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

Rose & Crown - Common name, uncommonly good pub! by annepotter1984

annepotter1984 — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 16:50:13 +0000

Review by annepotter1984

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7720 8265

If you like good old fashioned pubs, this is the place for you. It is very friendly and has a really nice atmosphere. It is right in the centre of Clapham and very convenient and easy to get to. The front door virtually steps out on to the road, and the whole place looks really nice and is presented well. My other half said the beers were really good (I am a wine drinker I'm afraid!) and he is generally quite fussy, so it must have been good there! We go there regularly now, and it is open late. Until 1am I think. Unfortunately this is not good for our bank balance as it can be hard to leave! Both the locals and staff are friendly so you will feel very much at home here.If you like good old fashioned pubs, this is the place for you. It is very friendly and has a really nice atmosphere. It is right in the centre of Clapham and very convenient and easy to get to. The front door virtually steps out on to the road, and the whole place looks really nice and is presented well. My other half said the beers were really good (I am a wine drinker I'm afraid!) and he is generally quite fussy, so it must have been good there! We go there regularly now, and it is open late. Until 1am I think. Unfortunately this is not good for our bank balance as it can be hard to leave! Both the locals and staff are friendly so you will feel very much at home here.

Arch 635 - Hidden Gem... by CJD

CJD — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 13:30:24 +0000

Review by CJD

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7720 7343

Website: http://www.arch635.co.uk

Tags: cool, trendy, friendly

Nice venue, good selection of beers, dj's on fridays and weekends playing a good selection of music, live bands / acoustic nights in the week .....all in all well worth a venture and a hidden gem.
Check it out there is always loads going on.

Highly Recommended.Nice venue, good selection of beers, dj's on fridays and weekends playing a good selection of music, live bands / acoustic nights in the week .....all in all well worth a venture and a hidden gem.
Check it out there is always loads going on.

Highly Recommended.

The Holy Drinker - Holier than thou by chrisp

chrisp — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 14:06:56 +0000

Review by chrisp

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7801 0544

Tags: friendly, cool, relaxed

As one of only a tiny handful of decent bars in the Clapham Junction area, The Holy Drinker is patronised way above its worth. That's not to say it's a bad place, it's not - good selection of beers and wines, pleasant room, friendly bar staff - but it's always just so busy it's hardly ever worth the hassle dropping in.As one of only a tiny handful of decent bars in the Clapham Junction area, The Holy Drinker is patronised way above its worth. That's not to say it's a bad place, it's not - good selection of beers and wines, pleasant room, friendly bar staff - but it's always just so busy it's hardly ever worth the hassle dropping in.

Bison & Bird - Put them out of their misery by chrisp

chrisp — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 16:33:54 +0000

Review by chrisp

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 020 7622 4436

Website: http://www.bisonandbird.com/

Tags: house, cool & smart, young and fun

"The Bison & Bird is a new breed of bar serving brunch, lunch, dinner and arguably the best Sunday roast south of the river..."

Apparently.

Except on Friday and Saturday evenings when it magically transforms itself into an absolutely bog-standard high-street dive bar, dirty, noisy and massively over-patronised. I have, I freely admit, never tried the food, so maybe, despite how awful the place is in the evening, the walls flip around like a James Bond villain's secret lair and it becomes a nice light and refined place to enjoy the "best" Sunday roast south of the river. Unfortunately I will never find out because I'm going to do my best to never go again."The Bison & Bird is a new breed of bar serving brunch, lunch, dinner and arguably the best Sunday roast south of the river..."

Apparently.

Except on Friday and Saturday evenings when it magically transforms itself into an absolutely bog-standard high-street dive bar, dirty, noisy and massively over-patronised. I have, I freely admit, never tried the food, so maybe, despite how awful the place is in the evening, the walls flip around like a James Bond villain's secret lair and it becomes a nice light and refined place to enjoy the "best" Sunday roast south of the river. Unfortunately I will never find out because I'm going to do my best to never go again.

The White House - So good! by shortie_b

shortie_b — Sat, 17 May 2008 19:30:01 +0000

Review by shortie_b

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7498 3388

Tags: house, expensive, cocktails

Ok, so the White House has a bad rap (from reading this page) but some of these people haven't been there in 2 years!!
They've done heaps with the refurb. It's really cool and the top VIP bit is cosy.
Ther's eclectic music on Thursday nights, always get a good crowd and big discounts. I went with my mates last Thursday for Kitsch Bitch and there was a cocktail tasting (free booze!!) and the dim sum was 50% off.
The music was cool and the dance floor was packed by midnight.
I had a really great time and I'm always down on Thursdays, I love it.Ok, so the White House has a bad rap (from reading this page) but some of these people haven't been there in 2 years!!
They've done heaps with the refurb. It's really cool and the top VIP bit is cosy.
Ther's eclectic music on Thursday nights, always get a good crowd and big discounts. I went with my mates last Thursday for Kitsch Bitch and there was a cocktail tasting (free booze!!) and the dim sum was 50% off.
The music was cool and the dance floor was packed by midnight.
I had a really great time and I'm always down on Thursdays, I love it.

The Calf - Depends on what you're expecting... by mkdtw

mkdtw — Sun, 11 May 2008 11:59:57 +0000

Review by mkdtw

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7622 4019

Tags: relaxed, international, food

Amongst my friends, this pub would be rated fairly differently. At the positive end of the scale the venue has a great atmosphere, the dÃ©cor is kitted out in subtle lighting, rich colours, large oak tables, armchairs and comfy well worn sofas and tends to attract mixed groups of friends celebrating birthdays etc in the evenings or couples playing one of the board games from the stack at quieter times.

I personally like it here and will always remember it as the place where one of the bar staff recommended sweet-spicy 'Sailor Jerryâ¬"s' rum to me when I was a touch fed up with the taste JD and diet coke. And thatâ¬"s another of the positives, the wine and beer list is extensive and there are quirky little hand written chalkboard signs encouraging you to try the cider etc.

However, there are two major down sides, the place can sometimes become very very busy and unfortunately, the management seem to think its ok to struggle on with only 2 or 3 serving bar staff. This apparently also extends to the quality of the food and service which according to a couple of friends, who live around the corner, the quality isnâ¬"t the best and can take a long while to arrive.
Amongst my friends, this pub would be rated fairly differently. At the positive end of the scale the venue has a great atmosphere, the dÃ©cor is kitted out in subtle lighting, rich colours, large oak tables, armchairs and comfy well worn sofas and tends to attract mixed groups of friends celebrating birthdays etc in the evenings or couples playing one of the board games from the stack at quieter times.

I personally like it here and will always remember it as the place where one of the bar staff recommended sweet-spicy 'Sailor Jerryâ¬"s' rum to me when I was a touch fed up with the taste JD and diet coke. And thatâ¬"s another of the positives, the wine and beer list is extensive and there are quirky little hand written chalkboard signs encouraging you to try the cider etc.

However, there are two major down sides, the place can sometimes become very very busy and unfortunately, the management seem to think its ok to struggle on with only 2 or 3 serving bar staff. This apparently also extends to the quality of the food and service which according to a couple of friends, who live around the corner, the quality isnâ¬"t the best and can take a long while to arrive.

Bread & Roses - No longer a burlesque virgin by lenalouise

lenalouise — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 12:25:08 +0000

Review by lenalouise

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7498 1779

Website: http://www.breadandrosespub.com

Tags: live music, friendly, relaxed

I came here for a burlesque night when the London burlesque festival was on. I didn't even know this place existed as it's a ten minute walk down a residential road from Clapham High St. The atmosphere was buzzing as we walked in and there were some very glamorous looking ladies in there. It was quite full in the main room so we grabbed a tasty bottle of Rjoja and made our way out to the beer garden until the performances started.

The host was a slightly scary looking lady with a massive chest. Tee hee. There were about 10 different acts with a 15 minute interval halfway through. It was extremely fun but the only downside was that it was so packed that it was quite hard to see at some points. (They did later open up the curtains so people could watch from the beer garden). I'm not sure if the food is any good but the menu looks a bit more interesting than your average pub food.

Anyway, gotta go...off to get some nipple tassles ;)I came here for a burlesque night when the London burlesque festival was on. I didn't even know this place existed as it's a ten minute walk down a residential road from Clapham High St. The atmosphere was buzzing as we walked in and there were some very glamorous looking ladies in there. It was quite full in the main room so we grabbed a tasty bottle of Rjoja and made our way out to the beer garden until the performances started.

The host was a slightly scary looking lady with a massive chest. Tee hee. There were about 10 different acts with a 15 minute interval halfway through. It was extremely fun but the only downside was that it was so packed that it was quite hard to see at some points. (They did later open up the curtains so people could watch from the beer garden). I'm not sure if the food is any good but the menu looks a bit more interesting than your average pub food.

Anyway, gotta go...off to get some nipple tassles ;)

The Stonhouse - Dead end street - nope I was mistaken... by QueenB

QueenB — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 13:44:18 +0000

Review by QueenB

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7819 9312

Website: http://www.renaissancepubs.co.uk/SH/index.htm

Tags: lively, crowded, expensive

At the end of Stonhouse Street off of Clapham High Street, you may think you have come to a dead end but keep going and over on the right hand side is a lovely little find in the Stonhouse pub and restaurant.

Last Friday night I arrived after my 2 friends and found them sitting at a table by the window, amongst a throng of people - all about 25 - 40, trendy, friendly, loud but laid back.
We had superb service apart from poor waitress whose bolshy initial attitude is quite fine.
Great selection of wines, and decent menu along the lines of an upmarket gastro pub.

Both myself and my friend opted for the Argentian steak, mine with salad, hers with chips and a side of spinach, my other friend had the Suckling pig with mash.
Dont be fooled though as you could choose something more adventurous like ostrich fillet.

All the food was lovely and cooked well, I wouldn't of called my handful of Frisse a salad, so I felt a bit cheated there...

We finished off with 2 plates of Neals Yard cheeses, crackers and chutney. Run of the mill but good quality as you'd expect of NY products.
Going by portion sizes, i think it's alittle over priced for what it actually is but its good grub none the less.
I'd say this is more a Sunday brunch/late lunch kinda place?
I'm now aware that if you book on top table they have a deal of 2 courses for Â£12 which would be very reasonable.

If you want to have a quiet drink come here early in the week, dont get mislead by its location as it was heaving until we left at 11, so could prove problematic if you are with an older crowd.

At the end of Stonhouse Street off of Clapham High Street, you may think you have come to a dead end but keep going and over on the right hand side is a lovely little find in the Stonhouse pub and restaurant.

Last Friday night I arrived after my 2 friends and found them sitting at a table by the window, amongst a throng of people - all about 25 - 40, trendy, friendly, loud but laid back.
We had superb service apart from poor waitress whose bolshy initial attitude is quite fine.
Great selection of wines, and decent menu along the lines of an upmarket gastro pub.

Both myself and my friend opted for the Argentian steak, mine with salad, hers with chips and a side of spinach, my other friend had the Suckling pig with mash.
Dont be fooled though as you could choose something more adventurous like ostrich fillet.

All the food was lovely and cooked well, I wouldn't of called my handful of Frisse a salad, so I felt a bit cheated there...

We finished off with 2 plates of Neals Yard cheeses, crackers and chutney. Run of the mill but good quality as you'd expect of NY products.
Going by portion sizes, i think it's alittle over priced for what it actually is but its good grub none the less.
I'd say this is more a Sunday brunch/late lunch kinda place?
I'm now aware that if you book on top table they have a deal of 2 courses for Â£12 which would be very reasonable.

If you want to have a quiet drink come here early in the week, dont get mislead by its location as it was heaving until we left at 11, so could prove problematic if you are with an older crowd.

Rinky Dink - Damian Isaacs by damianisacas

damianisacas — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 15:40:03 +0000

Review by damianisacas

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7627 1036

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

Tags: live music, bar, lively

Glad you liked our pizzas lena, agree with you about the bar needing refurbing. Its been packed every weekend since we opened four years ago and it really needed a new facelift! Well that's been done now and it looks fantastic :)

Same leather sofas and same vibe that everyone loves, just better !

We are now taking bookings for Feb and March (sorry all booked up now in Jan.)and we have our 4th Birthday on Saturday 2nd February with DJ Lottie(radio 1). Next time your in come say hi, and ill give you your Pizza on the house:)

Damian
owner Rinky Dink

Glad you liked our pizzas lena, agree with you about the bar needing refurbing. Its been packed every weekend since we opened four years ago and it really needed a new facelift! Well that's been done now and it looks fantastic :)

Same leather sofas and same vibe that everyone loves, just better !

We are now taking bookings for Feb and March (sorry all booked up now in Jan.)and we have our 4th Birthday on Saturday 2nd February with DJ Lottie(radio 1). Next time your in come say hi, and ill give you your Pizza on the house:)

Damian
owner Rinky Dink

The Frog & Forget-Me-Not - Great for a pub quiz by lenalouise

lenalouise — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 23:07:35 +0000

Review by lenalouise

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7622 5230

Tags: pub, pool tables, terrace

The Frog has quickly become a regular hangout on Tuesday nights for me when I'm off work. They have a really good pub quiz - it's always packed, you can actually hear the questions and the quiz is good! Brilliant :D There's a few teams that go back every week so you get to know people in there.

There's also the opportunity to win a load of money in a raffle they do after the quiz finishes. Whoever wins the raffle can choose between a bottle of wine and the chance to win the cash. They have a load of keys in envelopes and you have to pick the right one to open the safe. If no-one wins, the money rolls over to the next week so I've seen the pot get up to Â£1000!!! They have a billiards table aswell (no, I don't know the rules...).

If you're feeling peckish during the quiz, try some of the thai food. I've had one thing from there and it was actually not bad. The Frog has quickly become a regular hangout on Tuesday nights for me when I'm off work. They have a really good pub quiz - it's always packed, you can actually hear the questions and the quiz is good! Brilliant :D There's a few teams that go back every week so you get to know people in there.

There's also the opportunity to win a load of money in a raffle they do after the quiz finishes. Whoever wins the raffle can choose between a bottle of wine and the chance to win the cash. They have a load of keys in envelopes and you have to pick the right one to open the safe. If no-one wins, the money rolls over to the next week so I've seen the pot get up to Â£1000!!! They have a billiards table aswell (no, I don't know the rules...).

If you're feeling peckish during the quiz, try some of the thai food. I've had one thing from there and it was actually not bad.

Revolution Bar - Meat Market by QueenB

QueenB — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 16:15:21 +0000

Review by QueenB

Rating: 2.00

Phone: 020 7720 6642

Website: http://www.revolution-bars.co.uk

Tags: food, busy, european

As with the whole chain of Revolutions, the drinks and selection of Vodka is great.
Sadly, on most nights the music in here is awful house that is wrong for that kind fo bar, they need funky, singalong, uplifting style of music not all electro and euro stuff.
Crowd are mainly new to london locals made up of SA's, Aussies and Kiwi's.

This bar on both floors generally gets so busy you can't move abou let alone dance and seems to give the lads a license to treat it as gift to maul any girl in grabbing distance or drunkenly and obliviously knock drinks out of your hands.

BUT catch this on a more chilled night, with a good DJ and calmer crowd and it makes for a fun night without the stress of fighting your way to the bar or toilets.As with the whole chain of Revolutions, the drinks and selection of Vodka is great.
Sadly, on most nights the music in here is awful house that is wrong for that kind fo bar, they need funky, singalong, uplifting style of music not all electro and euro stuff.
Crowd are mainly new to london locals made up of SA's, Aussies and Kiwi's.

This bar on both floors generally gets so busy you can't move abou let alone dance and seems to give the lads a license to treat it as gift to maul any girl in grabbing distance or drunkenly and obliviously knock drinks out of your hands.

BUT catch this on a more chilled night, with a good DJ and calmer crowd and it makes for a fun night without the stress of fighting your way to the bar or toilets.

The Coach & Horses - Homey local by lenalouise

lenalouise — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 21:42:16 +0000

Review by lenalouise

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7622 3815

Website: http://www.barbeerian-inns.com

Tags: food, real ale, pub

I'm so happy to have this place as one of my local pubs. It's so down to earth (usually filled with Australians) and a perfect place to relax with a pint of real ale. Drinks are around the usual London prices but the food is good value for money. They have Sunday roasts (the lamb is gorgeously yummy) and the desserts are decent too.

Coach and Horses is the perfect place to watch rugby aswell. They have 2 large projectors. It gets rammed but if you go early and grab a good seat, it's great. The atmosphere is electric. I was in here quite a lot when the world cup was on. I think they also have a quiz night (possibly on Mondays) but I've never been to it.I'm so happy to have this place as one of my local pubs. It's so down to earth (usually filled with Australians) and a perfect place to relax with a pint of real ale. Drinks are around the usual London prices but the food is good value for money. They have Sunday roasts (the lamb is gorgeously yummy) and the desserts are decent too.

Coach and Horses is the perfect place to watch rugby aswell. They have 2 large projectors. It gets rammed but if you go early and grab a good seat, it's great. The atmosphere is electric. I was in here quite a lot when the world cup was on. I think they also have a quiz night (possibly on Mondays) but I've never been to it.