The Shortlands Tavern has been run by landlord Geoff Keane since 2012.
One key transformation was the conversion of the former car park into a large beer garden, which Geoff said is a “real suntrap” and has previously won recognition at the Bromley in Bloom Awards.
“It’s just a nice place to chill out – it’s looking lovely at the moment and we’ve got DJs coming in, so it’s good music and good vibes,” Geoff said.
The beer garden, along with the pub’s interiors, will play a key role in its summer programme as the venue shows the World Cup.
Geoff told News Shopper that the pub is “all geared up” to welcome as many as 700 football fans, with a total of six screens – four inside and two in the garden – showing matches throughout the tournament.
“It’s going to be a first come, first served basis,” Geoff explained.
“We’re a bit scared, to be honest, with the amount of people we’re expecting, but it’s going to be fun.”
He added that the pub will operate flexible opening hours to accommodate different kick-off times and will be serving a wide range of food, including pizzas, BBQ dishes, burgers and wings, alongside a selection of cocktails.
The pub will also host live performances to coincide with matches, as well as food and drink offers, with the venue already decked out in England flags.
“We’ve got flags everywhere, so it’s looking the part,” Geoff said.
Some visitors may recognise the pub from its previous appearances on TV. The venue has been used in a number of productions, including the ITV series Liar, starring Ioan Gruffudd and Peter Davison, as well as music videos such as Squeeze’s Nirvana.
The pub has also gained attention for its inventive “Guinness Cabs” – a concept Geoff introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic, delivering takeaway beer during lockdown restrictions.
While the cabs are no longer in regular use, they have since become a hire feature for events.
“We managed to get through Covid by selling milk jugs of beer and Guinness – doing that got us out of trouble, and even now people still love them,” Geoff said.
Outside of the World Cup, the pub hosts a regular calendar of events, including quiz nights, bingo, live music and DJ sets, with Geoff crediting customers for creating a welcoming atmosphere.
“We’ve got a real mix of everything here, and we get a great mix of customers – both locals and people from further afield,” he said.
