Oliver's Bar, Greenwich

9 Nevada street, Greenwich, SE10 9JL

There's no where else quite like Oliver's, that's a fact. It's 33% wine bar, 33% music venue and 33%....just completely random, and I love it.

The first time I went there (thanks Sian!) I couldn't believe this perfect, quirky place had been literally underneath my feet during all my previous Greenwich jaunts.

An evening at Oliver's usually goes like this: you grab a bottle of wine at the bar at the bottom of the stairs as you arrive, you squeeze round a cute candlelit table in the main room, you drink and you talk the night away...and before you know it you find yourself totally engrossed by some excellent, yet undeniably unique, performers.

Cosy rating: 9/10 - the picture above speaks for itself (and this is with extra lights on).
Secret rating: 9/10 - completely tucked away, down an alleyway and down some stairs. Yes, that's a double down - amazing.
Best bits: Oliver's is truly unique and cannot be categorised.
Worst bits: The candlelit room pictured above is distinctly cosier than the room the other side of the bar.

The Dacre Arms, Lewisham

11 Kingswood Place, Lee, SE13 5BU

I was on the lookout for an image of the Dacre Arms on Flickr for this post when I stumbled across the joyful photo above. These ladies are the Dacre Morris team, pictured in front of this lovely neighbourhood pub in south east London in 1983.

The team began in 1981, and they are still going strong today. Indeed, on one recent visit to the Dacre Arms they were dancing outside and drinking in the pub after their jangling exertions.

I think the happiness that radiates from this image is a good reflection of the pub itself. It's no nonsense, cash only and there are usually at least one or two dogs around - basically a very nice place to be.

Cosy rating: 8/10 - lots of snug booths, swirly carpets and hops around the bar, but it's the atmosphere that truly makes this place cosy.
Secret rating: 9/10 - buried deep in the backstreets of Lee / Blackheath / Lewisham and not very near any public transport.
Best bits: Regular guest beer and a telly for sport - but muted so conversations can continue. The beer garden is a bonus.
Worst bits: Not a great place for wine - they only have those mini bottles. No food. But both minor quibbles.

Image courtesy of George Plempler - thanks George, I adore this set.

The Blythe Hill Tavern, Catford

Grab a squidgy stool and make yourself at home (photo courtesy of Neil  Muir / All Things Plants)

Whenever I go to the Blythe Hill Tavern I always have a really, really nice time. The first time I went there it was out of necessity, as it was the only place where we could kill 20 minutes (which turned into 40) when the curry house nearby double booked our table. I'm so glad they did - rather unassuming from the outside, the Blythe Hill Tavern is a charming and welcoming pub, and everything that a local drinking establishment should aspire to be.

And I'm not the only person who feels this way, if the fact that it this year won the CAMRA prize for south east London pub of the year is anything to go by.

It pleases me immensely that all the bartenders - who provide table service once your first drinks are nearing the end of their lives - proudly wear shirts and ties, and it's all too easy to while away a smiley evening in here with your bottomless drinks for company.

Cosy rating: 7/10 - three separate rooms, two of which have fireplaces and are distinctly cosier than the one without. My favourite is the room at the back.

Secret rating: 7/10 - popular with locals and lovers of well-kept, quality ale.

Best bits: Great place to watch the footie and other sports, with different rooms showing different events. Apparently there's a lovely beer garden, too, though I've yet to discover it.

Worst bits: No food as far as I know, so it's truly hard to say whether it's worth the trek to Catford if you live nowhere near this spirited little pub.

Red Door cafe, Greenwich

Red Door cafe (thanks @Katereddoor for the image!)

Originally a gallery, Red Door in Greenwich has somehow managed to squeeze in a cafe and shop into its cute premises just outside of Greenwich Market.

Cosiness is therefore enforced, since it is soooo snug, and if it weren't for one of the best mochas - if not the best mocha - I've ever slurped, you could argue that perhaps you're a little too squeezed in.

Thankfully the chirpy table service, award-winning brownies and the aforementioned coffee more than make up for this, and it's definitely one of Greenwich's nicest and most welcoming spots. They do sarnies as well as cakes, and I'll certainly be taking my parents there next time I'm in the area.

Cosy rating: 7/10 - it's all charmingly rickety and you'll have no choice but to get to know your fellow patrons!
Secret rating: 7/10 - It seemed to have a healthy, steady flow of custom, and everyone who wanted one of the few seats available was not disappointed.
Best bits: The coffee (properly hot, too. Lukewarm drinks = pet hate) and the brownies.
Worst bits: On a busier day you might have to try your luck elsewhere, but watch this space as they're hoping to open up their upstairs living room to customers soon, and have lots of other nice plans in the pipeline.

Mr Lawrence wine bar, Crofton Park

Mr Lawrence wine bar

Mr Lawrence is very much off the beaten track, but for wine lovers it's a must-visit. Located next to a wine merchant of the same name, this creaky bar adorned with fairy lights in the windows is an absolute corker (excuse the pun), serving dozens of wines by the glass. Want something to soak up the booze? Then try a steaming cassoulet or a hearty meat and bread platter.

This bar has got so much going for it, but because of its unexpected location you can always get a table - my favourite place to sit is in the window, where you can huddle round the dark wooden table, polish off a bottle of good plonk and enjoy the rustic grub while watching the world (and the 122 bus...!) go by.

For proper wine connoisseurs there's a great review of Mr Lawrence over on Londonist.

Cosy rating: 6/10 - dark, wood-panelled walls, twinkly lights, but not much in the way of sofas.
Secret rating: 9/10 - it's too secret for its own good. Everybody go there, NOW!
Best bits: The huge selection of wines (by the glass). Also a large range of Belgian ales for those who prefer beer.
Worst bits: Food selection isn't massive, but what they do, they do very well.

The Pelton Arms, Greenwich

The Pelton Arms

Greenwich isn't short on pubs, let's be honest, but frequently they can be teeming with tourists. To get away from the crowds, try The Pelton Arms along the river in the east of Greenwich - a gorgeous local pub serving comforting food at decent prices, with squidgy sofas, lovely fireplaces, a wide range of ales and wines and some great pub games.

Getting there is easy, just a stroll along the river past the Trafalgar Tavern and the Cutty Sark Tavern (also both good Greenwich pub options, just not as cosy). Or, if you're feeling lazy or the weather isn't conducive to a riverside wander, just get the train to Maze Hill instead.

Cosy rating: 8/10 - some lovely fireside chairs.
Secret rating: 7/10 - it's just that little bit further out of Greenwich and off the river that most people wouldn't know it's there, but it's popular among locals so worth booking for Sunday lunch. 
Best bits: Reasonably-priced home-cooked food, friendly service and warm atmosphere
Worst bits: I've heard it's not dog-friendly, but happy to be corrected. No river view unlike other aforementioned pubs, but that's why they're so much busier.