The Ship, Wandsworth
As someone who’s lived the majority of their life “south of the river” (Thames), I’ve got to know a few of the best (and worst) pubs in south London. It’s a list and it’s totally subjective, so I’d love your suggestions on where else to check out, but if you happen to stray down south here are a few pubs worth checking out:
The Ship, Wandsworth: Half-pub, half-boat – The Ship is a great venue in warmer weather, albeit a confusing schlep from Wandsworth Town station. The awesome aroma of barbecues and the mellow bobbing of the Thames make for a long, chilled-out evening by the river.
Priory Arms, Stockwell: This isn’t in the list just because I used to play cricket for them, but it is a real old fashioned free house in the heart of London’s “Little Portugal”. It’s also where I was introduced to Summer Lightning. Good for watching sport.
The Rake, Borough Market: It’s tiny but it’s got an incredible selection of beer from all over the world which it rotates, so it’s never dull. If you’re in Borough Market make sure you stop by for a pint. Here’s a recent video review of The Rake we did recently.
The Woolpack, London Bridge: Set in a street that’s almost out of a film set, The Woolpack has gone through something of a regeneration and now serves great food, has a young and funky vibe about it (set as it is in a creative hub) and a lovely beer garden.
Bricklayers Arms, Putney: London’s never-ending beer festival rotates its wide range of guest ales regularly and has a lovely tucked-away vibe to it. It’s a good, old-fashioned boozer. You can see our review of the pub’s real ale selection in this real ale review.
The Falcon, Clapham Junction: If you miss your connection at Clapham Junction and have a while to wait then pop out to The Falcon, which is a stone’s throw (from a weak arm) from the station exit. It boasts the longest bar in UK and has a genuine Victorian pub feel about it. Oh, and it has a great selection of ales on tap.
The Sun, Clapham: The Sun is a great little place just off Clapham Common in Clapham Old Town. As well as serving great food it’s the perfect place to meet any time of the year, but especially summer.
The Sun, Barnes: Another Sun, but this one’s in leafy Barnes overlooking the common. Great vibe, good food and a real country village feel.
The Bedford, Balham: This dynamic, funky pub mixes the old with the new. Downstairs you can enjoy real ale in comfy chairs while upstairs you can learn how to dance tango. In a suburb loaded with pretentious neon bars The Bedford is a welcome oasis.
Tooting Tram and Social, Tooting: Set in the unique backdrop of a former tram yard, the Tooting Tram and Social serves an awesome range of real ale and gives you a real sense of comfort and space while staying true to its roots as an old tram shed.
Tweet
Some good’uns here, but I’ll throw in the Leigham Arms, Streatham.
I’m biased as I used to live within a stone’s throw, but as a proper old-school boozer I don’t think it can be beaten.
I know the place. It’s a real village pub and reasonably cheap. Not sure it makes my top ten, though….