please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Finally got round to writing a review of this pub. Moved to London in September and this pub rapidly became my favourite: good beer (7 handpulls, with a view towards getting 2 more), very pleasant staff and landlord, and a decent clientele.
Don't agree with some people that it should do food. I think it'its character as a traditional boozer would be undermined if it became a foody place.
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Just moved into the area and what a find! Pretty much everyone that lives in the Old Town seems to drink in this pub.
Very friendly very well run and after only a couple of weeks I'm made to feel like a regular!
Downsides, well it's not cheap and no food.
All in all the best pub in Clapham.
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Just love this pub. Proper boozer, proper landlord, well kept ales. Went here again last week with some mates to watch the rugby and loved it. Good crowd, busy but not too busy, we got served easily enough by some very pretty barstaff who kept calm and carried on despite the constant demands for drinks. Landlord seems to have some great banter with his regulars who all seem to be happy punters and up for some chat ( apart from one bloke who seems to think he owns the place,but apart from that all good). We had a rip roaring session all day, if i had one complaint its food, i would have murdered some pub grub which it seems they dont do any more). Bottom line, the best place in Clapham for a session if youre late 20's/30's and want to avoid the rubbish on the high street)
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Popped on on way thru to Highgate, much better than my last visit, beer in good nick, male staff no ditzy girls so not much to look at but good beer and service, nuff said.
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Rocked in here on Saturday night after a day out in the sun to celebrate our mates engagement. Brilliant pub. Service was quick, ales are great (loved the selection of summer golden ales on offer but i think they got lucky with the weather) and the ladies polished of a fair few bottle of the house white which they remarked as pleasant. A special mention to the gents behind the bar who served us jaegar bombs non stop for 45 minutes. They served us with good grace despite our drunken heckling and still managed to keep an eye on their other punters. Hopefully they'll welcome us back as I plan to have a big one coming up to xmas.
Great pub and I cant recommend it highly enough. Cheers for the shots!
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Easily the most genuine pub in Clapham. I go there regularly as it's the only place to get a great pint of bitter, and always has something different on tap. Great atmosphere and great staff. For example, how many other pubs do you know that give free dog treats out to dog owners?
Don't believe the negative review below this, a quick click-through will show you that it is almost certainly from one of the landlord's bitter old business partners - funny how both their pubs get "outstanding" reviews from this poster.
Just look at the 74 other positive reviews - that will tell you everything!!!
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A bizarre oxymoron of a pub. A lovely looking Victorian nay Georgian pub from the outside. Inside it is characterless but for the Landlord Dave, sadly one one swallow doesn't make a summer. The comments here are bizarre if only for the fact that I have pals who go here quite regularly due to the fact they won't live without Lambeth air strapped to their backs in tanks. The staff with the exception of Dave are generally hopeless, and Dave, who has been reminded of this on numerous occasions seems incapable of providing anything but jellyfish managerial guidance. He's too nice to a fault. It has the jump on others in the area for location but Green King beer all tastes the same these days, so perhaps lager is the way forward. Hopefully with support locally it will survive the rigours or recession.
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Dropped by last weekend, and pleased to say it is still an excellent pub. Dave (the landlord) is still as charming as ever. Wonderful beer and atmosphere - what more could you want?
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Being a man in the Clapham omnibus for several years I discovered this gem of a pub back in 2006 and I've never looked back. Great range of ales which are constantly changing from your regulars such as Abbot to guest ales such as Yorkshire Terrier (silly name for an ale but a lovely pint). They also have a decent lager selection from San Miguel to Peroni, good range of bottled lagers and an eclectic and surprisingly good wine list.
Staff are attentive and more importantly quick! Music is background to say the least. The whole vibe of the place is to encourage conversation and interaction. Their's some great art work on the walls which depict scenes of Clapham from the last century or so.
Brilliant bunch of regulars inhabit the place and there is nothing better than just chilling with a pint and listening to their inane conversation. Great, great pub!
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Good solid pub with a interesting group of regulars, well kept beer and a welcoming atmosphere.
Reasonable selection of real ales on offer, would get busy at weekends.
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I have lived in Clapham for a few months now and went to The Rose and Crown for the first time last weekend .What a find! This is a splendid little pub. My friends and I chose a bottle of wine from the thoughtful original wine list and snacked on delicious olives and nuts throughout the evening.
The landlord was attentive, the staff polite and efficient, and we even chatted to a few regulars. Such characters! Highly recommended. Bravo.
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This is a great little pub. I thought I would hate it but I loved it. I went in there last week to kill some time before meeting my girlfriend. Great selection of ales properly served. Landlord is so friendly and polite and talked me through the ales on offer. The girls behind the bar are charming and efficient.
I sat outside reading my paper and listened to the conversation around me. Such a mixed group, from Aussie to Irish, from suited up cityboys to dusty artisans ,there was a group of regulars just enjoying a drink and generally having good fun pub chat. Thats a sign of a great boozer in my book where people come to have a beer and a laugh after work. Even convinced my girlfriend who hates pubs to stay for a drink and she loved it, I will be back for more.
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This pub has a nice location just off Clapham Common. Although the line-up of buses is not the most pleasant outlook from the busy pavement area. The interior is part floorboard and part carpeted. Soft music was being played and the TVs were switched on when the staff realised there was a World Cup game on. The selection of beers is mainly from Greene King - IPA, Olde Trip, St Edmunds Ale and Tolly Cobbold Phoenix plus Westgate Back of the Net. The cider was Aspalls. Unfortunately, the worst part of my experience here was being served a plastic glass. All drinkers whether in or out were suffering a similar indignity. The highlight was the pub's friendly cat, who sat next to me having a fuss! Not a pub I'd return to if plastic glasses are the norm.
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I had a good night in here last night - fine range of beers, had atmosphere but could get a seat, TV and music there but not intrusive, courteous staff.
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Im from ireland and consider myself a connossieur of decent pubs. I dont find many around Clapham. Something is always wrong. Surly, useless staff, shit beer (very common) crap clientele puking or fighting or up their own arse, violent bouncers etc. I dont know what it is about the Rose and Crown but this place just works. Everything about it. It seems always busy but I can always find a seat, there's always a queue at the bar but you always get served immediately, the music is at a subtle volume but you can still hear it. Sky sports news queitly hums in the background just so you can keep up with scores. Its the perfect size, the people who drink in there are the best mix you can find in England, local geezers/tradesmen at the bar, various oddballs, posh types, trendy young students, sports fans, all in an atmosphere of total relaxation and unpretentiousness. Great pint of Hooegarden too and thats not an easy drink to get just right. There's a proper guvnor and good staff behind the bar running a tight ship in this place. Thats what you need in a pub or else you shoudnt be in the business
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best pub in Clapham bar none, great selection of Ales and guest beers, great staff and landlord, a pub where you can get served immediately, so no hanging around at the bar for ages, and proper pub food, fantastic range of pies/sausages, all well priced. If you are looking for a pub, not a gastro pub or pretentious bar, then look no further.
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This is a true gem. Seek it out and you will not be disappointed. A great landlord who treats his ales with the care and enthusiasm they deserve. I live 90 miles away, but it feels like my local when I visit - I am welcomed as a local! If you had to show someone the perfect example of a British pub, then look no further.
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Best pub in Clapham by some distance. Five superbly kept real ales on draft, including the fabulously deceptive Olde Trip. The most hospitable and charming of Landlords, excellent staff, interesting locals and a decent locally sourced pie and mash.
Great beer, good food, good times, love, life, relationship advice, local revelations and sporting frustrations - I've had it all in here.
Highly recommended.
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Went there for an evenings stag-night planning for my friend Dave Nicholls upcoming wedding. Had a great time apart from being constantly abused by my friends. Excellent fish finger sandwiches, shame no sausage rolls though!
Friendly landlord and courteous bar-lady. A good local pub.
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Blinding little boozer in Clapham Old Town. Great selection of beers, delicious food,a really nice crowd and fantastically friendly bar staff. What more could a person ask for after a hard day at work.Having recently relocated to Clapham I was searching for good local and after trying many others I found a cracker in the Rose and Crown.
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Bit small inside and overriding smell of food. Nice to sit outside as long as there aren't too many buses about!
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Proper pub serving proper beer - worth the visit not only for time travel purposes [remember when pubs were pubs and not theme parks] - but for the olde trip ale - fabu-lous
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very good pub run by a friendly manager,just like the old days when ceppie ran it all on her own,worth a visit if you are in the area,don't miss out!
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Really nice local pub, very friendly and all the right people. Quality drinks and gorgeous bar staff... perfect!
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Had my Sunday roast in hear recently and it was fantastic! Very chilled out and incredibly friendly.
Who is that man behind the bar.....phwoar!
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A wonderful pub which accommodates both locals and visitors. The landlord is extremely friendly and the staff are efficient. The pub grub is lovely (especially the fish finger sandwich!) and Tuaca flows freely!! I had a lovely evening here and would thoroughly recommend this pub for a chilled evening.
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This place is exactly what you want from a pub. It is a friendly place, with attentive service and a genial atmosphere. The local customers are welcoming and you can clearly see this is a place to which they enjoy coming. It has a great selection of ales and lagers and the bar food is excellent. I understand they are just about to start doing Sunday roasts again and have acquired the services of an excellent chef which will further enhance the appeal of this charming boozer. I thoroughly recommend this place to every and anyone. You will not find a better boozer in London.
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I love this pub. A true london boozer!!! great and friendly staff and hot barmaids you get served with in a minute of turning up. and great banter with the locals. excellent selection of real ales which makes such a refreshing change from all the usual average pubs in the area. I highly recommend this pub for its hospitality and welcoming atmosphere.
If you want to experience a pub that is different to the norm in Clapham then it's worth a trip to the Rose on any day of the week.
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A true London pub, not a bar. Recently re-established in the good beer guide, real ale (5 on tap), tap and bottle cider and quality lager (including budvar). Has re-introduced good pub food, burgers etc in the week, roasts at weekends. Friendly locals and customers, without being clique or overpowering, offering opportunity to meet friends, or quiet time equally. No sky sports disappoints, but guarantees no change when football is on!
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A true London pub, not a bar. Recently re-established in the good beer guide, real ale (5 on tap), tap and bottle cider and quality lager (including budvar). Has re-introduced good pub food, burgers etc in the week, roasts at weekends. Friendly locals and customers, without being clique or overpowering, offering opportunity to meet friends, or quiet time equally. No sky sports disappoints, but guarantees no change when football is on!
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Great pub, like everyone here, I reckon this could be the friendliest pub in London. Very rare to find.
Also a new chef doing roasts at the end of this month apparently, which is good news considering the standard of some of the local competition...
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Celebrated my mates birthday here just before xmas, was amazed at how nice the clientele was. Not sure how they do it but they manage to keep all the idiots out that so afflict the other pubs in the area!
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Agree with all the comments below, friendliest pub in the area. A bit like a village pub (if it was a really nice village).
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My dog and I love the atmosphere of the Rose and Crown; very warm and friendly. It has become 'our' regular.
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Best in clapham.
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Really good - the sort of pub you expect in London but rarely get. Bags of character and decent GK beers, good range of customers.
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Good busy local with a nice pint of ale, and a friendly atmosphere.
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Best pub in the area by far, great beer and they have just started serving their own food, in my opinion the best pub grub i have tasted in London, much better than the gastropubs and excellent value....the homemade fish finger sandwich is a must (much better than Captain Birds Eye)or if you a more of a meat eater the steak sandwich is a belter
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The best pub in the area, great ales, lovely...... no gorgeous barmaids and customers who aren't knobheads.
They also have a deal with a pizza resturant over the road who deliver!..................Sorted.
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I used to be a regular at this pub until as pointed out on here it started to go downhill. However there has now been a change in management and the difference is staggering. The new landlord is very friendly and has instilled the same attitude in his rather lovely female staff. The toilets are clean and it generally feels like a different place.
If your drinking in Clapham and you don�t want to be in a bar full of idiots (such as the Sun) then this is by far and away the best choice.
Rumours have it (well the landlord informed me) that they will be doing good food soon although at the moment they are happy to pop over the road and get you a pizza from the local Italian � now that�s what I call service!!!
kenee - 12 Dec 2007 10:22 |
Has got alot better recently,can't workout if there has been a change of management, but they have definately taken heed of these reviews. The gents no longer stink, the place has been cleaned and most importantly the beer tastes better. Great but unobtrusive TV for watching the Rugby, missus loved the wine too.
daveE - 11 Oct 2007 15:56 |
Seemed okay on my visit. Brimming with a bit of life. Decent IPA on tap...
Try reserving your own bar seat area and enjoy your pint...
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Was a nice pub, has gone downhill, epecially as the beer selection became limited to Greene King. Will they ever properly clean the gents
anonymous - 29 Mar 2007 14:01 |
This pub used to be a haven from trendy bars but has gone TOTALLY downhill. Unfriendly staff, whichis normally excusable if they can pour a decent drink - in this case, they can't even pour the drink you ask for and still expect you to pay for it.
anonymous - 22 Mar 2007 23:37 |
Im afraid I have to agree in the fact it has gone downhill recently however it is still ten times better than the Calf or the Sun not that it is too difficult to be.
juzza - 13 Dec 2006 12:16 |
Not nearly as good as when Mark and Ceppie Evans ran it. Now very smoky and little beer choice beyond Green King's yawnful offerings.
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My second favorite pub in the area to the Duke of Cumberland. Real feel to the pub among the plastic trendy bars of 'Clarm'. Good food too, they even let me bring my own gravy powder and made me up a vegetarian one.
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Best of the three establishments around the bus stand. Good beer and feels like a proper pub.
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Probably as traditional a pub as you're likely to get in this upwardly mobile part of London. Had the Rev James on as a guest beer last Sunday, but yes, otherwise I agree with the comment about Greene King beer emphasis
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Nice pub, reasonable atmosphere, quite liked the music that was on when I went in. Not particularly overwhelmed by the beer, a bit too much emphiasis on Greene King and its subsidaries.
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I echo the previous posts. Popped in for a swift 'alf before the bus home - and made to feel quite at home, relaxing and reading the paper. An excellent pint of Smiles Heritage, and one of Moorlands Original - poured by newbie bar person quite expertly!
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I was wrong about this place its not one of the best pubs in clapham old town its one of the best pubs in clapham!!! try this place tis a gem of a pub.
juzza - 15 May 2006 10:00 |
Cracking little pub friendly staff nice relaxed feel to it the best pub in clapham old town by a mile.
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Along with the old Mistress P's this was the best and least pretentious pub in the area. Now with Mistress P's gone it's this place that flies the flag alone if you want a decent down to earth boozer around Clapham Old Town. Good beer and efficient service in whats fast becoming a dying style of establishment.
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This is a very friendly local and you feel relaxed the moment you enter,definately a place you can bring your other half,mind you the managers not in to having the Saturday racing on the telly,he'll direct you politely to an obscure pub somewhere up Belmont Rd opp;
anonymous - 28 Dec 2005 13:36 |
Very unpretentious for the area. Great frontage (the building - the bar maid was nice too though, and helpful). Ale in good nick. would pop in for another.
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Fine pub well worth visiting
Try the Batemans XXXB which was on splendid form last Sunday.
Can't believe that I was the only one drinking it.
Shame about the dog though, surely a pub that has a good food trade shouldn't have dogs in ?. You never know where they've been recently
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Proper old pub. Staff efficient and friendly without annoying. Beer well kept. Best place in Clapham to spend some time with some good beer.
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It doesn't get much better than this. Only spoilt by the public school hooray henries who ruined the England v Croatia victory by talking inanely about property, rugger and all the other little foibles of the fecklessly rich and stupid, during the game. And not celebrating properly when we won it. Stick to the wine bars Jeremy and Rupert.
anonymous - 17 Jun 2005 17:21 |
Thankfully the refurbishment seems to have been quite harmless. Simply a coat of paint and some blown-up old photos. Most importantly the beer is still good and the atmosphere still relaxed and friendly.
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Aaarrrggghhhh! They're redeveloping my favourite pub as I write. Apparently the management have sold up and refit looks like it will erase any old school boozer charm the place had. Bang goes the only reason to stay in Clapham any more. I'm devastated.
Dom B - 2 Nov 2004 12:55 |
whilst all the trendy claphamites bore each other witless in trendy new-fangled gimmicky wine-bar/pub hybrids, it's nice to see a pub which remains true to what pubs should be. Very friendly staff. And about the only place in clapham you can get a drink on new years eve without paying on the door.
Ed - 13 Sep 2004 12:01 |
Proper old school boozer. The kind that you find less and less these days. Decent drinks, good(ish) staff, and you can sit out side. Boozers like this need support, otherwise the next time you drink here it'll be All Bar one or The Fine Line. You have been warned!!
John - 29 Jul 2004 12:25 |
A lovely bar with lovely staff, who kindly donated a meal for 2 anda bottle of wine to the Clapham treasure hunt in aid of Medecins sans Frontieres.
sarah - 26 Jul 2004 16:37 |
Before my recent visit to London I used this web site to research great pubs. Based on the comments I read here, I paid a special visit to the Rose & Crown. Thanks to all who said good things. You are all exact in your comments... this is one great pub! Great beer, friendly staff and I met some great people here. I'll see you all on my next trip. Cheers!
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Excellent choice of beers, good guest ales, and best of all a fridge of bottle conditionded British and Belgian Beers such as Hens Tooth and Duval.
Good cold larger if you're not into your Real Ale.
Staff very friendly, good atmosphere, a great local.
Chris Young - 28 Mar 2004 18:58 |
Consistently brilliant little pub with real class and atmosphere. good wines as well as top beers. A Clapham highlight
Martin - 2 Mar 2004 16:08 |
Only decent pub in Clapham, top range of ales (new ones all the time)and freindly staff
Glen - 27 Feb 2004 12:32 |
QUITE A GOOD PUB WITH GOOD BEER AND NICE PEOPLE RUNNING THE PUB, WORTH VISITING IF YOU ARE NEAR TO IT, THEY USUALLY HAVE GREEN KING WITH OTHER BEERS CHANGING DAILY.
anonymous - 23 Feb 2004 19:44 |
Great pub should be SW London pub of the year, except for the local CAMRA Mafia
Sue - 17 Feb 2004 13:07 |
My local and great pub. You forget you're in the middle of bustling Clapham common when your're in here. Quite happily drink until closing and good mix of people
Pete - 14 Jan 2004 14:51 |
Good beer and very friendly. When my food took all of 15 minutes to arrive I was given a free half!
tim - 13 Nov 2003 16:29 |
A brilliant place to meet the locals, their dogs and drink good wine and beer!
anonymous - 10 Nov 2003 16:25 |
One of the nicer less pompous joints in Cla'am.
Good ale and a welcoming landlady.
Macdirty - 25 Sep 2003 16:19 |
Wonderful Pub, Very good beer, and excellent service. The Landlady and Landlord are very friendly and welcoming and always try to remember peoples names.
anonymous - 3 Sep 2003 13:15 |
Much better beer range than 'standard Greene King', although not as good as the very best totally free houses. Having said that, it is still very good for London and a nice interior too. Beer well kept.
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Consitently good beer
Abbot_Ale - 23 Jun 2003 13:22 |
Good little pub with great ales - shame about the weekend lager drinkers from the pub across the road
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Very good pub with an outstanding landlord. I shall be paying a visit tonight! Hope there's some Landlord or JHB there! This is a lot more than a "standard Greene King" establishment as described by the previous commentator, and should be visited by anyone finding themselves in the area who fancies a good pint!
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Good variety on its guest beers which it keeps very well. Always willing to let you have a little taster. If you like your beer well kept this place is definitely worth a visit.
anonymous - 19 Sep 2002 17:41 |
Standard Greene King pub with original Victorian glazed tile exterior. The landlord, Mark Evans, is one of the most respected cellermen in the business. He can make silver out of boring ales. When something special (Landlord, JHB) is on it's a real treat.
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