The Jugged Hare, SW1

Randomness Guide to London - Jugged Hare entry

Randomness Guide to London - Jugged Hare entry

Small plush bank conversion very much in what I would say is Fullers style with dark wood perches/stools around the room with a few tables as well. Lots of old London paintings around the walls. There is a more formal mezzanine area. Its a smart well presented pub and pleasant place to have a drink. Beer was average, usual Fullers range

This is a lovely looking pub that has been converted from a bank and along with the front bar area there is a section with seating at the rear and a balcony overhead. I’m not one to pick up on paintings or in fact any forms of art in a pub, but I was taken with the huge painting on the wall in the bar area. I found the barmaid to be very friendly and five Fullers ales were available along with a standard draught selection. I enjoyed a nice pint of Pride whilst reading the subtitles on the plasma from BBC News 24 and being a fan of Fullers pubs I will return when next passing.

Being a former Bank worker, there is nothing more enjoyable than seeing one my previous potential workhouses turning itself into a pub. Fullers have done a pretty good job this former (I think it was a) NatWest in that they have retained much of the building's character despite the obvious internal alterations. The main bar has tiled flooring, a grand brass chandelier and a large (if rather fading) portrait dominating the far wall. The rear (where the the old Manager's offices would have been situated), has been opened out but still retains a separate identity to the main body of the pub. Stairs lead up to a balcony bar with additional seating. My recent visit was the first for some time but the range and quality of the ales was excellent (they were awarded Fullers Cellar of the Year in 2006, about the time of my only previous visit). 5 hand pumps with ESB, HSB, Discovery, Pride and Chiswick. There is not a great deal of competition in the immediate area and it was comfortably busy for a Thursday evening with a civilised and mixed crowd of people. It isn't an area that tends to attract people from afar but it is certainly one of the few pubs in the area I would be happy to make a venue for a decent session.