The Hope, Wandsworth Common

Just wanted to echo what shrops 14 had to say about the quiz night - I used to come to the Hope regularly for the quiz. I went back for the first time since before Christmas when the quiz took a break a few weeks ago.

I've rarely, if ever, experienced quite such an excruciating evening in a pub. The 'quizmaster' couldn't have been much more than 12 and seemed to have avoided even a nodding acquaintance with hot water. He was clearly drunk, and became progressively more so as the evening continued. A thirsty young man, it would appear - every third question or so was punctuated by him whining demands in an increasingly belligerent manner that the quizmaster be bought a drink, as thus far no one had done so. I would have said this was fortunate - as anything purchased could only have been done with the intention of ramming it down his throat, pint pot and all.

Having got his lackeys to do the hard work and mark the quiz he was affronted to find out that participants actually wanted to have the answers. Be careful what you wish for. Five questions into round one and everyone in the room regretted it. Is the young man in question a media studies student? He certainly loves the sound of his own voice, preferably at a high rate of decibels. Jesus, the angels, and the poor buggers stuck in the pub wept.

This really was the icing on the cake. The service at the Hope has been pretty appalling for a long time - bar work isn't brain surgery - I've done enough of it in my time - however given the great inconvenience you are clearly putting the staff to it would seem to be just slightly less complicated than renegotiating the anti-ballistic missile treaty.

Although I do have to applaud them on the fact that they're clearly all computer literate, judging by the laudatory posts below - well done! I didn't think any of you would have been able to locate the power button on the hard drive, given the difficulty pulling a pint causes you.

The ladies sound in better order than the gents thankfully, but that's really not saying much. They're still pretty dreadful.

Overall, it's just such a shame. The pub has been spiralling down the drain for some time. And it has so much potential, ideally placed as it is next to the common.

As for opening hours - they flirted with late opening for about three weeks. There was more than enough custom to justify continuing - I think they just couldn't be arsed. I've been in the Hope when for absolutely no good reason the staff have decided to close early - with a pub full of punters. There's nothing I like more than attempting to have a quiet drink while all around you chairs are being stacked on tables and the staff have abandoned the bar completely to concentrate on wiping down tables - well before 10 at night.

18 Apr 2007 11:00