The Bridge, Barnes, SW13

This is another pub that brands itself as a pub and dining room, and it certainly lives up to that description. Inside there's a fairly large area at the back with tables laid for diners, while a similar area at the front is available for drinkers. There's gastro grey all over the place, and decor is unsurprisingly rowing themed considering this pub's proximity to the river on the Boat Race course. There are prints of rowers on the walls, bits of boats (or whatever they are called) around the place, and even a complete boat plus an oar suspended from the high ceiling in the dining area. Furnishings comprised upholstered settles, a few armchairs, some re-cycled Sunday school chairs, re-cycled dining room tables, and loads of normal chairs. A decent mix in fact. A large TV was on one of the walls in the "drinking" area, but switched off when I was in on Wednesday lunchtime. There were candles on all the tables, a vase of lilies on the bar counter, and that other gastro indicator - wine bottles in the bar back. They did have four ales on, but all from major suppliers - London Pride, Theakston's Bitter, Deuchar's IPA, and St Austell Tribute (£2.20 a half). There were no menus in the bar area where I sat, but a glance at the menu outside the front door confirmed my suspicions that pub grub wasn't a big player here - but on weekday lunchtimes they do sandwiches for £5 to £6 (include the essential cheese & pickle) including chips. Although this is now as much restaurant as pub, it still operates as a pub which is obviously a good thing. But although it lacks the traditional "pubby" feel that I like most, it's still a fairly relaxed place to spend some time (at least it was on Wedenesday afternoon). I'm glad it's still here for the residents to enjoy.

Official site of The Bridge - www.thebridgeinbarnes.co.uk

Official site of The Bridge - www.thebridgeinbarnes.co.uk

Largish pub with separate dining area to the rear.Candles abound on every surface. Two handpumps with Ruddles and Duechers.Passable Duechers.

A pub with a definite upmarket feel, wood floors, big tables, big plates. Outside it says "Pub and Dining Room" which is pretty accurate as although technically one large space with an island bar, the front bit is the pub and the back the dining room with set tables. The front bar has mostly traditional seating with a pair of sofas and a high table in the window. Interesting decor once you've accepted the gastro green and grey colour scheme, purple in the foody area, there are bundles of framed vinyl album covers, film and play flyers, Marilyn Monroe posters, framed 50's comics and so on. Classic orange spine Penguin books and 45 records line the window cills. Typically with a pub of this type there are carefully mismatched chairs at the tables, large pot plants and unusually a large silver cow's head displayed in the dining room. A decent garden area to the rear with a raised decking area. As far as the beer is concerned there are three handpumps, Bombardier, Adnam's Bitter and Caledonian 80/-. Jugs hang on hooks over the bar. A comfortable laid back pub on Saturday afternoon with papers laid out on a sideboard, golf (thankfully) muted on TV and low key music playing.