please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Good selection of lagers on tap at prices that are readily becoming the standard in Balham, not that that's a good thing but there you go. Bar staff are efficient if not overly friendly. The inside is a little cramped on a Friday night and, whilst it is nice to sit outside, I don't think the European cafe culture style outside seating works so well with the jobcentre being the main view. Though you can't really blame the bar for that. A decent bar in all and worth a visit.
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Pretty good bar. Never overly busy and and, generally, a good crowd. Although I don't venture in there too often I ate there a few weeks ago and was very satisfied with the food, which is a break from the norm. The drinks prices are, perhaps, slightly more than what they should be but certainly not the most expensive in Balham.
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A rude barman ruined our night in there - we had bought 2/3 rounds of drinks and he proceeded to be antagonistic and rude and kept the door open on a night it was snowing ... would not go again and would recommend you don't... while he works there.
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Agree about the awful wine, I complained it and was given an equally horrible glass of wine.
A shame it has the potential to be nice and the bar staff are friendly.
EllyE - 29 Nov 2007 16:24 |
Standard depository for the Balham glitterati... Good cocktail mixing skills by staff but lacks soul. At least you can sit outside though and look at Irene House (the dole office).
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Has this got new owners? Used to be great but had two of the most expensive and frankly horrible glasses of vino I've had anywhere, ever (white and the rose were as awful as the other, and at �6 a glass....).
Over-priced is an understatement - obviously why it was all but empty on a sunny Friday evening.
What a shame!
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The cocktails here are great! Forget about the beer, though. Pleasant enough low-key atmosphere. Tends to be full of what Balham is nowadays, rugby shirted Tom's and braying Penelope's - just give 'em a good shove back as they barge past you in their usual arrogant way.
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Great little bar this with genuinely friendly staff and not as overpriced as the last reviewer suggests. �3.10 for guiness which is pretty standard nowadays. Wish there were more bars like it, with a blinding sunday roast.
anonymous - 23 Sep 2006 11:01 |
Well, this place seems to have taken it's arse by the hand and set off up the road to la la land. Not content with doing it last month, they've gone and raised bar prices again. They say a fool and his money are easily parted, and at �3.30 for a Guinness they've lost my custom. This is Balham, not a central London hotel. Found most of the patrons to be of the rude 'Can i get' mould. Doesn't hurt to stick a 'please' or 'thank you' in with your order, or indeed to say 'sorry' when you barge into other customers at the bar. Steer clear unless you have more money than sense
anonymous - 7 Aug 2006 22:12 |
Although these kinds of bar are not usually my preference, I've had some alright (mid-week) evenings in Firefly. Granted, the beers are bland and over-priced (�3.10 for Amstel was the lesser of a number of evils), which prevents me from regularly visiting.
On the plus side, it does have a reasonably relaxing vibe similar to some Continental bars, although I make quality beer my main priority in watering holes rather than atmosphere - after all, food is more important in restaurants than atmosphere.
Also, as with all such undersized bars, some of the limited relaxation is lost on Fridays and Saturdays because it gets heaving.
If you like bars, then it is it worth a visit.
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Only recently moved to Balham and found this gem!! Great atmosphere, super food and the service second to none. Will be returning very soon.
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Good bar, seems quite 'grown up' compared to some of the others in balham, which is a good thing. Probably the most relaxed bar in balham.
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Pretty good place, this, I reckon. Food below average but the bar is good - ambience and service generally great. A bit of a worrying tendency to look and sound like it's in Clapham on a Saturday night, but I suppose that's an unfortunate by-product of Balham's popularity. Maybe they'll realise they're in Balham and modify their behaviour accordingly when it dawns on them that it's a DISadvantage to be a w*nker if you want to fit in down here.
I'm a fan of 'south of the station' and this place regularly keeps me from going under that bridge to the everso slightly pass� north side.
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Pretty nice, nothing too special but not bad either.
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Cool unpretentious relaxing place to have a quiet drink in, and the food is very good, especially their Sunday roasts! Staff great too, especially when a mate was involved in an accident nearby and the staff were very kind and helpful.
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Quite nice, but nothing special. Better pubs to be found North of the station.
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My 'She who must etc..' was drinking there the other evening with a friend and reckons that it's a really 'cool' place..(Cool, ! I ask you...Thats young 'uns for you!)
A friendly atmosphere and good food.
I am penning this for here as she isn't too clever with a keyboard!..Blonde.
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lovely lovely lovely!!!
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Welcome new addition. The atmosphere is good and the staff very friendly. The menu is limited, but all very good food. A good place to have a cocktail before venturing to the fantastic Lamberts next door
Tina - 12 Nov 2004 16:46 |
I noticed the football was on in the Firefly this weekend but they made the annoying choice (upon which some pubs insist) of replacing the commentary with music that the five people watching could barely hear anyway. Either show it, or don't bother, eh?
Jez - 9 Nov 2004 14:21 |
Nice atmosphere, good bar staff, and a reasonable choice of strong lagers.
Has a big screen for sports, and is a good place to watch the big games in relative peace, as people don't see this bar as a big football-watching kind of place.
Andy Warrick - 4 Nov 2004 16:32 |
The best place in london. Didn#t go in for over 6 months and the staff remembered me. Wish it could be my local again.
anna - 26 May 2004 15:26 |
Except that I said I enjoyed it, if you'd bothered reading, Robert. Was in again last week for some cracking vodka & tonics at the bar...
Jez - 10 Apr 2004 15:22 |
Can't say I agree with Jez. I like the Firefly. Yet another very non-Balham pub opening up in Balham. I wonder what kind of bar he'd prefer to go to?
robert - 5 Apr 2004 14:17 |
Pleasantly surprised by this place when I visited a few weeks back: feels a little cramped perhaps, but good atmos and prompt service.
Jez - 21 Mar 2004 12:45 |
great bar - excellent food, good wine mixed with cool atmosphere. Had some top nights there!
Rachael - 15 Mar 2004 17:22 |
New bar/pub opened by the same people who own the Firefly at Clapham Common. Good food and good service.
Daniel - 3 Feb 2004 10:02 |
