The Prince Of Wales, Balham, SW12

This is a basic backstreet locals’ boozer as far as I could tell. There were a handful of apparent regulars in there during my midweek lunchtime visit, some splitting their time between sitting in the bar, and undertaking regular forays to the pavement outside for their nicotine boost. There are two bars, but only one was seemingly in use during my visit. There was a carpet on the floor still in fairly good nick; red upholstered banquettes; a few normal chairs, and some metal framed rectangular tables. There was some pop music being played from the large flatscreen TV on the wall – MTV or something of that ilk. There were a few odds and ends as decor on the walls, but nothing that I noted. I didn’t see anyone eating, nor any sign of a menu. There were three handpumps on the bar counter, with none in use. The only bitter was John Smith’s and at £3.50 a pint (!!), that is a bit of a showstopper for me, which means that an otherwise unprepossessing backstreet pub is unlikely to get my custom again.

Bit of a plain pub. No real ale. Very empty when I went in on a Saturday lunch time. Not much to say really, call in if your passing, seems to be the only pub in the area.