Latest reviews for Bars & Pubs in Balham, London, United Kingdom

The Moon Under Water - Cheap and Cheerful! by loyd

loyd — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 16:08:04 +0000

Review by loyd

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 8673 0535

Website: http://www.jdwetherspoon.co.uk

Tags: food, pub chain, standard pub food

Now the smoking ban has stopped visits to this Weatherspoons turning into a smoke fest, this is probably the best place to get a cheap drink in Balham.

There is a larger than average population of elderly gents who are usually keen to partake in any conversation, whilst sipping on a napkin laden pint, but they usually drift off if you bring up anything modern. The pub is good for watching bigger sporting events, and does get quite packed, especially during London derbies, where things can get a little heated.

The toilets are a little on the rough side and I have never had the privilege of walking on a dry floor in the gents.

However, cheap does mean you have to take some cuts and they do not put me off! Cheap drinks, cheap food, nice staff... winner!Now the smoking ban has stopped visits to this Weatherspoons turning into a smoke fest, this is probably the best place to get a cheap drink in Balham.

There is a larger than average population of elderly gents who are usually keen to partake in any conversation, whilst sipping on a napkin laden pint, but they usually drift off if you bring up anything modern. The pub is good for watching bigger sporting events, and does get quite packed, especially during London derbies, where things can get a little heated.

The toilets are a little on the rough side and I have never had the privilege of walking on a dry floor in the gents.

However, cheap does mean you have to take some cuts and they do not put me off! Cheap drinks, cheap food, nice staff... winner!

Bedford - Great but packed. by loyd

loyd — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 15:59:10 +0000

Review by loyd

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 8682 8959

Website: http://www.thebedford.co.uk

Tags: live music, lively, live

As previous reviews have said, this is one of the best pubs in London. There is always something going on and the choice and variety of acts astounds me. There does, however, always seem to be a 15 minute wait for drinks.

If you are willing to wait though you will be treated to the most amazing maze of corridors and rooms, including a globe theatre...

Staff are usually great, although you do sometimes get a few snooty customers in who are set on making a scene. Perhaps they are drawn in by the Thespian vibes...

All in all, one of the best pubs in London and definitely worth a visit if you live anywhere near by, even if it doesn't become your favourite regular watering hole.As previous reviews have said, this is one of the best pubs in London. There is always something going on and the choice and variety of acts astounds me. There does, however, always seem to be a 15 minute wait for drinks.

If you are willing to wait though you will be treated to the most amazing maze of corridors and rooms, including a globe theatre...

Staff are usually great, although you do sometimes get a few snooty customers in who are set on making a scene. Perhaps they are drawn in by the Thespian vibes...

All in all, one of the best pubs in London and definitely worth a visit if you live anywhere near by, even if it doesn't become your favourite regular watering hole.

Blithe Spirit - OK if not outstanding by mario

mario — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 23:09:07 +0000

Review by mario

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 8772 0082

Tags: beer garden, standard pub food, relaxed

It's a fairly nice place for a drink, but there's not really too much to distinguish it from other pubs. There are other places in Balham with far more character. Having said this, its location is convenient and I do drop in for the occasional pint after doing some shopping.. It's a fairly nice place for a drink, but there's not really too much to distinguish it from other pubs. There are other places in Balham with far more character. Having said this, its location is convenient and I do drop in for the occasional pint after doing some shopping..

Balham Bowls Club - Unique.. by mario

mario — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 17:21:45 +0000

Review by mario

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 8673 4700

Tags: relaxed, friendly, food

Quite a unique place, but all the better for it. Totally unmatched, old and worn furniture (seemingly what was left over from when it was an actual Bowling Club), but somehow it works and makes for an incredibly relaxed and comfortable place to have a drink.

They also do something they call "international tapas" and some bar food, but I haven't tried that yet so can't comment. Noticed that they just opened one of the additional rooms as well, with a couple of pool tables in it, which appear to be in regular use already.

And last but not least: it has free Wifi!Quite a unique place, but all the better for it. Totally unmatched, old and worn furniture (seemingly what was left over from when it was an actual Bowling Club), but somehow it works and makes for an incredibly relaxed and comfortable place to have a drink.

They also do something they call "international tapas" and some bar food, but I haven't tried that yet so can't comment. Noticed that they just opened one of the additional rooms as well, with a couple of pool tables in it, which appear to be in regular use already.

And last but not least: it has free Wifi!

The Balham Tup - Decent Boozer by MattDonegan

MattDonegan — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 17:17:03 +0000

Review by MattDonegan

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 8772 0546

Tags: dj, tv for sporting events, balham

I had the good luck to visit this gigantic Balham watering hole last night to watch my team Liverpool go down to a 2-1 defeat in Istanbul. Great large screens for sports, a wide and spacious bar area, and the usual selection of drinks. They've probably gutted the interior since its heyday, but what you're left with a clean and crisp place to enjoy a few light ales. There's comfy looking sofas for larger groups. I'll be paying this place another visit for sure.I had the good luck to visit this gigantic Balham watering hole last night to watch my team Liverpool go down to a 2-1 defeat in Istanbul. Great large screens for sports, a wide and spacious bar area, and the usual selection of drinks. They've probably gutted the interior since its heyday, but what you're left with a clean and crisp place to enjoy a few light ales. There's comfy looking sofas for larger groups. I'll be paying this place another visit for sure.

The Grove - Disappointing by ONscotland

ONscotland — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 10:56:10 +0000

Review by ONscotland

Rating: 2.00

Phone: 020 86736531

Tags: pub, young professionals, pretentious

The Grove in Balham is part of the Youngs chain, and generally speaking that guarantees certain things - a good range of beers, smart, well kept surroundings and a decent range of food on offer. The pub is surrounded by a little terrace for the smokers, and certainly looks the part.

As far as the pub side of things goes, The Grove is no exception to the Youngs rule, and is an acceptable, if uninspiring venue. There are several real ales and guest ales to choose from. It's tucked away in a side street off Balham High Road, and I don't think it is worth the detour.

Perhaps I visited on a bad day - as I had the most uninspiring meal I think I have ever been served. I can barely remember what it was - a torte, served on a three bean salad, and everything covered in rocket. The dreaded salad leaf that ruins everything. The torte was OK, but the three bean salad was devoid of flavour. How can that happen? It was not served with any dressing, nor was any offered. Imagine if you can, three varieties of pulses being pushed around a plate, crying out for some TLC from the chef.

My friend opted for that great pub fallback - sausages and mash. The sausages tasted like they had been cooked and reheated later on, like the ones you get in supermarket ready meals, and the potatoes...well! Coming from Ireland, I love my potatoes - my friend gave me one taste and it almost put me off them for life. The potatoes had been boiled (but only enough to make them still hard in the middle), loosely smashed, and er, that was it. No salt, no butter, nothing to add any flavour at all. They sat like chalky rocks on a plate, unwanted and unloved. The Grove charges about a tenner per course, which is high for South London. The least you should expect is food that has been prepared with some thought and care. The clientele tend to be Balham and Clapham folk, young, wealthy and ever so loud.

Two stars then, just for the pub side of things, but definitely not worth a return visti.The Grove in Balham is part of the Youngs chain, and generally speaking that guarantees certain things - a good range of beers, smart, well kept surroundings and a decent range of food on offer. The pub is surrounded by a little terrace for the smokers, and certainly looks the part.

As far as the pub side of things goes, The Grove is no exception to the Youngs rule, and is an acceptable, if uninspiring venue. There are several real ales and guest ales to choose from. It's tucked away in a side street off Balham High Road, and I don't think it is worth the detour.

Perhaps I visited on a bad day - as I had the most uninspiring meal I think I have ever been served. I can barely remember what it was - a torte, served on a three bean salad, and everything covered in rocket. The dreaded salad leaf that ruins everything. The torte was OK, but the three bean salad was devoid of flavour. How can that happen? It was not served with any dressing, nor was any offered. Imagine if you can, three varieties of pulses being pushed around a plate, crying out for some TLC from the chef.

My friend opted for that great pub fallback - sausages and mash. The sausages tasted like they had been cooked and reheated later on, like the ones you get in supermarket ready meals, and the potatoes...well! Coming from Ireland, I love my potatoes - my friend gave me one taste and it almost put me off them for life. The potatoes had been boiled (but only enough to make them still hard in the middle), loosely smashed, and er, that was it. No salt, no butter, nothing to add any flavour at all. They sat like chalky rocks on a plate, unwanted and unloved. The Grove charges about a tenner per course, which is high for South London. The least you should expect is food that has been prepared with some thought and care. The clientele tend to be Balham and Clapham folk, young, wealthy and ever so loud.

Two stars then, just for the pub side of things, but definitely not worth a return visti.

Duke Of Devonshire - by Lara_roussel

Lara_roussel — Mon, 21 May 2007 14:39:55 +0000

Review by Lara_roussel

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 8673 1363

Tags: food, real ale, friendly

best new years eve ive ever had. cheap booze,. fabulous early 90s music, oddly positioned fairy lights, and minor celebrities from Shipwrecked. what more could you ask!
the perfect way to see in 2007, and i could walk home via chicken cottage.
result!
best new years eve ive ever had. cheap booze,. fabulous early 90s music, oddly positioned fairy lights, and minor celebrities from Shipwrecked. what more could you ask!
the perfect way to see in 2007, and i could walk home via chicken cottage.
result!