BITE user comments - TheClaw
Comments by TheClaw
I have been popping in here more often of late, as it ties in nicely with a walk to try and calm down a newborn in the early evenings, and gives me a chance to slip in a couple of cheekies before returning home.
Experience tends to be variable - this is a fairly unique pub in that it is constantly finding new ways in trying to not take your custom.
When it's quiet, the bar staff tend to hide around corners, take a couple of minutes to notice you, and then not even a hint of an apology for leaving the entire (sizable) bar unstaffed.
When it's busy, expect a long wait to get served as the 2 or 3 people serving try and cope with thirsty punters.
Add to that astronomical prices for beer (most , if not all, lagers over �4 a pint) and you can see why the Bricklayers, Half Moon and even the Star & Garter will continue to poach much of their passing trade.
Shame, as it could be incredible given it's location.
31 Mar 2011 16:14
Popped in here on Tuesday night - not for the Quiz especially, but to meet some mates.
This place has gone through so many ups and downs over the years but it looks like things are finally getting back on track. I didn't eat but the beers were top notch and the service was friendly and efficient, even when busy.
Let's hope the trend continues in to the Summer months
31 Mar 2011 16:08
I don't really know what to add after reading the other rave reviews other than that I totally agree. This is easily the best pub in Putney (which is not saying much, I grant you).
The beer is fantastic, the staff are welcoming, the locals engaging (but in a nice way), the beer garden is relatively large and well designed and they even do food (via Scoff, the Gastro-pub style food service that deliver).
My only regret is that after 4 and a half years of living in this neck of the woods I have only just discovered this gem of a place, whilst wasting my time in the Half Moon that has gone seriously downhill over the last couple of years.
I believe the Bricklayers has recently been named Greater London Pub of the year 2009, and I am not surprised.
And the best bit?
Sitting in the beer garden, sipping a perfect pint of Golden Best, watching the hordes make their way to the shockingly bad Dukes Head and the 'but we have a cheese room' monstrosity of a pub that is the Star and Garter on Lower Richmond Rd, without realising that they are walking past a perfect pub.
28 Sep 2009 10:12
Shambles.
I used to really enjoy going to this pub when it had its initial makeover, a little over 2 years ago, but I feel compelled to write an updated comment from the one I left many moons ago.
This place should be fantastic - it has a huge and varied selection of beers, the food is generally tasty and decently priced and the place has plenty of comfy seating but that is where the positives end.
Firstly, there may be a large selection of beers but I have taken back 3 different pints in the same evening because they were off - the bar staff replaced them every time, a little more annoyed each time, but agreed that the lagers were indeed off.
Secondly, there needs to be some serious re-training of the bar staff in this place. General nonchalance is one thing, but complete ambivalence to serving customers, bordering on rudeness, is uncalled for. When 10 people are waiting to be served, it is not acceptable to stand there waiting to run through a debit card when you could be serving someone.
Lastly, the Gents toilets are a disgrace - unclean, mirror still missing from the wall for I think a year now.
There are other various issues that crop up on a regular basis - the 'we are only accepting cash today' has happened several times.
I recently tried the 8 bells round the corner from here and it is a world apart (and no, I don't work for the 8 bells).
Temperance - pull your socks up; I suspect the only reason you have not lost all of your customers is because The Larrick is currently being refurbed.
19 Feb 2009 14:00
This is how all pubs should be on a cold winters day when trying to escape the hordes.
Roaring log fire, incredibly friendly and helpful bar staff (possibly the best I have ever seen in a pub, anywhere).
Top range of ales and the food, well, to offer venison steak and vension casserole, reasonably priced, that tastes fantastic, you just don't see it in most boozers.
To top it all off, table service when eating and when the bill came, no cheeky attempt to get a tip by handing the card machine back to you to try and force you into tipping before PIN time.
Magnificent - only wished to god I lived in Brighton so this could be my local.
19 Dec 2007 16:56
This is my local and I normally pop in at least once a week.
As others have noted the refurb is not too bad, although it's a shame they got rid of the long table in the corner and I'm not sure about the raised platform bit by the windows.
I normally love this pub but a couple of things have concerned me of late.
Firstly, I don't know what has happened to the majority of the usual bar staff but their replacements, mostly, are pretty shocking.
Lack of noticing who has been waiting at the bar longest, no friendliness of any description when taking your order and paying for the drinks.
One of them kept the small amount of change I was due back, when I asked her for it, she seemed put out that I would want change at all.
It may be that I have just been really unlucky the last few times I have been served, time will tell.
I do like this boozer, I really do, but something seems to have gone a bit wrong with some of the new bar staff, they just don't seem to care, which is a shame, as they always used to.
One last point - serving Staropramen now is great. �3.80 a pint is borderline theft.
5 Dec 2007 12:37
Visited the Ram yesterday after an absence of 4 years and was very impressed with the staff, range of drinks and especially the food.
They have got the blend of gastro and normal pub just about right I think, and �11 for a tasty and generous serving of Roast Pork is spot on.
As the place is tucked away, there is not much passing traffic in the way of punters so it was a little quiet for a sunday lunchtime but this in no way detracted from an impressive experience.
Why can't all pubs be like this?
15 Oct 2007 10:59
Interesting idea to keep the entire downstairs area non-smoking and looks to be proving a hit already.
I haven't tried the food yet so can't comment but the huge range of ales is particularly impressive.
The upstairs area has the comfier more loungy feel to it, but for that reason has an almost posh youth club vibe - that may just be because it has only recently re-opened but one wonders how long it will be until it has tempted over large swathes of The Larrick's regulars...
Initially impressed and it's great to have a decent pub in this area for once.
Now, how to get rid of Zulu's....
30 Dec 2006 15:02
I was very keen to see what they would do with this latest Putney refurb and I was initially impressed, but ended up feeling slightly disappointed.
It takes balls to make an entire pub non-smoking but it still seems to retain character and it's still busy so people are not obviously not staying away. (However, people are having crafty smokes in the toilets which isn't great)
To lose the entire river side room to dining-only customers though smacks of a mistake, and then we move on to the food.
I am in complete agreement with the comments about the food portions. We went there recently for Sunday lunch and were appalled at the price they charge in proportion to the size of servings. A friend ordered the fish and chips and received 6 small, square cut chips. (Honestly, we counted)
This cannot be justified in any establishment that serves food and has to change before they lose customers to the newly refurbished O'Neills (now called The Temperance) just across the bridge.
No grumbles about the beer, apart from the obvious price hike.
30 Dec 2006 14:50
Not a bad place to meet for a couple of cheekies but you wouldn't want to spend the whole night here.
Beer is fine if slightly pricey; just your average boozer.
4 Oct 2005 17:01
I gave this pub a second chance last night and wished to God I hadn't.
Had to send a pint of beer back because it was awful, only got attitude from pompous bar staff in return.
Their mates spent the time sat at the bar, leering at women and blowing smoke in the faces of blokes buying their drinks at the bar.
Avoid at all costs.
This could and should be such a top boozer, but it's not.
4 Oct 2005 16:52
I have only been here twice, both on Saturday afternoons, but I cannot fault it.
Tucked away between High St Ken and Earls Court this is an absolute gem of a boozer.
Great beer and a varied choice, original decor (although I am guessing it is owned by the same people that did The Trafalgar in Chelsea and Jolly Gardeners in Putney).
Friendly and welcoming staff and the food was of a high standard.
Easily the best pub within a half mile radius.
4 Oct 2005 16:48
For an O'Neills this is a decent little boozer.
Friendly, helpful bar staff, table service without asking and good quality beer.
I have been going here for over 5 years and always had good experiences. It's certainly a better alternative to The Northcote or the other chain bars further down the road.
27 Jul 2005 13:19
Avoid unless you are a Drunk or fancy a scrap, or both.
27 Jul 2005 12:54
I don't have a bad word to say about this Pub.
Looks slightly intimidating from the Outside (especially as you can't see in), but amazingly friendly bar staff who always give you a warm welcome.
Food is excellent, with very generous portions and they sell Magners (although everywhere does now).
Top pub.
27 Jul 2005 12:53
Lovely little pub, tucked away from the crowds on the Kings Rd.
Always found the service to be fine and the beer of a good standard.
27 Jul 2005 12:49
Huge and impressive beer garden, but you do need to get there by 1pm on a sunny day to get a table.
Food is ok, if overpriced, same goes for the beer.
The Service is truly shocking though; I agree with the comment below about the bar staff not knowing or caring who should be served next.
The inside is all faux American diner rubbish so this pub should only really be visited for the beer garden in our ridiculously short English Summer.
27 Jul 2005 12:44
Nice enough for what it is and a huge improvement on what it used to be.
But, have to agree on comments about the staff, just because you work in a pub in Chelsea, doesn't mean you have to act in a rude and arrogant manner when serving.
One final note, are you allowed to drink under age if your mummy and daddy have pots of cash?
Just wondering, because the place is full of them.
27 Jul 2005 12:40
Rah hell when busy, but then it is in the middle of Chelsea so can't really complain.
Good pub for a bite to eat and a couple of pints, but will be sure to wear pink shirt and blazer on my next visit to blend in more.
27 Jul 2005 12:34
Great, great boozer.
Gets packed for the big games so get there early to bag a spot upstairs.
Not full of freaks and posers which is unusual for a pub near the Common.
27 Jul 2005 12:01
Not really sure why it's important that a pub has good looking staff (see comment further below) but this is a generally pleasant pub to relax in.
However, has anyone else noticed that it smells odd at times (especially during the colder months)?
Avoid on a hot sunny day as it is the natural overspill for those who are spending the day in Battersea Park and fancy a cold beer.
27 Jul 2005 11:58
Agree with the comment below about the arrogant public school types when it's busy, but that's to be expected.
Food is excellent though and, without sounding too much like a girl, the home made banofee pie is incredible.
Avoid like the plague on a Sunday as that's when it's at the peak of 'Rahness'.
27 Jul 2005 11:53
God help us.
This might possibly be the worst pub I have ever been to.
27 Jul 2005 11:50
This place is like nowhere else I have been in London and for that it should get some credit.
However, the sneaky cover charge (that can range from �3 to �20 per person) needs to be looked at.
I have no problem paying that if I am sat in the bar and listening to some live music, but when I am in the far end of the beer garden and cannot hear the music, I take issue with it.
Great place to go if you want to impress someone who thinks that South London pubs are all like The Stag round the corner.
27 Jul 2005 11:45
I went here a few times 'pre-Changing rooms' makeover and found it to be pleasant enough, if in need of some minor improvements.
After the alterations last June it was a great pub to be in for 3-4 months with friendly, cheery bar staff, excellent beer and food and everyone genuinely trying hard to make it the best Gastro-type pub in Battersea.
Unfortunately, as tends to happen, a hell of a lot of people decided to make this their pub as well and it started to go downhill slightly.
This started with the Menu that suddenly stopped being updated daily, many dishes went up by a few quid, and the food was generally of a poorer standard.
Also, it now seems to have an incredibly high turnover of staff and Michael is rarely to be seen?
All in all, I liked it pre-Michael, enjoyed it for the first few months last Summer/Autumn, but it now seems to have become rather lazy of late.
Still serves a great pint of Premium though.
27 Jul 2005 11:38
This is an ok pub with a decent size beer garden.
BUT, is there really a need to charge you a minimum of �20 to use your card?
I popped in for a couple of pints with a friend, asked if I could use my card for a �10/11 round, they agreed and then promptly charged me �20 and gave me the change (without asking first).
Maybe this was a one off but it's the kind of thing that puts you off a place.
27 Jul 2005 11:29
Could be an amzing place, but isn't.
Beer was ok and I like the fact that the windows can open up on a hot summer's day, but it needs a revamp internally.
And some of the staff could do with a crash course on how to serve beer and stop flirting with moderately attractive Rahs.
Dukes Head and Half Moon are better spots for a decent pint.
27 Jul 2005 11:24
Agree with the comments about lots of rowers/rugby types, but then again it is in SW London and on the river, so to be expected.
What i can't agree on is them charging �3.15 for a pint of lager. I mean, it was a nice pint but that is taking the proverbial.
Oh, and I witnessed some poor soul pay �2 for a bowl of 6 olives. No doubt he could afford it but that's hardly the point.
Apart from that, good atmospehere and a great location to spend a few hours.
27 Jul 2005 11:06
Love this pub, no frilly cosmetic changes, just serves good beer at a decent prize and not full of freaks wearing either trucker caps or a suit jacket with jeans.
Beer garden could be jazzed up a bit though, best pub in Lower Richmond part of town.
27 Jul 2005 10:58
Great pub and I presume owned and run by the same people that transformed The Trafalgar on the Kings Rd?
My only gripe was on a Saturday night, gets very busy and some of the bar staff need to keep an eye on those that have been waiting over 10 minutes to get served, rather than just serve the pretty girls that wander in.
But all in all, a top place for a few beers with mates and have a bite to eat, long may it continue to remain unspoilt by the Coat and Badge regulars.
27 Jul 2005 10:53
Mother of god, can this pub get any worse?
I heartily agree with the comments below, this boozer SHOULD be incredible with the space, location and beer garden, but is ruined by rude, incompetent staff favouring their drinking buddies when it comes to serving.
Such a shame, but as long as it continues to attract the loud and cocky Rah Brigade, the Jolly Gardeners will remain safe.
27 Jul 2005 10:49
Non-pretentious and a friendly atmosphere make this a great place to while away a bottle of wine with someone.
Food was also excellent and not over priced.
27 Jul 2005 10:44
The Northcote, Clapham Junction
I went here last night with 2 friends and was appalled at the 3 pints of warm, flat lager served to us.
There was also a strong smell of vomit and urine, nice. We left after a couple of gulps of the foul drinks and headed further down the road.
This used to be an OK pub to watch Sport and have a few beers, not anymore.
27 Jul 2005 10:38
The Durell, Fulham
I have been coming to this pub for quite a few years, even before it went all gastro and used to have a pizza kitchen and a pool table.
Experiences have tended to vary between ok to great, but my most recent visit suggests this pub is now in safe hands and I would wholeheartedly recommend a visit.
We reserved the big room at the back for a Leaving Party and the Manager and staff could not have done more to accommodate us.
We were a relatively large group with around 50 adults and 13 babies/small children for a Saturday afternoon event - everything we asked for was handled perfectly by the Pub's lovely people - the food that was laid on was excellent and for zero hire fee or minimum spend guarantee we were bowled over.
If you are looking to reserve a room for any kind of event/party then i don't think you can do better than The Durrell. Top stuff.
12 Dec 2011 23:31