please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Popped in here while waiting for train.
I last used this pub in 1968 and it's gone from a traditional pub to a trendy type pub serving the modern keg type beers.
Staff were very friendly and it looks like a good place to have a night out.
I had a pint of Peckham Ale which was surprisingly good but it would be so much better if they served a decent draught ale.
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Drinks overpriced for area . Full of snobs.
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The staff are lovely but not experienced. I asked for an Appleton rum with a dash of lemonade. I got Appleton with ice and a lot of lemonade. Twice.
To add insult to injury they twice cleared my drink away when evidently there was drink in the glass. I did tell bar staff and I was told my drink was my responsibility! Now I don't let any one walk off with the kids but hey if I go to the loo I expect my drink to still be there. Yes even if it is 'only half an inch'
So on telling bar staff there was an over zealous staff member I got another drink and hey it lasted a mere 10 minutes before being cleared away Again! No apology for clearing away the drink you just paid for? Another I should have looked after it.....very poor mate. And on spotting a punter breaking a glass did I leave it? No politely told staff what had happened.
unbelieveably aboyt 5 minutes after putting a drink down it ahppened again. I was told clear shorts away wo
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A pretty decent pub. Every time I leave this pub I feel like I should have stayed longer, but then check my wallet and realise my choice was probably for the best.
Starting off the bad.
For a SW London pub this is one of the most expensive I've been to, about £6 a glass of wine and nearly £5er for all of the beers, it's a little steep. However, if you want cheap, go to the dive which is the 'White Hart' over the road (if you didn't get that, avoid the white hart).
The bar staff are friendly and comprised of several cheerful, attractive ladies and they sell a decent variety of drinks, however the time it takes to get served is, at the best of times, awful. They serve a lot of food so most of the staff you'll see will be clearing tables and ushering plates to patrons, not filling glasses with decent ale. When the place gets busy the service gets even worse, and I've never once seen the outside bar open.
That aside, if you want a quiet beer and don't mind paying for it, I can think of few pubs in SW London I'd rather go to. The location is fantastic (right on the A23 and South Circ intersection outside Tulse Hill station), the building is unmistakable, they have a smoking area to the right and a big beer garden outside, they play live sports, have table football, pool (£1 a game) and table tennis outside and even have a seperate dining area and booths outside where you can go, chill and have a little smoke in peace, quiet and relative outside warmth.
Overall one of the best pubs in the area, far better than anything else in Tulse Hill, and the fact that my commute is from Tulse Hill station and I live over the road means that mine's a Doom Bar and I'll be on the bench outside just by the door.
Cheers!
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excellent place for a pitstop if waiting for train connections. Nothing wrong with the Ale. Seems to be family friendly.
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Good pub, convenient as in the name for trains out of here, beer is a decent choice, enormous and largely covered all weather out door area - food is solid, not insanely london prices - so good for a night out. Entered on a floor of full scale 1950's danceathon - but you can hide from the weekend events by going outside the back (heaters on). would recommend if in the area as there isnt much else
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Nice pub, great outdoors space, pity about the incredibly rude staff! If it wasn't for the fact there is not much else around I would avoid. Also, been to a view of their big nights (which in the main are good) but sometimes the crowd can be coked up idiots which the staff seem complicit in. Really tempted to call the police when a punter took a line in front of staff and nothing was done!
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There this evening.
A quiet monday.
A very good pint of Adnams.
My Local and it's just as good after it's recent refurb'.
Will continue to drink there
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this pub is a real asset to the community, went to fireworks night here a few day and had a great time. saw some great bands and some unexpectedly good fireworks. the guys here do a great job, keep up the good work
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Great beer garden and the food is actually pretty decent. And they put on good quiz nights, bands etc. so they do make an effort.
But the staff all look as if they've been told they've got weeks left to live. I've seen cheerier faces at North Korean military parades. And the speed of service at the bar would make you think they brewed to order. Woeful. I don't suppose the two loafers who appear to run the place do much for morale, lumping around the place looking like something out of Builders From Hell and showing utterly no regard to the punters. Still, I'll keep going there like a sucker because the beer garden's good and the competition's poor. But for your own sake as well as ours, cheer up!
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I have had some enjoyable evenings in here. Lovely garden which has recently been made even better, good food, clean tasting beer, some occasional live entertainment and a good quiz night. However, I have to agree with previous reviewers that some of the staff have been unwelcoming in the past. I shall definately be returning though as I think this place has alot going for it.
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This is my local and a great one at that. Great garden, food is ok. Quiz night on Thursday is worth a go.
KateB - 19 Jul 2010 22:06 |
Contrary to the last post I think the staff here do a great job. The actual bar is not big enough when the garden is full there's just not enough taps tills etc, but all in all friendly efficient service with fantastic food. Great music also. Could do with a bigger bar though guys!
bless - 10 Jul 2010 17:41 |
I've been going here for about 15 years, and the service has recently gone from the usual pass-the-valium inactivity behind the bar to jaw-droppingly dreadful...
In 10 minutes waiting for a drink with 3 staff serving and six people waiting,
Broken glass flew at me as the supporting pint glass on the drip tray broke.
Spattered with foam as someone tried to pour a pint of lager from an empty barrel - "Becks is off|"- yep, just wiping it off my arm.
Asked for a drink then ignored as
On settling tab at the end of the evening, I had to fight tooth and nail to get a wrongly charged round taken off.
The usual slow and moody service I can take, given the lovely garden and good food, but get rid of the recent rash of cretins that seem to lurch zombie-like behind the bar.
Serve drinks quickly, cheerfully, and bill properly. Not difficult.
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It's not just you Deggo - every time I have been in this place there has been a shortage of beer. The staff aren't the friendliest either.
Nice beer garden though.
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My local and a decent place. As other reviewers have said the beer garden is immense and great for sunny afternoons. A pretty standard selection of lagers plus Black Sheep, Broadside and Purity Mad Goose on tap.
Might be just my poor timing but the barrels often run out half-way through pouring my drink - especially the Mad Goose.
Deggo - 23 Apr 2010 15:50 |
this pub rocks. understated cool. good music and food, massive garden, pretty cool clientele. Worth a visit if you live any where in the vicinity, i love it
bless - 13 Apr 2010 22:18 |
Great Venue - Lovely in the Summer as it has a HUGE GARDEN With a Nice Smoking Terrace!!
Staff are OK.... But a bit Moody!!
Reasonable Priced & very Nice Food!! The Best Pub in the Area - although thats not that Hard considering the Neighbouring Pubs!!
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Thanks Jennywoo!! I have joined and will tell my mates about it! no more cheats!
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I've never been here before, but read comments about how its improved, I went for the pub quiz, had a good night in the end but I saw a bunch of people (from differnt) teams using iphones to cheat. the quiz master didn't pick up on it and I'd feel stupid for saying anything, but basically we gave up. It's pointless and ruins a good night out.
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went to the new years eve party at the railway, wow. had a really great time and met some lovely people. the music and bands were fantastic. apparently the food here is great so i cant wait to go back and try it. huge garden, must be great in the summer
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ive only recently moved to the area but this has become like my second living room, a fantastic range of beers , great food and (usually) pretty cool customers.can sometimes be a bit rough around the edges but this tulse hill after all .have seen some brilliant(and not so brilliant) live acts recently and can only say good things about this place really although they do need to get the outside heaters fixed
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Not a bad pub at all. Lovely outside area and has hoegaarden on draft. Good food too.
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your previous reviewer is a well known local alcoholic
and troublemaker, i have worked in the railway for over two years and have found the owners to be very professional (i have worked in bar/restaurant management
for over 8 years) and cannot understand his comments, all
i can say is that i cant recommend this pub highly enough
although admittedly i do work there
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Undeniably the bet of the three key Tulse Hill boozers, if only because it lacks the stickiness and slight air of prickliness that blights the White Hart and the faded decor of the Tavern. The beer's generally okay, although I don't recall ever having an ale in here (the Tavern trumps in this respect), and a weekly pub quiz is generally recommended. The food's not too bank-breaking, and it must be one of so very few pubs that serves halfway decent pizza, if for some odd reason that's what you're after. Plus it's right next to the station - miss your train, you've 30 minutes to wait. Might as well bless that wait with a pint.
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well run decent gastropub, no packet food here. must be the best sunday roast for miles, good value too. superb range of draught beers and ciders. covered and heated smoking area, wifi ..... some screen sports. top drawer!
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Went in for the pub quiz last Thursday but it had been cancelled due to the P.A. system being broken.
Both real ales were off along with the cider and they had run out of two of the wines my friend wanted.
Very poor management - must try harder.
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had not been to this pub for a year or so because i was away on my travels. What a change, the food and service has really improved, not traditional pub food at all, really healthy, fresh salads etc. They have added a great covered terrace in the garden which really adds something to the general atmosphere which has always been pretty cool. The musics still great, shame they cant play music outside but thats london england for you. love the work guys
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Brian May is often seen at the pub quiz on Thursdays arguing with the quizmaster.
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Popped in here a couple of weeks back - they've sorted themselves out for 1 July - nice new covered veranda etc.
But �3 for a Fosters and the toilets are STILL minging.
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Pretty damn good pub actually. The burgers are huge and to be recommended, but on particularly busy nights they can take a while. The garden is great in the summer, perfect for a pint after work
I have to say: The hand drier in the gents gives you 5 seconds of hot air before going cold. It has done this for years. Every time I use it I do so in hope. But no.
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cannot understand previous negative comments i am a single girl living in the area for the last six months have never felt intimadated in this pub and have waited for friends on my own many times. by far the best thing that has happened to the area and one of my main reasons for buying in tulse hill i have seen two great bands in the last month all in all doing a great job
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The beer garden is great but there's no way they can justify serving Fosters at nearly �3/pint. In Tulse Hill!?
And the toilets could do with a refit.
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great atmosphere, great music, great staff, great food (now served much faster) good artsy events and djs and great garden (how could you miss it, must one of the biggest in london) great quiz, great pub. not like all bar one at all. This pub has heart and soul and continually evolves. shame the pool table went but the clientele has improved as a result. i live in tulse hill but would travel to this place, the locals are lovely
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The Railway is the best place to go in Tulse Hill. Admittedly I only visit on weekend afternoons or a couple of drinks after work, rather than Fri or Sat night. Ok so there can be some characters in there, but the fact that most people in there can show you how to play backgammon (they have a variety of games)means that they aren't the usual drunks and chav/fighters that hang out in the other local pubs. The staff are fab, we arranged to have a large group of people for the BBQ that they have in the summer and they gave us free strawberrys and champagne (yes, the real stuff)and made it a great afternoon. Also the pub quiz is the funniest thing, there is usually a pub vs quiz master discussion about who is right, but always in a friendly joking manner.
EllaM - 18 Oct 2006 18:33 |
Typical trendy twenty-something bar. No soul, completely lacking in atmosphere, always full of twenty somethings out on the pull, poor limited range of typical beers. Beer garden? Where's the garden?. An independent All Bar One.
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Heard of the Hoxton Fin? This is where the Tulse Hill Spike was invented.
Slightly over-priced. Maybe the least scary pub in Tulse Hill but that's not saying much.
I think it's possibly the only pub in the local vicinity that seems to making some kind of effort.
Oi'll give it foive.
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i drink in this pub alot and have never noticed the staring previously mentioned just friendly approachable people. just seen a great band there with a lovely atmosphere. the foods great without being overpriced, all in all a decent boozer
anonymous - 30 Jul 2006 23:33 |
My friend took me here as he said it was the 'least pikey' of the pubs in West Norwood. As I walked in through the door I gently brushed past a rather drunk, swollen nosed biffer who told me to "Get out the f****** way" - nice introduction to Tulse Hill. I then ordered a Magners and noticed that I was being stared at by two angry looking gorillas, the sort of stare which holds the gravity of a pint glass in the jugular. Avoiding eye contact I moved to the splendid beer garden where once again I was stared at by another two tables worth of sexually frustrated, non-thinking manual labourers.
Why was I generating so many looks? I am very boring and ordinary looking - maybe I looked like a homosexual? or a paedophile?... worse still maybe I looked like someone who reads books?... or someone who doesn't hit his girlfriend? who hasn't seen 'The Football Factory' and someone who doesn't vote BNP.
As for the barmaids. The poor things must get stared at all day long by the packs of lads, who come in solely to talk loudly about themselves. I can just imagine the vomittous chat up lines being thrown in their direction, as a thought bubble comes out of their heads, thinking: "these men are scaring me".
HOWEVER! I do not wish to paint a bad picture of the pub per se, it is a charming place. Also I must add that the majority of drinkers and all staff WERE LOVELY. I got a smile with each round I ordered and the music was good. 7/10
anonymous - 30 Jul 2006 10:14 |
I've been here on and off for the last 2 years, and I really can't see what you guys are praising (yes, there's one very cute barmaid, but the others - have word with yourselves!) but it's a rubbish pub. Beer is shockingly badly kept. big beer garden, yes. Care less, no.
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oh yeah, forgot to mention the beautiful barmaids, seriously hot!!! and love the outside grill thing. ps i live in east dulwich and travel to this bar
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cant understand how you could be negative about this pub. personally i dont mind paying a bit more for the quality service you get here, good food, good music ice cold beer and cool staff with a decent iq. this is the best thing to happen to tulse hill for years. keep up the good work guys, ignore the moronic moaners the railway is on the right track.
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Beer garden is great. But with all pubs in London as soon as a slap of paint is on the walls and the drunken old tramps moved further down the road the prices have to go sky high.
Keep the tramps in the day time, they subsidise everyone else after all...
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Watched the England v. Paraguay game here.
Three pounds to get in - couldn't see the big screen because of the sun. Couldn't get served inside because there was only about two people serving. Told they were serving beer outside but could only be served if buying a rip-off hambuger.
A joke of a pub.
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Ignore that bit about Magners in the previous post. Got my wires crossed - they WOULD serve you if you were inside, it's just that all the Magners was in the outside bar.
Or something.
Ignore me.
eelio - 26 Jun 2006 12:33 |
Hmm. I used to like this pub, but Wednesday night's showing of the England Sweden match revealed a lot.
Here's what was expected: A massive, festival-esque screen in the massive beer garden, a barbecue, and a good night out.
Here's what we got:
Charged three quid to get in, I went to sit outside and wait for the rest of my mates. When they showed, we sat and watched a bit of the pre-match build up only for the much-boasted-about screen to fit and start, losing sound and picture every twenty seconds. By this point the people charging on the door had nicked off, presumably because they didn't want to refund any disgruntled punters. One of our group ordered a burger from the barbecue - for a pocket rattling �7.50. Still, it looked nice.
After a while watching the staff trying to get the screen working (using one of those aerial boosters you get in Argos) we gave up the ghost and went in to watch the match inside. Which was fun - save for a strange policy where they wouldn't serve Magners to you if you were sitting inside. Very odd.
Still - it's a nice place, but charging people to get in is a bit much. And the bar staff are inconsistent, one in particular getting stressed with US because we'd been waiting an age.
At least they've started accepting cards in there.
eelio - 22 Jun 2006 10:17 |
I have drank in this pub for� well it must be for nearly 2 years now. I have seen it change and alter and I have held off giving it a review until the newest changes had settled in.
So�I like it. It is a good bar.
It is comfortable and welcoming.
Its not pretentious but neither is it scary.
They have a good music policy, a great beer garden and good food
I can't think of the last time I had a bad night or seen any trouble in it.
If you live in Tulse Hill its the best place to drink, but in response to the previous review I think I would choose to drink here even if competition existed.
Its not flash, it doesn�t shout, its just a good bar and that�s enough for me.
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"Only place to drink in Tulse Hill" - Dubious praise. You're hardly spoilt for choice.
Honest review:
The beer garden is great in the summer (if lacking in grass).
They have football on the TV courtesy of Al Jazeera or someone so you get 3pm kick offs occasionally.
The beer is average fare if a little pricey in my opinion for the area.
They don't take cards behind the bar, opting instead for a machine which rinses you for �1.50 to take your own money out. But you've got no choice as there is no free cash point in Tulse Hill! Genius.
The staff are shocking. Disinterested.
If you go for a roast on Sunday better order it on Saturday. It takes so long to come I can only assume they slaughter their own animals on site and cook them on a Zippo.
They do have a reasonable selection of things on upstairs, comedy etc. and a regular pub quiz.
They recently got rid of the pool table as it attracts the wrong crowd or some rubbish. Nonesense.
All in all a decent pub spoiled by poor service.
Good crowd of locals.
Could do a lot better.
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WICKED CREW!!! This IS the only place to drink in Tulse hill. Much love.!!!
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Now my favourite pub in the area after the revamp. All the same benefits as before, but with properly lovely interior now. And they still seem to have the odd hot barmaid or two kicking around, as well as the more regular staff. Which is nice. Will really come into its own in the summer - also noticing some nicely off-the-wall events/DJs doing the rounds, which is most welcome.
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wow, what a transformation. this was already an excellent pub, but somehow its been improved. looks and feels fantastic with alot more seating than before. the food here is better than anything you can find in the overpriced restaurants in herne hill. thursday quiz nights can be epic, great djs at the weekend and a sunday roast with organic meat for �8. with the clientele improving rapidly (finally there is chav free haven in tulse hill) i can not wait for the summer when the garden really is the place to spend a day, afternoon or weekend!!
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good pub being spoilt by upper class money to burn hooray henry's, who must have just moved in to the area in the last few months...
anonymous - 8 Feb 2006 17:29 |
One of the best pubs i have been in a longtime. The food is exceptional never had better quality, value and service from pub food.This pub had deffintely had an enormouse effect on the local area. If only public health woud close down the other two pubs in want area it would be a lot nicer. Best barmaids i have everseen. Anyone who has a bad word to say about this perfect boozer is obviously a class less chav. And if you dont want to pay three pounds a pint, stay at home you tight arse fool...
anonymous - 6 Feb 2006 20:35 |
This has been my local for around four years now and it goes from strength to strength. Anyone who visited it pre its current owners will remember how grim it was (particularly the quagmire garden and slime covered bouncy castle).
The owners have improved it no end and continue to build its appeal rather than rest on their laurels. Offers good food, has a great beer garden for summer drinking and has a really nice vibe about it most nights.
Of course, by location, it has its fair share of �interesting, edgy� punters but compared to the pubs in the vicinity it is fine.
Have noticed the beer & food prices have gone up though (maybe to cover the cost of the new refurb). Bit naughty as �3 for a pint in this area is too much.
All said and done a great neighbourhood boozer.
anonymous - 4 Feb 2006 13:39 |
Westend prices (�3 a pint) say no more....
anonymous - 15 Jan 2006 17:44 |
over priced drinks, food takes ages & there is talk of removing the pool table...come on guys sort it out.
anonymous - 29 Dec 2005 11:46 |
To say this is the best pub in Tulse Hill is damning it with faint praise.
It's a good pub by any standards I think, and really in its element in the summer. How/where did they get the space for a beer garden that big? It's enormous -scarcely seen bigger out in the countryside let alone in Zone 3.
On top it's got genuine pub elements to it as well, like the pool table, and the skanky mens' loos, just in case you thought you'd stumbled into an Allbarone's by mistake.
Probably the only downer is it doesn't take credit cards = hassle but quicker service.
anonymous - 5 Nov 2005 19:58 |
Best pub in Tulse Hill by a mile. Perfect for Sundays with nothing to do. Good local crowd, chilled out vibe, food is OK too - try the burgers. Nice garden in the summer too - wonder where all those wasps come from though!?!?! Great Guiness.
anonymous - 29 Sep 2005 13:53 |
richy's right. great new chef. lovin the food, dj's and general atmosphere. it changes bit by bit and i like that. keep the pool table!!
anonymous - 10 Sep 2005 03:26 |
they have got a fantastic new chef and the food keeps getting better ,its been a shame about the weather cos the garden hasnt really got going this year but the bbqs have been excellent(all organic meat)
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this is my pub by default and has been for the last 6 years - so I have seen it change and reinvent itself beyond all recongition and and I have to say expectation. It went for a pub you wouldn't use the loo in if you thought your bladder would burst to a place that is really easy to hang out in all day - it's worst fault is, in fact, it's easy to waste a day here as you lose all track of time.
The owner puts on all kinds of interesting artsy evenings, films, photo exhibitions and draws a crowd which is very mixed and is a good representation of the diversity of the area...Food is good, massive garden, eclectic music, weird crowd - impromptu dancing is so regular it could no longer be called impromptu - kid, dog, anyone friendly.....
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I love this pub. Really good mixture of people of all ages and classes who are all up for a laugh. It comes into its own in the summer with the huge beer garden. New Years Eve nights are fantastic.
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Great Pub. I live behind it, so by default it is my local. Love it, to be fair. Great staff, cracking food for the money and friendly punters - a good mix too; the odd suit stopping by on the way from work, the odd local Roodbwoy, the odd student here and there. All good-natured and friendly. Great massive open space in the summer (sadly all paved - but good terrace and barbecue). Not the last word in design or avant-garde beers but then, as the owner said to me, that's not the idea. Recommended.
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this pub is great. i feel really relaxed in here. even as a female on my own. the garden`s excellent in the summer. pool table.nice. good food. really friendly staff. and i hear they`ve just built a new function room upstairs...
swifty - 2 Nov 2004 14:37 |
Great pub - don't understand the All Bar One comment below at all (I used to live in Clapham, so have vast and boring experience of rubbish chain bars and posey clientele). Nice mix, friendly staff and punters, not pricey for a London pub and good food. Have just moved here so this is the new local - and I'm very pleased about that! Had a beer in this pub the first time I viewed the flat I ended up buying - it honestly helped make the decision to move to the area, knowing that the local would be this good.
Resh - 25 Oct 2004 14:36 |
Great staff, very good guiness, stella etc. Food excellent-home cooked-not out of packets. Sunday lunch really good. It's a family business, not @ all cliquely; the place deserves supporting. About as far from Bar chains as is possible. For �10; a meal and a pint/glass of wine on the way home from work cannot be beaten. Busy Fri nights after work-pool table, garden. Top little boozer actually. Some funny punters in there and a nice mix of ages and drinkers right across class boundaries. professioanls to scallies. Very few chavs too. A welcome sight. Good to have the odd one to sneer/laugh @. Well done. Oh we won the pub quiz few weeks ago-�28 sound! Quizmater Dennis? really funny,
Scally - 21 Oct 2004 15:24 |
i couldnt agree more those guys have really turned it around remember what a dive it used to be.the food just gets better and better.and theyve got tasty barmaids
richy - 4 Oct 2004 17:12 |
whats the last person on about, about a far from an all bar one as you can get. decent music and brilliant food, cool staff and customers huge garden show me a better pub in south london. this pub has it all
sue - 4 Oct 2004 12:59 |
All Bar One clone with staff who are more interested in their hair than serving the bland, over-priced drinks to customers. Will lose a lot of custom once the real All Bar One (and I hate All Bar Ones) opens about 100 yards away in a few months' time.
Ziggy - 14 Sep 2004 17:14 |
Its just a shame that they couldn't do anything more imaginative with the garden than paving the whole thing. Its such an incredible space for an urban pub that I feel they've really missed an opportunity here.
Ciar�n - 26 Aug 2004 17:15 |
just gats better and batter
john - 27 Jul 2004 10:48 |
just starting their summer bbqs hopefully will be as good as last year
richard - 23 May 2004 01:08 |
just keeps on improving recently repainted and always plays cool music
stuart - 5 May 2004 22:27 |
this place has improved recently used to be a dive
Stuart - 19 Mar 2004 14:56 |
Its sweet. Cool interior, good art on the walls, pool table, brilliant Steak and Ale Pie, brilliant Burgers. Really nice garden esp. in summer
Oli - 12 Feb 2004 16:37 |
