The Nott, South Lambeth, SW8

Dating from the mid-19th century as the Nottingham Castle though with Burke’s Freehouse still visible to the rear, dating from at least 1989. Externally scruffy, the place seems to market itself as a caff by day and bar by night with an ‘Oriental’ kitchen. With heritage amounting to two or three unloved etched glass dividers clinging on for dear life, it’s a bit scruffy inside too, with a scuffed floor, stripped out, darts and pool to the rear, games machine, tacky fliers advertising drinks’ deals and sports’ fixtures, football with the sound off though a good Police, Yazoo and ABC soundtrack, all to a Primula cheese spread colour scheme. Customers were an older and mixed representation of modern multicultural Britain: Black, Asian, Loughton and seemingly Eastern European, making for a decent buzz. There’s no cask, a half of Fosters, £2.10 and served by a friendly barman. This place needs some work doing to it and there’s no cask, but the locals seemed happy here and at least it’s affordable.

A sign brands this as a "bar/cafe"; I guess it's a bar as they sell booze, and a cafe as they also sell coffee, such as capuccino for £1.50 a pop. I also saw Chinese food advertised, either eat in or takeaway, so it's a bit of a mixed bag then. But what they don't do is any real ale. There was a shiny new GKIPA clipped handpump but I was told that they don't do it although they may do so some time in the future. Furnishings are simple tables and chairs in this bare-boarded one-room pub. The colour scheme is a bit unusual - light blue table tops; yellow painted ceiling, and pink walls. At the back of the room there's a pool table, a dartboard, and a pull down TV screen. Some banale pop music was being played. I found it a bit like having a drink in an office canteen. Although its regulars no doubt appreciate the pub the way it is, the prospect of the outside chance of getting some GKIPA is not likely to draw me back.