The Bulls Head, Barnes, SW13

The Bulls Head is a large grand looking pub that is facing the river Thames. I went in a largish room at the front of the pub which was a decent enough room to have a drink in,this pub is a Youngs tied house and there were three of their beers on the bar i had a drink of Youngs Winter Warmer and this was a very nice drink on a cold day the other beers were Youngs bitter and Special. Pub visited 14/12/2002

One of three Youngs pubs in Barnes, The Bulls Head is a well known music venue - one of Youngs “famous four” in this respect – and, as we approach, we see the pub proudly announcing itself as having an “Internationally renowned reputation since 1959 for the performance of mainstream and modern jazz concerts”. The pub is situated on a road that runs alongside the river for a short while until you start to leave Barnes. Unfortunately, the pub is on the far side of the road and doesn’t therefore really count as a riverside pub, particularly since a high concrete wall, built as a protection against high tides, obscures any view of the river from the pub. Notably, unlike the restaurant next door ( a former pub called The Watermans Arms, by the way ), an upstairs balcony, which would afford fine river views, is not in use as part of the pub. It’s quite an imposing building externally with its twin columned entrance but, inside, a central island bar serves what appears to act as little more than a waiting room for those attending live music in the adjoining Yamaha Jazz Room. The bar area retains a fine moulded ceiling, some exposed brickwork and a fine Bass mirror, but, like all too many of Youngs pubs, refurbishment and general opening out means it is now a pale shadow of its former self from the décor perspective. At the back of the bar area, numerous posters and flyers advertise forthcoming gigs. At the front, a hot food counter – unusually for Youngs pubs, food is not cooked to order here – provides a basic hot food menu. At the back, separate premises house a subcontracted food operation – currently Nuays Thai Bistro. For many years, the pub has been run by Dan Fleming, a rather abrasive character who might, diplomatically, be described as being somewhat lacking in the people skills department and who makes no pretence at hiding the fact that he is running a business and not a social meeting place for the local community. I’ve called in here on a number of occasions over the years and he clearly now recognises me, but a rather cursory nod of acknowledgement is still the limit of the welcome afforded. On my recent visit, the Youngs Ordinary - £ 3.20p – was moderate. Unless you’re planning to come here for the jazz, there’s little, if anything, to warrant a visit.

I waited for 5 minutes at the bar before anyone appeared behind it to serve me. I'm not a fan of standing around like some mug waiting to be served, especially when I'm surrounded by the smell of half eaten plates of Thai food that haven't been cleared up. An apology may have been nice, but no such luck. Youngs Ordinary was available along with various lagers, but the Special and Bombardier were both off. There was no atmosphere to speak of and at £3.50 a pint you won't ever catch me in here again.

Large Youngs pub facing the river. Has regular live jazz. Has an island bar. Was empty when I visited at lunch time, (must change my aftershave), probably picks up when the live bands are on.