This one's settled in nicely after its refurb, making it a classy and comfortable place to go with superb beers and great, good value food. The corner site provides a triple aspect onto Wandsworth common and the big windows and...
<h3>our final review</h3><h4> posted by jack on 30/6/2004</h4><h4>last rating: <img src='/images/rating_2.png' alt='last rating: 2 pints' title='last rating: 2...
When an area gentrifies there's usually an impact on the local pubs. Round these parts the rise in house prices has seen pubs remodelling themselves with lounge style interiors, or, as in the case of the Surrey Tavern, being...
It's always a worry when the first thing we see when we enter a pub is tables set for lunch or dinner. We were heartily relieved on this occasion, as it was only the tables at the front that were laid out this way on our latest...
Summing up the couples with young families who move here, the epithet 'Nappy Valley' often gets applied to the area around Wandsworth Common. Given the choice of pubs on offer we feel 'Gastro Gorge' does the job just as well....
Another outpost of the B@1 chain and it's friendly enough, if not very big. It's possibly eclipsed by the Balham Bowls Club next door, but if you'd rather have a cocktail, this is the place for you.
Well, you can't fault this one on originality. The name says it all: once the Clubhouse for the local bowls club, when the club closed down, the property was bought up and reopened as a bar. The fixtures and fittings were...
Landmark along this stretch of Balham High Road, the White Eagle Club is a Polish bastion with regular live music, salsa nights (how Polish is that?) and dancing. Polish beer and (apparently very authentic) food as well as a...
This one hasn't been the haven we'd expect from Wetherspoon pubs since their policy of not having tellies changed. It's now open for breakfast from 7.00am, which seems to be a trend with 'spoon pubs as a whole. We have yet to...
On first thought we weren't actually sure if the Exhibit merited inclusion into the Fancyapint? hall of fame, as it's a cinema with a bar and restaurant attached. But on balance, as it served pints and these seemed to be the...
Odd that we've missed this one out to date as it's right across the road from one of our favourites in the area. Or, maybe not - we obviously never get out of <a...
If you're unfamiliar with the area, the Eagle Ale House is pleasing discovery, located between Wandsworth Common and Clapham Junction - a local pub with an independent spirit to it. The beers are great, with regular guest ales...
The Young's makeover juggernaut rolls into Balham and this is the result. Not too long ago the Duke of Devonshire was a large, adept community boozer: one that could with equal conviction play host to older locals in the front...
Closed for a refurb - will get back to it once it reopens
We had high hopes for this sister pub to <a href="http://www.fancyapint.com/pubs/pub1059.php">the Westbridge</a> and thankfully they were realised on our last visit. It's not huge, with a bar space at the...
It was given quite a makeover last year and has gone from being a grotty old school boozer to one with a younger, more open feel. The basics are all good - a good choice of real ales (with proper dimpled mugs too, for those who...
The Bedford is big. In another world it could be an army barracks. A huge slab of a building containing a ballroom, a theatre, umpteen function rooms various bars - of course - stairs, half landings and various mysterious...
Conjuring up images of Arthurian legend - or perhaps Bryan Ferry in a white dinner jacket - this Balham pub's been spruced up by the people behind The Abbeville in Clapham and The White Hart in Kennington. So, dining room in;...
Talk about a time capsule - we don't think this one's changed since the last time we visited, almost a decade ago; it doesn't look like it's been decorated since then and okay, it's slightly dingy. It even looked closed until...
There is a certain chunk of Battersea/Clapham that is completely and utterly in love with the Holy Drinker to an almost X-rated degree. Virtually every night the tight interior is crammed with the trendy set who lap up the...
