please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
6/10 seems about right, could not fault the beer, it was really in very good order (Sambrooks and I'm not usually a fan of that).
It did feel very cliquey and full of a hipster in crowd/more an eating place though.
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Having been to Powder Keg Diplomacy earlier in the day, I returned to Battersea to try the Fox & Hounds. This has the appearance of a spit and sawdust local. But make no mistake, this is now very much one of those new breed of pubs with a bohemian feel and appealing to well-heeled 20/30-somethings. If you're not in their clique, you don't feel that welcome. Nevertheless, 4 ales were on - Dark Star Hophead & American Pale Ale, Sambrooks Junction & St Austell Tribute. Has a certain appeal. But I preferred the Powder Keg.
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Fairly typical SW London dining pub, virtually identical to dozens of other Victorian corner pubs around here. Beer range was short and sensible, and the Wandle Porter was good enough, but not a place I wanted to linger, in contrast to Powder Keg Diplomacy down the road.
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I don't know when this pub was updated but all of the reviews for it seem to be from years ago. A sea-change must have taken place. This is now one of the best food pubs I have ever visited. The ambience is great - not too foody with enough 'pub' about it to keep it in GPG not GFG. The beers are excellent including a number of Hophead stalwarts - now my favourite local brewer. The food is fabulous, essentially Mediterranean and hugely authentic. The staff are top notch, friendly and animated. The prices are not silly. And all within a stonesthrow of Clapham Junction. I am sure we will be back!
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Great mid week cosy pub in the winter. Serve great food which they change regularly and is not too expensive. Nice garden to sit out in the summer and the staff are nice and friendly too - nuff said!
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Great pub. It is modest with an awesome atmosphere. It is not your Saturday night effort but pop down during the week for a drink to catch up with a mate and you cant go wrong.
I once went there and a whole lot of foxtons agents were crammed in there buying drinks with their fancy gadgets and suits - they didn't fit the part... enough said.
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It was my local till it went up market, so I only get in there once in a while now, normaly when I stagger home drunk from some other bar and just fancy a collapser on the whole the barstaff have been ok and the food looks and smells good, the beer is nothing out of the ordinary and is a bit pricey.
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I'd read good reviews about this pub, so was terribly disappointed when i met with my friends there for Sunday lunch. Everything was ok until we placed our food orders at the bar. A rude member of staff (who i was later told was the manager) had to come to our table and re-take the order because there was some confusion. The food turned up sporadically and for one of my less fortunate friends not at all. Then another friend found an elastic band still attached to his salad in his meal - the same member of staff was far from polite about it and nothing was offered to compensate. Only after both disappointed friends had gone to the bar were they refunded. The food we did consume lacked flavour and was only luke warm in some cases. And to add to my disappointment the manager was too busy to talk to me about the problems we had had, so we all left very disappointed, NEVER to return again...
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The Harveys was very good when I visited (Monday evening). My dad once described Amies Street, which this pub is on the corner of, as 'horrible', but that was many years ago and this little corner of Battersea has now been spruced up a bit. Nice to find an out of the way pub in this area. Most of the reviews here for the Fox and Hounds seem to concentrate on the food, I wouldn't know about that but the other problem with an up and coming area is that pubs seem to turn into restaurants (cf. 'Duck', formerly the Dog and Duck). Fortunately there are still enough of hoi polloi around here that pubs will continue to be popular.
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Having just moved to a new flat in Clapham we visited the Fox and Hound for the first time. Aside from the fact that the interior was a little on the dowdy side and could benefit from a lick of paint the atmosphere was good and showed promise. However the experience was quickly ruined when I politely spoke to the Bar Manager regarding a problem with the food I had ordered and her response and manner was nothing short of abrupt and rude and I was left feeling as if she was doing me some sort of favour! I would also add that the food was not particularly cheap and was pretty unspectacular. A disappointing experience and I would be in no hurry to return..."
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My "local" when visiting London. Excellent food though a bit pricey (not the usual pub grub) so it's more a nice lunch or special dinner destination than a regular eatery. Attentive staff always courteous and cheerful but maybe that's because I'm an old American geezer and they know I always leave a nice tip. Garden area out back is nice during warmer months.
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Food is decent enough, although menu a little bland. Agree to an extent with comments re: Harveys...can be variable, but at least it's on tap. Beer garden good in summer but in winter the pub can be a bit bleak, and the table layout doesn't help.
But probably best pub in the Clapham Junction area (not saying much, mind you...)
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Zaarin posts like a pub plant' it just aint that good they run out of beer, the staff in the most are dead from the floor up, The food is good but im sure would taste better if the place was self service. Oh and it's not cheap, the drink that is.
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How can you review a pub that closes all over Christmas? I was looking forward to a friendly pint while I was off for the break but no luck, seems to be shut because all its locals are not local at all!!
rating zero, shame didnt want to trail about...
anonymous - 28 Dec 2006 15:21 |
Good pub... great for a sundaylunch/afternoon of papers and wine, nice feel and yummy snacks
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Great pub, good food, much smaller and less commercial-feeling than most pubs in the area.
I do, however, have one major gripe - they serve Harveys, probably the best ale on the planet, but they keep it so badly it's almost undrinkable.
PLEASE Nice Fox & Hounds People, clean the lines, don't mess with the barrel once it's in place and leave it to settle before pouring pints. Most pubs treat Harveys with the respect it deserves, and this is the only pub where I have found Harveys and yet I can't drink it.
Aside from that, it's a great pub so go there and drink the Deuchars instead.
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I like this bar. I must admit I usually go and meet a friend here midweek. Then you can get a seat, have a few pints and a bite to eat if you want. I can imagine it's a bit full on Friday and Saturdays. If you don't like it walk back up to the main street and find something else.
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I can see the point of view of all the people who sl*g this place off. I mean, Clapham is a developing area. The house prices are increasing and the pubs, shops and bars etc are slowly changing to accommodate the new young residents.
As this area increases in price, the residents slowly change to young families, young professionals, people like that. Presumably, the 'pretentious types' people speak of.
I assume that the people who complain about these 'pretentious' types didn't speak to any of them when they came in here. Not having spoken to any of them, I assume they must simply be referring to these people's dress sense, choice of drink, accent, taste. Fair enough. But to be honest; if they don't like the types of people you get in these sorts of areas, then they probably wont like going to many pubs in these areas.
So perhaps they shouldn't go at all?
Now; I'm a lager, bitter as well as a big real ale fan, and like atmospheric, old, traditional pubs with a large choice of ales.
I also like pubs with good service, decent beer, warm wood decor, friendly atmosphere, good food and a great leafy patio garden full of friendly people who wont beat you up if you look at them funny.
I like this place. Perhaps some of the previous reviewers should question whether it is simply just their drink which is bitter?
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You're right - I don't understand why it was full. Obviously we weren't locals like you Ilikepubs and they felt they had the right to provide a level of service that was beyond disgraceful. In my case 1 v bad experience made a much longer-lasting impression than several good ones - that is the nature of the service industry.
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Not sure I quite follow the last two reviews. The individuals clearly don't like the pubs, yet they both comment that the pub was FULL! Seems like the pub must be doing something right. I live nearby and I think it's great - beer, wine, food, service. You just don't get this quality of all round satisfaction in any old pub. All in all, a great place.
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This is my Local.
Static range of three standard real ales. Food is OK.
Place is full of twits who, like most people who live in Battersea [but do not originate from there], don't understand the meaning of 'having a quiet conversation'.
Still go in v. occassionally
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Bloody awful. Full of pretentious people eating overpriced rubbish.
To top it all I actually had my half finished pint whipped out of my hand and poured down the plughole by the absolute eejit of a barman. Complained vehemently to him that you don't do that sort of thing. Any bar I've ever been in, the bar staff ask you to finish it after last orders have been called. We all vowed never to return and I would advise anybody reading this not to go.
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Oh dear what can the matter be,another fine pub has been washed down the lavatory,visited there a week ago Saturday, will never frequent there again!.
On entering the so called pub,i could sense all was not well, to the right hand side of the bar stands a large over powering stainless cooking facility with a human tossing noodles and other foods in a wok,did i mistake this pub for the local take away,no this is a pub because there is the bar with pumps on it.
Stood at the bar for about five minutes,with one of those air stewardess smiles attempting to raise some sort of response from the people over the other side of the counter, sorry bar,eventually my plaintive whimpering were answered a pint of flat Stella was pushed across the bar.
Now i know bubbles are not everything in a pint of Stella, but the odd one rising harmoniously up the glass meeting a few of its colleges just before breaking free of the non existent head would of been pleasant, alas it wasn't to be.
I asked the bar operative if she felt that the lack of carbon dioxide in the beer was indicative of the pub, the reply was "the gas must have run out" where upon that she disappeared down a foxhole and the sounds of metal against metal, hammer to brass rang out, only drained by the expletives when the sound of hammer to flesh took its place.
She appeared back into the bar via the foxhole with blood running down her arm, at this point my self feeling a little queasy, i drank my flat Stella and left, glancing over my shoulder just in time to see a box of blue plasters being opened and first aid being performed on the by now very pale bar operative.
I only wanted a quiet drink!!!
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A bit trendy and food oriented for my personal taste; clientele heavily biased towards professional/postgraduate types, but essentially a decent pub and nicely fitted out.
Ales on handpump were Deuchars IPA, Harvey's Best and London Pride - nothing unusual in terms of selection, but having sampled the last two I found them to be in exceptionally good condition. Certainly worthy of consideration for the 2007 Good Beer Guide on that evidence.
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This is a great pub -although I do live 3 doors down from it, so am perhaps a little biased.
The decor is done in a nice dark wood, and the lighting lends it a very cozy atmosphere. You walk in and your feet creek pleasantly on the floorboards as you weave between the tables.
The beer is unremarkable although there is a choice of lagers and ales. The food is great though! The menu changes almost daily, is different and of a high quality.
The staff are friendly and efficient.
The garden is so well enclosed with many leaves, that it gives the impression of a camp in the forest. Add the nice ginger cat that hangs about (it slept on my lady's lap the other day) and youve got a great hang out.
Theres no scum and no ultra ponces either. Just a good mix of young pro's and locals.
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Have freqented this pub on the way to Brighton, tasteless and expensive.
anonymous - 29 Dec 2005 16:10 |
The pub is closed over chrismas because its punters have all gone back to there spawning grounds a terrible place the keep running out of beer food is ok but just not enough to keep me there.
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Locals congregate to the right of the pub?
Most of them were 'ethnically cleansed' five years ago, have friday nite fun estate agent spotting.
Its a dump
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a really nice pub with a good mixture of people. The locals tend stand on the right hand side of the bar near to the kitchen and are a friendly bunch.
there is a good selection of beer and wine. The food is good - not the cheapest i have had but the portions are excellent and the menu changes on a regular basis.
There is a nice beer garden out the back which seems to be abit of a sun trap and also a big ginger cat!!
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A splendid boozer! Superb food that comes in very healthy portions, excellent and well kept beer and a comprehensive wine list featuring lots of new worlds. A very sunny beer garden at rear for the summer or lovely fires inside in the winter, absolutely worth a visit - understandably busy at weekends
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First experience in this boozer on Saturday after a club meeting at the nearby Latchmere Leisure Facility. Bar staff are great although the lack of any "pub grub" or snacks was disappointing. No crisps or chips but they did have mixed nuts at �1.80 a serving. Dinner service started at 7:00 although the menu is much too posh for sweaty sport lads looking for a cold beer. No chance of a burger and chips. Needless to say, I had too much to drink and left one of my kit bags in the bar not realizing until I couldn't pay for the cab home. I called the pub on Sunday to see if they still had it and they did. When I went to retrieve my belongings on Sunday, even my Mars Bar was left in tact, not to mention the �120 in my wallet. I'll be back but not with an empty stomach. Thanks.
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This place is class!
The food is awesome, as is the beer and the staff are polite and friendly.
Its a bit old school meets trendy - but works. unlike a shit o'neills or something.
get down then
then all back to mine for a tube.
you knows it.
Denzil - 9 Oct 2004 10:17 |
I think i'm missing something here
have had none of the pleasant experiences of other visitors, I always find it very dissapointing
I go back because its very near to my home.
Heather - 23 Aug 2004 22:41 |
I used to live down the street from this pub, I love it - good beer and ambience and high quality, fit barmaids. The food looked good, but could be deemed to be a little too poncy for most palets and pockets. I don't know if this has changed since I have not been there recently, but they used to keep to the old opening hours (closing after lunch and re-opening at 5pm) I strolled in at around 5pm to be surprised by being the only punter!
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I love this pub, but it is my local. Food is great, v chilled but sadly recently taken over by the entire staff of Foxtons whose pink shirted, yellow tied presence is enough to make any pub *run out of beer*
Nadia - 4 Aug 2004 00:35 |
there's nothing bad about this pub at all - it's just what you'd expect from a competent gastropub and makes a very pleasant sunday-morning-with-the-papers venue. the food, although all good stuff and an interesting menu, somehow just misses the 'really excellent' mark and comes in at around 'good'. The staff don't hug you on arrival, but I've yet to experience any unfriendlieness and on my last visit I espied a particularly nice looking garden out back.
a local - 30 Jul 2004 09:12 |
a return visit to give it another chance still not too impressed not that friendly shame could be special
john - 7 Jun 2004 23:20 |
Highly recommended! A fantastic pub, run by the excellent and friendly Atlas/Swan/Cumberland Arms team - why is it rated so low? Looking around other review sites tonight I've noticed similar negative comments, all posted in March, all claiming that the pub runs out of beer! How ridiculous. 10/10 from me (a genuine customer, a Londoner, not trendy or well off).
anonymous - 4 Apr 2004 22:01 |
pointless gastro pub with no atmos filled with self important imports from hants or surrey who have all worked hard to loose their accents this pub runs out of beer! food unexcepctional
Heather - 7 Mar 2004 00:51 |
Not an overly pleasant drinking experience found the overall atmosphere very "trendy and gentrified" at the same time.Food not bad on par with anywhere else of the same ilk. Has been known to run out of beer.
P Haines - 6 Mar 2004 11:23 |
Friendliness is the key to success in this place, I just keep wanting to go back for more. Nothing beats a great pint served with a refreshing friendly face, the food pretty darn good too"
Andrew - 28 Jan 2004 16:43 |
Top pub. has managed to keep the mix of old and new since its revamp a while back. The food is spot on and they have introduced a fine wine list.....and the old boys have stayed which is always a good sign. Get there early on a weekend as it soon fills up.
Millbank - 30 Dec 2003 15:45 |
Great little local. Good food, weel sourced wine list and ultra friendly locals. Nice little garden out the back as well.
James - 9 Jul 2003 15:28 |
