The Griffin Belle, SW8

Sometimes, a pub visit turns up something completely unexpected, and that was most definitely the case with this absolutely mental backstreet pub, which has one of the most outlandish interiors I've even seen. A checker tiled floor gives it a US roadside diner feel, as do the nice padded banquettes around the perimeter and retro chairs through the centre of the room and in the smaller back room, which has been knocked through and now essentially comprises part of the same space. The bar is in the middle of the building and has a mad mirrored counter front with butterfly lampshades hanging from above and a fake flower strewn bar back that doubles as the hotel reception according to a neon sign above. Talking of fake flowers, the whole right-hand wall is obscured by fake roses and the ceiling in both rooms has been covered with a trellis entwined with even more fake plants and butterflies. The rear room has a cool, silvery tiled feature wall and the windows in both rooms have star shaped fairy lights hung in them. If this visual overload wasn't enough, there are also lots of big TV screens showing a range of sports with 90's club tunes banging out over the sound system. Amazingly they've got a cask ale on the go, with Fullers London Pride double clipped at £6.50 a pint. A couple of Beavertown brews were available on keg alongside the usual global brands. The barmaid could not have been any friendlier and took great care to make sure she pulled me a good pint of Pride. There were only a couple of other punters in on a mid-week evening, so there was a relaxed feel, but I can imagine it's pretty intense in here when it gets busy. I can't say that this is my kind of pub, but I can only applaud their efforts to create something unique and memorable. The fact that they kept a great pint of Pride was an unexpected bonus, however this is the sort of pub that I'm really glad that I happened upon once, but can't see me making a return visit to. Date of visit - 12th September 2024

This is a mid-19th century pub, originally the Builders Arms, formerly the Vauxhall Griffin, the current name dating from 2018. The aspidistra no longer flying, this is now part of the small Belle chain and totally changed since the last review, the interior is a bit of a shocker, the black and white chequered floor being the sanest item of note. Thereafter, there are a multitude of mirrors, modern herringbone bevelled mirrors to the bar back, the entire bar front clad with more bevelled mirrors, looking like a fairground attraction. At least one wall and the entire ceiling are completely covered with gaudy plastic flowers and similar vines, the latter also featuring oversized plastic butterflies. Furniture features marble topped tables with tubular steel chairs and a burgundy fluted banquette. Customers amounted to a lost looking family of three, all eating rather than looking at the seven large and one enormous TVs showing random dross with the sound off, so as not to compete with Kylie playing on my arrival. Cask amounted to just Pride, so it was a half of Neck Oil at a shocking £3.80, served by a nonchalant manager. Customers aside, with all the plastic flowers, butterflies, Pride, mirrors and Kylie I’ve never been in such a camp pub (though I’d yet to visit their sister pub, the Duchess Belle) and I’d just come from the RVT.

Official site of The Griffin Belle - www.bellepubsandrestaurants.co.uk

Official site of The Griffin Belle - www.bellepubsandrestaurants.co.uk

The price of Wainwright ale has gone up to £4.95. Used to like this pub, friendly staff. But it has priced me out of their customers. If there was a zero rating, it would be given so gave it 1 and that is being generous. Not going back in there again.