The Royal Standard

You're heading down to Blackheath for this one – it's the kind of pub that feels like it's always been there, even if you've somehow never noticed it before. The Royal Standard sits on a quiet stretch of Vanbrugh Park, the sort of place where regulars know the bar staff by name and the atmosphere is genuinely warm without trying too hard. You'll find decent real ales on rotation, a menu that doesn't overthink things (think proper pies and the kind of food that goes with a pint), and a layout that manages to feel both spacious and intimate depending on where you settle. It's exactly what you want from a local pub – somewhere you can linger over a drink, catch a match on the telly, or just exist without anyone caring.