quickly as usual and were piping hot. My (basic) Mangaloreaj Cauliflower Curry was quite tasty if the sauce was well mixed in, the rice was good. My friend's Pasta Alfredo was very tasty, which I confirmed. Our friend had scampi and chips as the Cod had run out by then. No complaints though as they were fine. A shared quinoa salad went down well for the vitamin fix and I had a (new) Vegan Chocolate and Salted Caramel Tart with coconut milk ice 'cream'. This was very tasty albeit a bit sticky and gooey in the end. No problem! We left around 16:15 thoroughly sated with the good beers downed too!

Horribly rude staff. The manager Karen should be sacked for her blatant disregard for customer service.

A woman (aptly) named Karen , verbally abused the group of friends I with. I understand everyone has bad days however the way she shouted at my friends and I was unacceptable and refused to serve us for no reason wasn’t okay.

The meals are very reasonably priced because they are standardised and undemanding for the staff. Pleasant enough. The wines are unusually inexpensive. But then - this a Weatherspoons. You have to put up with a whole raft of Farargist nonesense in the leaflets but you want a cheap and cheeful meal this could be the place.

Our beer was served in plain glasses even though they have branded ones behind the bar. Pure laziness and lack of care

What do you you expect? Eating is a virtue This is a cinema How did it get here East of Brixton Rest your wearyvhead Soothe that worried brow Place your order lickedy split Obvious exceptions are the Turkey option On Sundays don't cuss here Never in doubt is the kindness of staff Sing odiously at the baby at table 5

This is a smelly, dirty Wetherspoons with the usual upsides - good beer, cheap drinks. Toilets always seem to be flooded. Decor is very interesting in this listed building. Go once for a pint and see the building.

We went in half term to the Horniman and the cafe there was so crowded we got a bus down to Forest Hill. OK for families and food was reasonable.

I came to the Capitol Forest Hill expecting to have a decent night and some drinks with I went to the Capitol Forest Hill expecting a decent might and a few pints with the locals. When I left later that night, I knew I would never be the same again. The first thing I noticed was the building itself. A beautiful Art Deco theatre reworked with a bar and an enormous area filled with tables and chairs. The space is truly exquisite. But more than the space itself, what moved me most profoundly, at least in those initial moments, was the vibe. After a few seconds inside it hit me, building in intensity in waves, until I was forced to sit down. Incredible euphoria, mixed with a moving, nostalgic sadness, and then transcended by that deep contedness that comes with knowing yourself. This feeling peaked within five minutes, but remained in the background for the 8 life changing hours I was to spend at the Capitol Forest Hill. As well as this powerful aura which permeated the pub at every level, the atmosphere, the vibe of the crowd, was phenomenal. Never have I known kindness like this. Never have I felt so welcome. It was as if I had always known them, like they were my brothers and sisters. Almost like they were extensions of my self. And the food. Dear lord the food. Words cannot describe the taste sensation that I experienced. It was like a million orgasms all taking place inside my mouth. I think I had the tuna baked potato. All of this, I have to say, would have been enough for a truly spectacular evening which would have shattered my image of reality and reconstructed it all the more beautifully. But for the love of all that is holy, none of it comes close to the taste of the beer. Not once in my life since have I ever come close to the feeling of pure elation and bliss that surged through my body, mind, and soul with my first sip of Shipyard at the Capitol. I could go on but I will cut off my review here as I need to head to the clinic. Go to this pub.

It is such a shame that such a beautiful art deco former theatre should be spoiled by rude and unwelcoming staff and poor quality food. Avoid.

This is one of the most disgusting violent places I have ever frequented. The manager was rude and confrontational and I was held by the throat by one of the doormen. I will never set foot in this establishment again . Which is unfortunate as I have never had this disgusting treatment in a Weatherspoons before.

Family tradition to go out for Christmas Eve lunch. Chose The Capitol as it is on a bus route so we could all have a drink with our meal. Used the app to order our food, as we had on many other occasions in different restaurants. Food was served within a few minutes. Good choice of dishes off the menu- changed since we were last at a Whetherspoons.

Después de una visita al Museo Horniman, entramos a Forest Hill para tomar una copa en este pub de Wetherspoons. Es un local grande y espacioso en un cine antiguo.Pasos hacia abajo en el área de la barra principal. Hay una zona exterior para fumadores.El personal es muy amable y servicial. Precios buenos como es un Wetherspoons.Muy agradable para sentarse en este pub con su techo muy alto y los viejos accesorios de cine detrás de la barra.Aseos limpios.Probablemente sea el lugar más barato para tomar una bebida (caliente o fría) en esta área de moda. Mucho más barato que los refrescos en el Museo Horniman. . . . . . . . .El museo bien merece una visita. La mayoría de las exposiciones son gratuitas, pero se agradece una donación.

This Wetherspoon is really lovely. It’s an old theatre so it’s nice and open with lots of space and it looks visually stunning. I’ve been twice and my food/drinks have arrived in a reasonable time with no issues.

Unique 30s cinema with all original interior including seats in upper circle. Food and service good. I recommend the steak Tuesdays. Friendly staff and fast service. A beautiful historic building put to good use.

Visited 5 Wetherspoon's in the area on the same Sunday and this was head and shoulders above the rest. A lovingly restored old cinema building, a clean environment and friendly and prompt service at the bar. Really enjoyable.

Me aventuré a Forest Hill para explorar el Horniman Museum (ver mi otra crítica) y no podía dejar pasar la oportunidad de ver dentro de este único Wetherspoons.

Además del entorno impresionante el restaurante está en un antiguo teatro de algún tipo - la comida era estupenda. El personal está bien. Condimentos completo. Acceso muy fácil, justo en el centro de "cit" de la colina de bosque con trenes y autobuses en la puerta.

Un interesante Wetherspoons en un antiguo cine, con muchas de las características art decó muy bien restauradas. Era un gran cine y es un gran pub, y este es uno de los problemas. . . Tiendes a perderse en el espacio y luego ves que otras personas "perdidas" están allí. . . pero si quieres una gran selección de cervezas, una excelente relación calidad-precio, comida normal y personal bien entrenado, y no te importa el ambiente extraño y algo deprimente que con frecuencia se encuentra en los pubs Wetherspoons, no te decepcionará.

Loved this venue. A converted cinema provided a great backdrop for our lunch.

This old cinema is now a Wetherspoon's pub, with fabulous Art Deco style bar where the screen was. Great atmosphere and the usual excellent choice of ales.

Super endroit .très bon accueil . Budget super abordable boisson comprise. Nourriture nickel. A faire et refaire

Visited for a lunch time meal, only one person serving behind the bar with 7-8 people waiting to order.

Im not sure if this is a chain but it doesn't seem very 'family oriented'. The food is ok the drinks ok, they have a room upstairs I haven't tried yet. Staff seem ok, will give it another chance soon

It's a shame your pub isn't doing the order and pay service that is advertised on your menu's.. I have the app. But your pub the capitol isn't listed. Is this being rectified as it is advertised on your menu's.

Buena variedad de cervezas y precios más bajos, pero eso es donde termina. Es un lugar fresco, pero es tan mermado y el ambiente deprimente empeorar y muebles gastados regimentedly ordenados que sólo quieren su bebida y poder salir! Sería un buen local de música de tamaño mediano!

Went with the family for a late lunch. Food was OK but reasonably priced. The ambiance was a little dull but I was impressed with the service.

Es un pub super, convertido desde un antiguo cine maravillosamente conservados con características. Como con todas las de poons, la cerveza es excelente y la comida es buena y todo es mejor que cualquier otro pub de cadena.

Fuimos allí para pescado y patatas fritas en un viernes por la noche. Después de esperar ser servido por más de 5 minutos me dijeron que estaban fuera de pescado. Tuve que consultar con mi esposa, como a lo que quería como una alternativa, y la idea de hacer cola de nuevo para 5 minutos estaba fuera de la cuestión, así que nos fuimos.

Tenía un gran desayuno, que llegó en un plato frío. Las croquetas de patata sabor como si había sido hecho en el anterior chip noches pan. Esto, junto con la placa fría arruinó el desayuno.

A glorious listed Art Deco cinema converted into a Wetherspoons.Have been coming here for best part of ten years, usually for breakfast or a quick drink on the way home. Standard Spoons fayre but better done than most. Usually come now on Sunday morning. Quiet and friendly. Good breakfasts and coffee. You simply can't complain at £2.69 for a sausage sandwich and a latte. Sadly up for sale as now more competition and different demographic locally. Hope it's around for a good while yet.

I have been in this hotel three times, as always it's been great, nice staff, nice rooms and great food

Ordered food and was told ot would be ready in 10 mins. 20 mins a couple who had came in AFTER us had their served to them.The previous visit I ordered food 3 times none of which they had. I've had enough of this lousy pub

I came here for a few drinks in January with a group of three and overall the drinks were cheap but of a good quality. The interior of this place was stunning though with the pub still retaining the old cinema feel to it, even showing films on Wednesdays. Not a must visit for London but a solid pub nonetheless.

Sad to say but after eating a haloumi wrap I was so unwell.Food took longer than usual to arrive. Maybe a bad sign?It is now 4am on the morning after. I have parted company with the wrap and am starting to feel much better. Think i will give the menu a miss next time.

Went there for the first time.Great use of an old cinema, impressive features, plenty of seating and serves good which is reasonable for a cheap bite.Pints were cheap ranging from just over £2 a pint, which is super value consider some pubs close by are selling pints for around a fiver....

I am a fan of Wetherspoons already, you know your gonna get good choice of beers and good value where ever in the country, particularly in and around London. This is as good as any, in a lovely old cinema keeping a lot of film memorabilia around the place. Great for a late morning visit with good value breakfast and a good pint of Guinness, great way to start the day.

From the outside, this Wetherspoon venue is outdated and for me has no charm. It does not help that double decker buses stop outside polluting the enterance to the pub. Once inside though, the decor is a good standard. The tables are well spaced and not close together. I was served straight away and the choice of beer on offer was good. Did not partake in any food.

A classic JDWetherspoons in Forest Hill South London. This one has been thoughtfully and carefully integrated into a lovely old Art Deco cinema building. A pint of beer and a meal here can be purchased for under £8.00. Its the usual successful JDW formula but clean tastey food, served up quickly in an atmospheric pub makes for an ideal lunch.Well done to you for serving good beer in a quirky setting which clearly is appreciated by the locals and us visitors alike.

Sadly the only bit of my "full English breakfast" that was cooked properly was toast, fried egg and warmed up beans. Bacon has never seen the grill. The food gets microwaved. I've experienced that before and also heard from staff that this procedure happens. Other than interesting place itself and helpful staff (sometimes) I'd definitely not recommend this place at all. Absokutely not for food

I've been eating in this Wetherspoons for a few years, but recently the quality of food is not so guide. Also they seem short staffed at lunchtime and the manager is not around. Quite often they run out of basic items, such as bread, tomatoes, cucumber etc, and the sausages are not very nice now. However the food is still good value. And it is a lovely building.

In a cinema opened 1929 with really excellent interior. Standard Wetherspoon offerings, but worth iy for the ale and ambience alone.I do concur with some recent reviewers that the quality of some of the food has declined of late, and the axing of Sunday Club is a very bad move by the chain. But the Friday fish was excellent and the portion huge

Some friends and I had breakfast at the Capitol. I've been here before and I love it for the fact that Wetherspoons have prevented a beautifully grand cinema from being pulled down and replaced by stunning apartments.In other ways it's a normal Wetherspoons with a decent range of drinks and a cheap and broad menu. Unfortunately the breakfast I had on this particular was awful - a stone cold eggs benedict. When I was ordering, someone else complained their breakfast was cold and the server said she'd go and microwave it, so I didn't bother complaining.I'm sure I'll be back soon though for a beer and a cheap bite to eat.

This place is amazing. nothing better than having a relaxing pint on a nice a relaxing place with some friends. from old theatre look of this place to the awesome food. For £7, u get Half of a whole chicken+ fries+coleslaw + a pint of any beer.dont think there is a better deal than that. or Burger+all trimmings + pint of beer for £5. c'mon, and so good too.

All chips and instant mash, No Sunday Lunch, Even the chicken wings are no longer whole, but, portions of chicken wings,,,,When I asked I was told that these bits of chicken wings are what wetherspoons call chicken wings.... No longer seems orientated towards family, quality or value. Honest food for honest customers please....

Enjoying the Hazy Hog CiderGreat choice of cask Beers and Ciders plus a good selection of the regular Beers Good selection of Pub Food Love the Feel of the old Cinema Great for a bite and a drink with Friends at an affordable price

I can't help it.I love how cheap and cheerful it is.Cheep has a time and place. I was hungry. Food was tasty. I was full.

Standard Spoons. Food and drink OK but absolutely NO ambience whatsoever, OK if you want a quick pint or snack but not great for much else.

I'll be honest I don't go to a Wetherspoon's expecting gourmet food! So, some of the reviews here seem a little harsh in their criticisms. I have eaten at the Capitol, on an irregular basis since it reopened as a JDW, and have always been very happy with the food and the service. Along with its local-ish sibling, The Moon And Stars, it is amongst the best JDWs in London... I have been to quite a few! The staff and their experience changes from visit to visit, so there have been times when i have been served by bar staff with CamRA levels of enthusiasm, and times when i have been served by staff with little interest in my chosen tipple, However I have never been served by someone at the Capitol who looked bored, or had a negative attitude to their work, the opposite in fact!If you eat out expecting a little gourmet dance on your plate then go across the road, where you can get a higher quality of food, and the odd bottle of "Craft Ale" both at an incredibly inflated price. If you want good value, good beer, good food, staff that aren't up themselves, in a really good setting I recommend the Capitol.Admittedly, JDW probably doesn't sit too well with the "Gastro-pub East Dulwich Set" who are taking occupation of much of Forest Hill, but I have fitted ventilation systems in a lot of those gastro-types of places and behind the scenes they are generally not that great!Other interesting fact about the Capitol is that it features in the debut novel "Night of the Living" by Forest Hill author, Freeland George.

A beautiful venue for Wetherspoons which I think are usually very cramped. The Capitol is a gem in Forest Hill as a restored cinema, which allows for lots of space and light. We visited on Christmas Eve lunchtime and the the service even on such a busy day, was fantastic as was the quality of the food. A good variety of dishes catering for most tastes.

We had lunch recently with friends, ordering various meals and drinks and all enjoyed our food and drinks. Were served by friendly and professional staff and the food was well presented. The Capitol has a friendly atmosphere which cannot be said for many pubs.

Ignore the 'spoons snobs. Situated in a former (1930s?) cinema this enormous pub/restaurant oozes glamour. As you'd expect excellent value and a a friendly atmosphere.

I am often in the Capitol and cannot understand the bad reviews, I can only think someone is being very vindictive and perhaps owns a bar or café nearby?I have only had good service and food and it is suitable for a lady going in on their own.

We went to the Capitol for breakfast for the whole family and had 5 traditional breakfasts. The food was tasty and came promptly. Our server Charlie gave us literally outstanding customer service going above and beyond to make us feel welcome.We will definitely be back.Thank you for a great start to the weekend!!!

This Hotel is very good situated. Near Harrods. The Service is fantastic. So friendly and nice. The rooms are very clean and in an quite genuine British style. The bathrooms are very fresh. The breakfast is sooo good. We haven't eaten in their restaurant. But next time. So

Having read the reviews for this pub I cannot believe the comments as my Wife and I regularly eat here and have NEVER experienced bad service or food, the staff are very friendly and helpful and my Wife does not feel intimated going in alone as you can in other pubs.I do not understand the bad comments and feel some people have to find something to moan about.Good value for money pub and if you are in a big group they are happy to accommodate you nothing is too much trouble for the staff.

On paper this pub ought to be good - vintage former mega-cinema with plenty of character in a fashionable part of London right next to the Overground, and owned by a chain with the financial muscle to make it work. Regrettably though this Wetherspoons seems to be a serial underachiever. The exterior could do with a little attention. The interior starts well but runs out of steam in the main auditorium. The seating is generic and unimaginative (the high seating and high tables look completely incongruous in this space). Someone has put in a bit of thought into making the bar look good, but nonetheless it still doesn't look like it belongs in the place. Worst of all, there are two (smallish) televisions in the corners showing the news/sport, but no one seems to have grasped the (obvious) opportunity to buy a digital projector and beam that same content onto where the old cinema screen used to be! I suppose at heart this is a local pub for local people. I went in on a Sunday lunchtime and was surprised to find the place mostly empty and populated almost exclusively by over-40s geezers. This is all well and good in a small corner boozer at the heart of a close-knit community, but not when trying to fill up a frankly enormous pub in hipster land. The staff were efficient but not particularly friendly. The food was Wetherspoons average. I found the interior cleaner than average. Don't get me wrong - this is a perfectly serviceable chain pub, but given some Imaginative management and a bit of investment it COULD BE SO MUCH MORE!I suggest: a) tart up the exterior and put in a neon sign b) rework the bar so that it blends in with the stage and lose the show-off top c) put in a screen above the bar and beam the telly onto it (lose the small TVs) d) put in new seating (such as low square tables with bench seating round three sides, the open side facing the screen) e) cheer up the staff

Visited the capitol again today, and yet again been let down by the food. I ordered the gammon and eggs, and what I got certainly didn't look like eggs. The bar staff were very good today, its a shame the shift manager who brought the food out, allowed it to be served like this. I would be very interested in if they reply to this review.

Went with my hubby & kids. Staff looked bored and as if we were inconveniencing them by being there. Manager on duty stomped around, didn't acknowledge us. Customer service was poor but food was ok although a few items out of stock & no fruit bags 4 kids. Wont be returning.

Came here to meet friends. Very busy on mid Friday evening. Built into she'll of old Art Deco cinema. Odd to find big windows on side walls. Bar is where screen/stage may have been. Balcony at back, not sure if used as boozing dining area. Several TV screens to watch sad end of Andy Murrays semi final. Several benches outside and this around the back offered cool shade under trees until martinet security woman insisted we come back inside. Visit coincided with promotion of extensive range of ciders. Booze as ever very good value and properly kept. Food a considerable let down. Despite having been paid for up front our uncomplicated orders got lost or ignored twice and eventually arrived about an hour after first request. Good evening though.

I visited this pub for food with my boyfriend recently. He ordered a Steak with peppercorn sauce. It came out dry so my boyfriend asked if his peppercorn sauce was coming to be questioned to whether he ordered it and then told they had run out. After a conversation with the waiter they agreed he would bring out another sauce available instead. After waiting a couple of minutes my boyfriend went up to the bar to explain he was still waiting for his sauce. He received no apology and asked if he could have some mustard instead, which the barman begrudgingly got and handed to him without saying a word. The waiter never arrived back with the steak sauce. My boyfriend was not too concerned, we understand things run out, but there's no excuse for no apology or explanation which I think was terrible as the staff seemed more interested in speaking to each other than providing good customer service.I have been to other Wetherspoons and have always been impressed but I was really disappointed by this experience. It really doesn't take much to be polite.

Poppy and Banjo were recently having a meeting in the Waldorf Aldwych, and got talking (roped into talking) with a two past middle-aged couples whom appeared fairly well to do and were playing dominos. To be holed up on the executive floor for a weekend, is not exactly cheap, yet they had been stealing near full bottles bottles of liquor from the executive lounge. They said they did this to offset their expenditure. So come Poppy and Banjo's brief visit to The Capitol and the scene was in many ways much the same, but to a differing scale. Punters offsetting the want for the experience that good pubs can offer (comfort ambience, good music, quality food etc) with this turgid experience of a wasted space, with young folk hawking around the loafing wasters, eagerly looking for the best deal on available illegal produce. The area needs a decent entertainment venue, Whetherspoon could do the honourable thing and return it to such.

went in to this very nice pub today have been before and always been great but today was out standing was very with customers for breakfast and you could see the staff where stretched for what ever reason as i have always had good experiences there i was happy to wait when i got served the staff was all smiling and very welcoming and polite and was happy to help the breakfast was as good as always if not better and not once did i see the staff loose there cheer it put me in a great mood for the rest of the day

so i basically came here with a friend to do some uni work after being in the library we wanted a change of scene. walked in and decided to order some food and a few drinks, i went to the till waited for quite a while as it was busy and there weren't that many staff present. ordered food and rose wine, the wine seemed to have bits floating in it, i told the person behind the bar, she gave me a funny look and then said 'its the bubbles its the way its been poured' i'm pretty sure i should be able to tell the difference between bubbles and floating UFO's in my drink. so anyway she poured it again (after realizing that there were bits floating in it, she never actually admitted it to me and didn't apologies either.) then she said, i don't know what wrong with it what else would you like... well there should have at least been some kind of recommendation to what else i could have. food came, with NO NAPKINS and NO CUTLERY... how unheard of.. all the staff her look push up and vex like they really don't want to be here. which is a real shame as i used to come here loads.. wont be doing it again though, Brockely Whetherspoons has much better service don't waste your time.

Steak night and they run out of steaks at 8pm? What a joke!No sauce with the spicy prawns as they had run out but weren't told on ordering.Bar staff (I won't name her!) Was damn rude! Must have inconvenienced her while updating Facebook....Won't bother coming again. I'd sooner drive to the one in Crystal Palace or Penge.

This is an area I do not visit regularly but as I can usually. rely on Weatherspoon restaurants I decided to have lunch .The previous reviewer must have been very unlucky as I found the cleanliness of the restaurant very acceptable and the quality of the meal as good as any in the chain. The staff were all very friendly

This is a nice big pub, but is let down by being bloody cold, slow table clearing, dirty cutlery, but the service is good though