The Pig's Head, Clapham, SW4

Nice open airy pub with raised area to rear.Open plan kitchen.Comfortable leather settees And stylish décor.Decent beer selection with 4 handpumps inc Fullers -spring sprinter and a good Sambrookes -junction.

As the previous reviewer says, this is nothing like a traditional pub. But there were a couple of ales on when I popped in on Wednesday afternoon – Sambrook Junction (£1.85 a half), and Samuel Adams Blond Ambition, plus a Doom Bar clip reversed. The draft cider when I was in was Old Rosie. The large area at the back past the food counter has tables all laid for diners, but there was a fairly large area near the bar counter for use by drinkers, although sofas and armchairs predominate here. All the tables had clipboard menus on them. There was a fixed price menu (two courses for £10, and three for £13); and our old favourites the Gloucestershire Old Spot sausages, and the pork and chorizo burgers were present. The bar counter and bar back look like original features, but otherwise this place has been completely stripped out over the years. It’s not the sort of pubby pub I like most, but it was there, and open, when I was around the area so it served my purpose admirably.

This pub was not on my schedule during my midweek afternoon visit to Clapham but having found The Prince of Wales, The Rose and Crown and The Bobbin all shut, I was glad to find somewhere open for service. It doesn't look very pubby from the outside, I peered in warily and thankfully spotted four handpumps on the bar. A large wood floored open plan space with high tables in the windows, some sofas and armchairs but plenty of regular seating too. A series of circular section cast iron columns in the front area where the bar is located, vaulted barrel ceiling to the middle area then up a few steps to where the room dog-legs over to an area with a couple of sky lights and an exposed brick wall displaying a few arty prints. I sat in the front opposite the bar, lower walls are panelled, plenty of mirrors form the décor including a large Charrington's variety. The mirror theme continues along the bar back which is topped by a row of wine and Champagne bottles. A food servery area forms an extension to the bar counter. There were a few board games on the end of the bar. The handpumps offered Hop Back Summer Lightning, Doom Bar, Sambrooks Junction and Lancaster Brewery Tales from the Brewhouse Lemon Grass (£4). A fifth handpump further along the bar was clipped with Westons Traditional Scrumpy. I noticed a large selection of gins on the bar. A side wall displayed numerous beer mats from previous guest ales. This was the second Clapham pub I visited on the day with a jar of doggie treats on the bar. Food served, sandwiches £6.50-£7.50 served with fries, wine lists on the tables, soup of the day on a small chalkboard was broad bean and courgette but I couldn't see any main menus at 3:45pm. Not really my idea of a traditional pub, it has a bit of an upmarket trendy vibe but it was fine for a much needed pint on Wednesday afternoon.

Take care when you're in the calf The barman is not very clear He mumbled something about an ale Which didn't quite reach my ear When I asked what he said He decided to shout it out As I was in a relaxed mood I didn't return his shout I got my ale and took a seat A short distance from the bar Though it was across the room It was not very far To a lady he served after me He talked in a normal voice And I could hear every word Though it wasn't my own choice I heard him say, he could earn more In the job he used to do And how he is in a bad mood What you do now is up to you The choice of ales is quite good Though the price you may find steep Just remember to take earplugs If your hearing you want to keep.

This pub was packed when i came in on a Saturday afternoon and everybody was eating or waiting to eat except me so i felt a bit out of place here i could only see one handpump which had Meantime IPA on this was a fairly decent drink i think this pub caters for upmarket 20 to 30 year olds i did'nt rate this one much.