please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Now refurbed and reopened as 'Honey & Venom' - I've yet to try it as the fact that it's always been empty of punters is a little off-putting. They may struggle against the newly revamped 'Wheatsheaf' across the road
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Can be good though quality of drinks sometimes erratic. Had an awful red wine in here not so long ago. Cocktails on happy hour a good deal.
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cool interior, nice bar. just wish they had more beers than the usual identical shitey lagers. not one bitter, ale, belgian or wheat beer. what's going on there? good screens for sports and nice cubby holes.
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Decent enough - but did not serve food when I went there and it sure does get cold (especially in the back area)... Friendly staff but had to wait a while to get served as it was busy.. I would stay for a couple but probably no more...
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Love it, Can't really explain why as it's small and a bit of an L shaped coridor but I love it's quirky style. The Deck Chairs outside in the summer make me smile as who would want to have a pint on trinity road?
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Smoke is a great bar. Very well designed, in equal parts funky and retro. Had a party here recently, couldnt have asked for a more professional and friendly service from the management. This is certainly by far the best bar in the neighbourhood, if not south london. Thanks smoke.
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umm, if you have so many spirits behind the bar.. why not put together a decent cocktail list which your staff can make?
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this place has most of the elements of a good bar - everything except decent beer and atmosphere.
went the other night late on aFriday and the place was literally dead.
I feel sorry for the owners as they seem to make an effort with DJs and theme nights (the 4 July USA night was a laugh for a while) but generally there really is no atmosphere.
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Bit small but generally ok. The size of the bar is a bit of a problem in itself as it can't have more than two bar staff behind it at any one time and so expect to wait a while if their busy. though it seldom is as it can't actually fit enough people on to make it so. I don't want to be too down on it as I actually think it's quite nice could never see myself staying here for more than 2 drinks but they would be good drinks so no real problem.
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A paint-by-numbers bar with nothing original and the obligatory plasmas for sports. The back of the bar is cold and inhospitable and resembles a doctor's waiting room.
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Smoke is a great bar. Fairly chilled during the week and a few upbeat tunes on at the weekend.
Booze and food is all to a high standard. I have always found the staff very nice and efficient. As for the punters, well Tooting bec has a good mix of people and so does smoke so not sure what's not to like about it. Highly recommended.
anonymous - 27 Jul 2007 12:41 |
What a piece of crap! have these people not heard of atmosphere..
1. I like to hear what my friends have to say. Turn the sodding music down.
2. The colder I get the less I feel like drinking cold beer. Turn the sodding heating up!
3.I like to get served by people not braindead gimps who enjoy the sound of their own voices. Get some decent sodding staff!
Wouldn't go there again
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This bar is fine for a drink or two. My friends and I have never had any problems in here but then also never felt compelled to stay for longer than an hour.
It appears (from the last posting) that there is a serious amount of hate surrounding the place though. What's the point in getting so upset.
There are other nice places to drink in Tooting, such as The Garden House, The Selkirk and even the The Spirit bar down on the Broadway, who all make an effort to appeal to the everyman.
Let's not get caught up in a slanging match but just find a place we like and have fun there. Where-ever you choose, drink sensibly and be nice.
Peace.
(My Christ I sound like a right bloody hippy!)
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A nice enough place. Staff are generally friendly but it's a bit on the pricey side considering the location. I avoid this place when there's a DJ playing, purely because I don't think it's big enough to accommodate DJ, decks and speakers, takes up too much valuable space in what is an already small main seating area. However if you get there early and bag the tucked away couches near the main area you're on to a winner. I generally dont pay that much attention to other clientele to care if theyre "braying yahs", haven't had any problems with the other punters in my time here and thats all I care about. 7/10 on account of it being the only decent "bar" (as opposed to pub) this side of Balham.
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Post-Modern drinking hole for Braying Yuppies.
Is this is a sign of Tooting Bec's gradual slide into 'gentrification' a la Clapham?
Customers seemed to be a mix of City boys and pony-club sloaney girls.
The staff were rude telling one punter to stop smoking a cigar, because they have a "no cigar policy". Weird or what? especially considering the name.
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This place used to be great, and the staff still are. It is just a pity that it now seems to be filled to the brim with braying yah's.
Why do they have to talk so loud?
I dream of it being like how it was in 2004.
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I like Smoke. A gem. It's not my closest pub, but I consider it my local.
I'm an ale man usually, but there's enough of a selection of other good drinks for me not to mind that there's no beardy fuel here.
The food is tasty. Yum.
The music policy is good too, both when they have a DJ in and when it's just background noise. Hip and varied, loud enough to hear, but not so loud you can't talk. I gather you can reserve a table or the back room too...hmm, might be an idea...
And it is a bit small, but that's part of its charm too; it makes it more intimate.
Well done Smoke.
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Really nice bar, worth a visit and the Sunday roasts are great. Don't order a knickerbocker glory though.
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Great bar, the only good place between Broadway and Bec. staff are generally friendly, unlike hoochi mamas and spirit bar(avoid them at all cost) nice 1 smoke keep it up 9/10
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A real gem of a bar and one that thankfully demonstrates the clear cut difference between Tooting Bec and Tooting Broadway! Pro's: Good clean lagers aplenty, good music, comfy sofa's, reservable tables, extremely close to tube and thus Balham/Clapham nightlife. Cons: Claustrophobic, small (non-functional) toilets, pricey beer/wine, slow barstaff. Overall: 8/10, worth a visit.
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A very cosy bar, but well placed as there are not alot of other options in Tooting Bec. The clientele are friendly (albeit a little cliquey), giving the bar a real feel good vibe. Great cocktail selection. The DJ was excellent - his set really moved the crowd. Spoilers were the sporadic use of the air conditioning system, making it quite uncomfortable for such a hot night,and the impolite comments and attitude of the staff at the end of the evening. Nice, but would not return.
anonymous - 17 Jul 2005 12:44 |
Great pub - fab winter food on offer just now, only downside can be the D&B music. Not the best type of music for this bar and has certainly driven us out on a few occassions.
anonymous - 30 Nov 2004 10:04 |
nice place, good atmosphere. Like Clapham without the pretension
Sebb - 28 Sep 2004 17:21 |
I think this bar offers excellent service, food, and atmosphere. A pleasant suprise for the area and far better than the bars offered on clapham high street.
Adam - 25 Sep 2004 10:36 |
I only want to say that is a great bar... GOOD TIMES. I been there a couple of times, when I was in London. I meet a beautiful girl there, a south african girl. Good Luck. Cheers
S�rgio - 5 Sep 2004 00:52 |
Not quite the kind of bar you would expect to find here at Tooting Bec, but an indicator that Clapham and Balham are spreading their tentacles down the A24. Give it 18 months and this place will be de-rigeur.
John - 29 Jul 2004 15:33 |
Friendly staff and a superb atmosphere
West Ham Pete - 21 May 2004 10:51 |
A funky and chilled out pub that isn't in central london - a gem and one of this years evening standard best bars.
Martyn Benson - 23 Mar 2004 17:20 |
not bad.... but a bit self conscious ...trying too hard to be a new yorky sort of place....won't ever go there again after asking for menu twice and was duly ignored... i probably had the wrong haircut for a thursday... staff think they're vibey but sadly ....
ed - 6 Mar 2004 20:07 |
