The Rose, Fulham, SW6

Dating from the early 19th century, this appears to have been rebuilt and probably in the 1930s, for Watney’s. It spent some time operating as the Fulham Tup, before reverting to the current name by 2011. There’s much bland grey patterned wallpaper, though I couldn’t see much else due to there being around three Christmas parties operating simultaneously, one being very inebriated and a bit chavvy, at least one spotty teenager swaying around, paper hat on head. This peloton was near impenetrable, making it hard to manoeuvre into a position where I could see the pumps. One was unused, another dispensing something from Sambrook’s and another unread, meaning I had to opt for a half of Neck Oil at £3.30, knocked back in around two gulps, before making a quick dash for the door. In fairness, it may be hard to evaluate this place during these festive shenanigans, but it’s rather up to the pub to ensure that other drinkers have a pleasant experience, denied to me.

Mainly an eating pub with three weak real ales on offer. Not a place for me.

Official site of The Rose - www.therosefulham.co.uk

Official site of The Rose - www.therosefulham.co.uk

Two ales on – Doom Bar and Black Sheep Bitter, the latter at the standard price (for this part of the world anyway) of £3.60 a pint. I didn’t see any menus, as I suppose I was in a bit late at 2.50 PM, but they clearly do food as a group of people were finishing their lunch. The pub has an unusual layout, with a central circular bar counter with drinking and dining areas all around it. The walls and ceiling are all painted pastel shades (an improvement on black in my opinion), the floor is bare-boarded of course with what looks like the original boards, or perhaps reclaimed boards. In any case it’s real wood rather than the synthetic replica flooring I’ve seen too often. There was a coal fire on the go, with the regulation sofas and low table in front of it, although the remainder of the furnishings was normal tables and chairs. There were a couple of mirrors on the walls, plus a number of “artistic” sketches and prints. But there were no one-armed bandits in a place like this, and the music being played was at background level. This is yet another pub in this area that seems to cater for the more well-heeled punter. But the BSB was good, and the service was friendly to someone who was only in there for a beer. I can’t see me going out of my way to visit again, but I have been in many worse pubs.