please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
A pub that has benefitted from not interfering with its formula – if it ain't broke don’t fix the goddam thing. The walls are awash with all sorts of strange imagery, and a hotchpotch of chairs and tables meld well with this theme. The staff are generally friendly, the music good – especially when carefully chosen from the jukebox – and there’s a pool table too. Nice little beer-yard at the back, swamped with plants and flowers and things. 8.
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Surprised about the bar staff comment as I've always found the staff friendly. Very welcoming, warm pub with a relaxed atmosphere when we've been in.
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Hey Gsbam, why not ask to see my owners the next time you feel that the staff or I am not behaving that well. The few people who visit that experience some poor quality service or the like, ask to see the Manager, so that something can be done.
As it is the 2nd time you have visited and have been let down, judging by your comment, maybe I am not the pub for you.
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Nice pub let down by useless bar staff. Waited ten minutes for a drink at an empty bar despite there being three staff on - all serving people in random order. I've been coming here a while - they're always bad but this was the worst. Won't be back.
qsbam - 29 Nov 2012 21:09 |
A very nice pub, with good seating, music and friendly staff. And a really good smoking area alongside. Nice to know there's such a welcoming pub in the area. The only annoying point that we encountered here were a couple of old guys, (55+) doing Coke in the toilets; one bald, the other Scottish, who walked funny as though he'd shit himself in a dirty white panama hat. He thought it was funny, doing it so blatently and kept saying the bar manager John was a jumped up tosser, and he could do what he wanted. Sad having low life about in a decent pub like this and dangerous too for the licence holder with Police offices nearby. Apart from that, a cool pub.
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We do apologise once again for the inconvenience the closure of the pub causes to your plans. We are in the process of having the website updated and changed. The Saturday opening time is incorrect as you have discovered and we open at 6pm.
So far as private parties are concerned, we do endeavour to ensure that everyone is informed when we are closign the Griffin,but understand that occasional visitors cannot be personally advised.
We will ensure that the closure of the pub however infrequent/frequent is publicised on the site.
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On the website it says opening time for Saturday: Midday - LATE, We just visited at 14.40 on a Saturday to find it locked up tight with the curtains drawn. Either someone has changed the meaning of 'midday' or we have been "inconvenienced by (yet another) extraordinary closing time". These arbitrary closing times are clearly not 'extrordinary' but frequent which is a massive shame.
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I have to agree with popalug. This is a great pub, but they spoil it by closing for private parties - even (or especially) on Saturday nights. This seems to be madness for a pub, and I'm afraid that whatever their feedback says, this isn't well publicised. They have a website that lists everything that's on, but that never mentions that they're going to be closed - they simply put a sign up a few days before - fine if you go in two or three times a week, but useless if you pop in every couple of weeks. Such a pity because it really is a great pub.
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If other pubs went to the pub for a drink this is where they'd go.
Proper boozer for talking and drinking.
Met up in here last night prior to curry at Hot Stuff.
Arrived at 6 and loads of space. Great collection of furniture. Had a pint of the Ringwood 49er which was a bit sulfurous for my taste but followed with lovely pint of Doom Bar.
Popped back after meal for nightcap and place was full but still got a table to sit at. Good atmosphere, mix of old and young drinkers, pool table still there and popular. Efficient friendly bar staff made for a top evening.
Dan65 - 17 Jun 2011 22:22 |
Thanks for replying Vauxhallgriffin, I guess we were just unfortunate as it hasn't happened since!
Very friendly staff and reasonably inexpensive for the area. Feels welcoming and comfortable though if you're listening some of the chairs could do with reupholstering!
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This is a great pub, friendly staff, comfortable and welcoming. Has a pool table �1 a pop, although Ive not participated in it- they show films upstairs and also have a pub quiz. Good choice of ciders, which keeps me happy.
Ate there the other day for the first time and had a burger which for some reason i received rare without asking, which put me right off. Next time I shall ask for char-grilled! Would still eat there again, the rest of the food was ok. Staff are friendly and the place is clean with a good atmosphere.
Overall a good little find. Try it!
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The opening hours of the Vauxhall Griffin have been the same for nearly 4 years Popalug. Occasionally we have closed to cater for special events but forewarning is always given on notices around the pub. We are very sorry if you have been inconvenienced by an extraordinary closing time during your visit here.
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Be warned, shuts at random times. Nice and friendly, can be packed, at other times absolutely dead.
Nice selection of games if that's what you're into.
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Found this on BITE as a spot near the Oval but not too near. Enjoyed 5 pints of well kept Summer Lightening. Seats inside and room outside. Off the main road. Only 2 ales on it seemed and I guess one will not always get Lightening (unless it strikes twice!) but better pubs have a realistic number of ales on for what they sell then 5 pumps of ageing vinegar.
Certainly has a chance to be my pub for the cricket at the Oval.
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My favourite pub in Vauxhall by miles. Friendly, awesome service, genuine atmosphere completely absent from either the (newly reopened) Canton, the Fentiman or the Wheatsheaf. Unsurpassed jukebox.
Not tried the quiz... but I will!
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Only decent pub in area. Fentiman's a serious health risk. The Albert, and the Canton are shut. And now the Wheatsheff's up for sale.
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The only pub worth seeking out in South Lambeth. Always delievers the goods; unlike those pubs nearby.
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Best pub in SW8!
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Why's this place got two listing here? One of which says it's close? Far from it, it's a good pub,so tidy this listing please.
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A very pleasant pub,with a good management who are always a head of the game. Clean,well lit, with plenty of well advertised forth coming party/music night/quiz features for all. A good smoking area with cover and seating. Highly recommended. Pleasant young Geordie bar man who knows how to pour a good pin of Ale.
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Went here for the first time last night for their infamous pub quiz. Staff very friendly - didn't have to wait to be served when I went to the bar. Clientele seemed very mixed - gay/straight, young/old etc. Quiz was a good laugh and a nice way to spend a Tuesday evening. Will definately be going back.
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A PLEASANT CHANGE TO WHAT IT USED TO BE. PRAISE TO THE STAFF & MANAGEMENT FOR WORKING SO HARD TO IMPROVE IT. MAINLY A LAGER BAR, OTHERWISE I WOULD USE IT MORE OFTEN. IS IT A GAY BAR YOU ASK? WHO CARES? WHO KNOWS? THIS IS LONDON CHAPS; IT DOESN'T MATTER. AS LONG AS NOBODY PINCHES MY PINT, AS ALL ONE SHOULD CARE ABOUT. THE JUKE BOX IS A GREAT FEATURE, AS WELL AS THE POOL TABLE. AND THE PLACE IS VERY CLEAN. OTHER PUBS PLEASE NOTE AND FOLLOW. PLUS A GOOD, COVERED SMOKERS AREA. ENJOY!
anonymous - 25 Sep 2008 10:16 |
Nice enough I suppose in a comfortable sort of way and they promise events and stuff. But there is no real ale which if it is trying to be welcoming to the entire area is a real turnoff. There was some in bottles but it isn't the same. Ms Cheeky wonders if it's a gay bar (gay ... bar, gay bar) but I was unable to find out.
No more than 6 for anywhere that doesn't have real ale as it is alienating a large and often affluent sector of its potential customer base. This one gets five.
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Great place this. Whenever I've gone it's been fairly quiet. However walked past one Friday & it was heaving (out on the pavement at least).
Great Jukebox, Clean, friendly staff, pool table, NICE!
I think it attracts all sorts, some young ones off to the nearby roller disco, locals (of the younger end), maybe it has a slight alternative vibe to it. Kind of reminds me of a cleaner, much more straighter & friendlier Retro Bar in Charing Cross (and a lot more spacious).
Makes me want to take up drinking again! Maybe I will.
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is this a gay pub?
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Been here a couple of times, good beer, friendly staff and a nice atmosphere.
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