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Random news of the day with Tris39
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Image posted by Graham Mason
Submitted on Monday, 22nd September 2014
With picture contributions to 11805 other pubs
View all this pub's pictures (12 more images)
Detail Pages
The Grove, Balham, SW12
SW12
SW12 8PN
Served areas
Reviews of The Grove (Average Rating: 4½ of 10) see review guidelines
Bucking Fastard left this review about The Grove
Down a quiet back street area ,this large street corner Youngs house dominates it's neighbours and stands out. Sadly once inside the full horror of a Youngs refurb is revealed with a false lower ceiling installed removing any feeling of oppulance to the front bar.The furniture is sparse,there is a silly high long table and comfy chairs elsewhere and only two small banquettes to the side offer any relief from modernity .Through an arch is a much larger section with a sky light in a raised rear and a more traditional feel but pitched as a dining area and liable to have family groups consuming from the pub grub menu.
The handpumps were drawing Youngs Original and Special (a malty mess,clear,NBSS 2.5) and two real ciders but no guest ale.Nothing here to warrant a revisit,it could be so much better with some though and removal of modern "improvements".
On 4th May 2024
- rating: 4
[User has posted 2737 recommendations about 2737 pubs]
Tris C left this review about The Grove
Dating from the 1870s, this is a huge grand pub in an increasingly gentrified and attractive Balham backstreet, its size belying its remote location.
The interior is voluminous with a fabulously ornate ceiling and grand lantern over where once there may have been a billiard table or two. However, this is yet another example of one of Young’s awful Groundhog Day, identikit mega-makeovers, with modern floor, smoky blue walls, brown/ochre-coloured punctuations and bare brick, particularly to the bar back with its tubular steel racking; zoned styles and colour schemes rule the roost here. The rugby was on, terrible acoustics amplifying the sound of the shrieking, young professional crowd.
It's increasing clear that sarf of the Thames, Young’s has no interest in stocking the Proper Job option, making do with just London Original and Special, a pint of Oil resulting in me being robbed of £7.30.
This is now a rather tiresome place, with better – e.g. Balham Bowls Club – a shorter walk from the station.
On 31st March 2024
- rating: 3
[User has posted 2000 recommendations about 1966 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
custodian 42 left this review about The Grove
Still looks like a Young's pub. Room to the right, then the bar with four hand pumps, nothing above 4.5% ABV. Walk past the bar and there is a far longer room to the left, which was hosting a private party on my visit.
On 2nd September 2017
- rating: 4
[User has posted 1693 recommendations about 1691 pubs]
View more reviews of The Grove (7)
Pubs Galore is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
- Official site of the Grove - www.grovebalham.com
- Grove page at the Youngs site - www.youngs.co.uk
- Facebook - The Grove Pub
- Twitter - Grove Balham
- CAMRA WhatPub :: The Grove - whatpub.com
Wandsworth Common, 0.78 miles, 15 min walk (show)
Streatham Hill, 1.44 miles, 27 min walk (show)
Pub Details
Pub details supplied by members of this site to the best of their knowledge. Please check with pub directly before making a special trip.
- Accommodation : No last updated 30 March 2024 by Tris C
- Bar Billiards : No last updated 30 March 2024 by Tris C
- Beer Festivals : No last updated 30 March 2024 by Tris C
- Beer Garden : No last updated 30 March 2024 by Tris C
- CAMRA Discount : No last updated 30 March 2024 by Tris C
- Car Park : No last updated 30 March 2024 by Tris C
- Darts : No last updated 30 March 2024 by Tris C
- Function Room : No last updated 30 March 2024 by Tris C
- Hot Food : Yes last updated 11 January 2009 by Moby Duck
- Jukebox : No last updated 30 March 2024 by Tris C
- Karaoke : No last updated 30 March 2024 by Tris C
- Live Music : No last updated 30 March 2024 by Tris C
- Live TV Sports : Yes - Six Nations. - last updated 30 March 2024 by Tris C
- Micropub : No last updated 30 March 2024 by Tris C
- Pinball : No last updated 30 March 2024 by Tris C
- Pool Table : No last updated 30 March 2024 by Tris C
- Quiz Night : Yes - Thursdays 20.00. - last updated 30 March 2024 by Tris C
- Real Ale : Yes last updated 11 January 2009 by Moby Duck
- Real Cider : No last updated 30 March 2024 by Tris C
- WiFi : Yes last updated 30 March 2024 by Tris C
