please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
This pub has just been refurbished and looks quite nice. However, the staff have a real ' we're the new place to be and don't need your custom' attitude. We walked in at 1pm on Sunday for lunch only be told all 250 meals for the entire day had been fully booked. Despite being empty. When I suggested to the manger this was slightly bad planning and he could've kept some free for walk ins he simply smiled and said ' we're fully booked mate'. My friends and I, who all live locally, will not be going back.
|
Well I guess you can't please everybody. WE wandered in here on saturday to go the toilet! Had a drink while I waited for my wife and immediately noticed how warm it was compared to the day outside. A big open plan pub with a fire at one end. Most of the tables were taken and food was served until 9pm. Had half pint of Directors and a full pint of Youngs Special. Not a lover of Youngs beers as they generally don't do anything over 4.5%. However, I enjoyed what I had and even stopped for half chicken and chips and the 6oz burger and chips. Perfectly ok and my wife even remarked she'd like to come in again. It's true, there were blokes at one end cheering on the rugby whilst at the other end horse racing took centre stage. But it was all good humoured and I'd be quite happy to pop in on my own should I be in the area agaIn.
|
Stopped in here for a lucky lager after a curry at the Lahore Karahi across the road.
The best I can say is that it broke the walk back to the Tube station. It's a pretty big place and there must have been 10 punters in max. Okay, it was a Monday evening but The Antelope was nicely busy on the same night.
No atmosphere at all and the music didn't help (EMF and Metallica?). The beer was decent enough but considering how much we'd enjoyed The Antelope earlier I can't think of a single reason why I'd ever go back to The Castle.
Totally mediocre.
|
I held a party in the Castle's function room last night. They did a good buffet and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves, so well done to the Castle and their staff.
|
Good decent old fashioned pub, friendly staff, good Youngs real ales, mixed group of customers, worth a visit if you are in Tooting.
|
Dropped in here last Thursday night as The Antelope was busy and we wanted a seat. Bad move. Beer that was sour and bitter, and a barmaid with a face to match. As for the assorted customers? Bottom feeders at best. Once a cosy, friendly local, now hitting the skids.
|
Pretty bland Youngs establishment on Tooting High Street. Youngs Bitter & Special plus St Austell Tribute were the only beer options. The clientele was mainly obnoxious football fans of either Liverpool or Manchester United who were intent on shouting at one of the TV screens whilst their teams were playing. The interior is faily dark and lacks any character. Not recommended.
|
Upper end Youngs prices unjustified by quality of service, however the ales are usually good. Food indifferent and overpriced given quantity served up. With its prime location it should be much busier - you could go there on a Friday or Saturday night and be forgiven for worrying that a timeslip had dumped you back 4 or 5 days. Management is of the hands-off variety. Sunday quiz is good but they should 'push it' more. Hard to envisage this place making money from drinking - car park must subsidise it.
|
Oh dear, went in for a quick pint before a curry and it was like walking into the film 28 days later, but the zombies were just having a sit down and a pint, presumably to recharge their batteries after a busy day of ripping people to bits. The poor bar lady looked absolutely bereft of spirit to be working and I wanted to give her a cuddle, poor lass. I had a pint and was surprised when it was �3.50, somebody else had got an appletize which had come to almost �3. I can stomach a wake like atmosphere in a pub but not when they are charging top end Youngs prices. A sad little place, go here if you have ever wondered what purgatory is like or if you are too full of zest and zeal and want to have some sucked out of you by the air.
|
Does Pythagoras still drink there?
|
I was in The Castle for swift couple on the same day as the Charity Shield game and to be honest, I felt like I was getting in the way. Not the greatest fan of Youngs beer and if there is a bitter, that is more bitter than Youngs bitter I have not yet tasted it. Not too much to ask bar staff to turn the labels around if the beer is not on. Apparrently the cider was top notch but the soft drinks for the littles were shocking.
|
There's a lot of crap pubs around Tooting Brodway but the Castle is a cut above most of them.
Long single room with a bar almost the whole way along the right hand side (and a function room at the back). Mixture of wall benches, high tables and traditional tables the interior is very comfortable and on a Thursday night not too crowded or noisy ( in fact if pressed I would say slightly worringly quiet). Toilets are very spacious and clean.
Clientele tended towards the older end but emhatically this is not Wetherspoons.
A comfortable and pleasant place to drink and probably your best bet if around Tooting Broadway.
|
This is a good pub. There's nothing amazing about it, but you can usually get a seat, the music is unobstrusive and the Youngs ale is always in good nick.
Definitely one of the best options in the area
|
distinctly average for a Youngs pub ... expensive, brightly lit, and grubby. Much better run Youngs pubs nearby.
Prefer The Kings Head up at Tooting Bec nowadays though. Superb since the re-fit etc.
|
Nice locals pub with comfy seating and quiet atmos. Restful. Unfortunately only Youngs beers were on offer - the Bombardier had just run out. I chose a Waggledance which seems to be tasteless these days. Didn't it used to be stronger than 4%?
chick - 16 Aug 2008 15:45 |
Good traditional pub - pricy, but the best pub in the area, if you want to hold a conversation, and the regulars are quite an eclectic crowd.
Quiz night is now on Sunday, and there is a very nice atmosphere. The Governer and staff are very friendly too.
Just one gripe - The toilets need a good deep clean, it looks like they have not been cleaned PROPERLY for ages, just wiped over, my guess is that they do not hire a proper cleaning company ! they should get one in !
|
Good traditional pub - pricy, but the best pub in the area, if you want to hold a conversation, and the regulars are quite an eclectic crowd.
Quiz night is now on Sunday, and there is a very nice atmosphere. The Governer and staff are very friendly too.
Just one gripe - The toilets need a good deep clean, it looks like they have not been cleaned PROPERLY for ages, just wiped over, my guess is that they do not hire a proper cleaning company ! they should get one in !
|
The Castle. Easily the best hostelry on offer in the vicinity (sorry to disagree, Surrealale). The place itself has a good traditional "pub" feel to it, the layout is welcoming with a bar that runs pretty much for the length of the pub, with a plethora of nooks and crannies to settle down in for a quiet ale. Granted, prior to the smoking ban, the pub was poorly ventilated; obviously this is now no longer the case. And to complete the homely feel of this establishment, there's a roaring fire in the corner for those cold winter nights.
So, the ale. All of a good quality, those on tap suitably chilled, and those on pump competently looked after.
The prices arguably are a smidgen on the steep side; however what this achieves is keeping the riff-raff on the right side of the door. A swift trip to other pubs in the area (Tramsheds, A bar too far, you know who you are) will see clientele of an inferior quality. The Rounded Oak is no more, closing down predominantly due to a fatal stabbing earlier in the year.
I've only eaten here once, and again, no complaints. The Sunday roast was excellent value for money at �10 for two courses, and served up promptly.
I would also recommend the quiz on a Sunday night. This has been part of our "Sunday service" in SW17 for the most part of the year, after the Collier's Tup quiz became so abstract that it was no longer enjoyable, and attendance started to dwindle. Oh, and there are three free drink rounds throughout the course of the quiz - always a bonus!
The staff are efficient and pleasant. What more can I say? An excellent boozer--certainly the best in the area. 9/10.
P.S It even has the obligatory old man sat at the bar, drinking whisky and water. I can almost hear Billy Joel singing in the distance...
|
Smoky, unpleasant, charmless, witless, boring bog-standard Young's pub. Best avoided, unless for some reason you think that Young's pubs are too thin on the ground in southwest London. If you do think this, the psychiatrists at nearby St George's hospital are standing by to help you.
|
the best in tooting especially since the kings head fell by the wayside. a regulars type pub with that kind of feel which some might not like but i've always found it an efficent good place for a midweek drink
|
I like this pub. Fairly spacious and usually quite clean, has friendly staff and clientelle. The Sunday carvery is good - if a little pricey. I like the busy carpet and upholstery, reminds me of pubs when I was younger and I love the cosy real fires. Good beer too, if you're a youngs fan. Proper pub.
|
Pleasantly surprised by this place - well lit, no drowning music, decent views for the sport, a well pulled pint of Youngs, polite bar staff - a most enjoyable trip. The place seems full of regulars as oposed to passing trade and nice to see a pub with plenty of tables and chairs - well worth a visit.
|
The Castle is a good pub to go for lunch in, although it is a little pricey (food and drinks).
The staff are polite and the service is good.
They do have some problems with food orders not making it from the bar to the kitchen, so when groups of us have gone there, one person usually ends up having to eat theirs when everyone else has finished! However, when this has happened, the staff can be encouraged to give a free drink to the poor sod who's not eating - or refund the cost of their meal.
From the inside, this is probably the classiest looking pub I have been to in Tooting.
|
Basil's Balls Up Band are still alive and kicking, doing the circuit in the West Country - round Croyde Bay area. Still some original members, including the vocalist Ronald McDonald
anonymous - 5 May 2006 00:58 |
I used to come here 30 years ago on a Thursday night to see "Basil's Balls Up Band".
Do they still do live music?
|
It was exactly what it should be - a mix of people a few geezers in their pork pie hats, rugger buggas, some shoppers, some spanish ladies - good beer but not amazing! People might say hello to you here - BE CAREFUL....
|
great barmiads !! friendliest pub in the area by a mile. No trouble and greast Comedy night on Sunday's and Mondays. Carvery is nice touch with No Smoking eating area, and two stylish Plasma tv's for sport.
Best pub in tooting by a country mile, will re-visit anytime in the area
|
This pub is a hell of a lot better than two years ago. Now a lovely pub with plasma screens, a caver restaurant and polite staff, a real find in Tooting!!! I'd also like to add that as a female pub goer, I don't feel intimidated in here, and as always ladies, mind your handbags, there are idiots out there. I think "anonymous" needs a quiet little pub to sit on his own in :o)
|
I visited yesterday afternoon ( Sunday 27 February ) and I was reasonably impressed.
I didn't feel intimidated or uncomfortable at all. There was a good range of customers of all age groups and both sexes - something you surely wouldn't get in an intimidating or unwelcoming pub.
Sunday lunch from the carvery was very enjoyable. The Youngs Ales were on fine form and the staff seemed efficient and friendly.
Based on yesterday's visit, I have no problem with returning - hopefully sooner rather than later
P S - Note the very impressive Bass mirror on the far end wall
|
I used to be a regular here but its really gone done hill fast the last few months. The landlord has gone for high volume sales with no other considerations. If you want to have your bag stolen or feel intimidated this is the pub for you. Lets hope we get a better landlord soon.
anonymous - 21 Feb 2005 21:45 |
Good chips here and big screen.
Aaron - 14 May 2004 03:50 |
The Castle unforunately neeeded the zero tolerance policy of Tom to pull it out of the gumshield pub category. Under new management now (don't let the troublemakers back in please !!!), good landlord, now serving great food daily (sunday roasts superb), great local only gripe a bit more air conditioning as it gets too smokey. Worth a visit.
john mccosker - 6 Mar 2004 22:59 |
I never saw it under old management and only tend to visit before 8pm before heading elsewhere but find it a strange place quiet with tables fairly spaced out creating little noise/atmosphere as you don't have to raise your voice to be heard over the next table. Overall doesn't appeal but may be its bettewr later.
|
the pub does seem more jolly than before, but to be fair to Tom - who I knew for about 5 years - he was brought in when the pub was under seige by nutters and druggies. His "zero-tolerance" approach paved the way for the nice pub that the castle is today. I'm in for the special Xmas menu today!
rob - 18 Dec 2003 11:16 |
Aye, its all true, Tommy has gone, the Castle is a safer place. Peter is behind the bar and far less menacing. Will need to make sure it keeps getting comics and gigs from new bands though (hint, hint)
Guy - 18 Nov 2003 10:44 |
The pub is now under new management so please give us a visit. Tell us what you think (constructive comments)and we will endevour to please. We believe you will be pleasently surprised.
Peter.
Peter Dolan - 15 Oct 2003 17:40 |
I've been reliably informed by several drinkers that the amiable Scotch landlord has now moved on to pastures new. The pub atmosphere is excellent and the beer jugs offer during screened football good value.
2tin punter - 9 Sep 2003 14:32 |
What happened to all the great events at this pub! The Darkness played here last year as did Harry Hill, Al Murray and loads of top acts. Even Guigsy from Oasis DJ'd a couple of times.
Manners need improving though as customers were generally treated as children by the management.
Pete - 24 Jul 2003 11:53 |
Apart from what others have said (I do agree, a really friendly pub), but in my opinion a delibrate and consistent approach of short measures. When challanged about this concern, the landlord acts aggressively as others have said. But if you can avoid him..... good pub!!
Jo - 3 Jul 2003 19:13 |
Great Atmosphere - Great Events - The landlord is unbelievably rude but dont let that put you off - well worth a visit!
Ms Monroe - 7 Mar 2003 11:22 |
the hardest quiz in the world of tooting. the baldies always win, and the barman wont serve us coz we look under 25.
sophie - 11 Feb 2003 12:29 |
