Tia Maria, South Lambeth, SW8

Dating from the 18th century as the Wheatsheaf and rebuilt in the 19th, the current name and presumably makeover dating from 2011, supposedly a Brazilian-themed restaurant and bar. The L-shaped interior is quite large and opened out with a scuffed bare boarded floor – which bounced – then severely distressed bare brick, plank cladding and exposed structural ironwork with a little grey paint to walls, the similarly scruffy ceiling festooned with electrical paraphernalia. To the front is a raised area, presumably for weekly live music and karaoke come Thursdays. Furniture amounted to fairly conventional chairs but with tables topped with Formica, looking like more distressed planks. There were a handful of interesting oil paintings by way of décor, but thereafter the only element of heritage was a simple bar back, molested, the bar with an attractive green front. Customers amounted to just two Brazilians, neither eating and seemingly on friendly terms with the barmaid. Drinkies amounted to three unused pumps, with a half of Pravha at a shocking £3.00, served by the Brazilian barmaid. If you like fizz and scruffy pubs, then this is the place for you, but I actually preferred it to the Griffin Belle.

Official site of Tia Maria - tiamarialondon.com

Official site of Tia Maria - tiamarialondon.com

This place brands itself as a Brazilian music bar and restaurant, and the Portuguese language featured on the menu. Although Tex/Mex style stuff featured, they also did other pub favourites such as beer-battered cod and chips (£9.95). Real ale seems to come and go in here, but when I was in on Thursday of last week they had on Doom Bar and Deuchars IPA. The latter was £3.80 a pint, but I was told that if I had been there after 3.00 PM it would have been only £3.50. Although it calls itself a restaurant, there were no tables laid for diners, and it seemed that all tables were available for those just wanting a drink. But it was desperately quiet when I was in, with just two other punters having a drink and bite to eat. The exterior is that of a typical small Victorian pub, and the interior still retains the mahogany bar back. The old Saloon and Public Bar signage still survives in the doors to the street, as well as some etched/cut glass in the bar back’s panels, now unfortunately obscured by posters and advertisements. There are two largely separate rooms, joined by a door-sized archway, and the room on the right has the stage where the live music is performed. One of the walls is exposed brickwork, and another has a bunch of straw hats on it as a decorative feature no doubt tipping its hat to its South American branding. A Bob Marley album was playing, and free wi-fi is advertised. Although there’s considerable evidence of its former life as a pub, it doesn’t feel very pubby now, which I guess is what’s intended. The mix of plastic and glass topped tables enhance the cafe/bar/restaurant ambience. But they do a couple of real ales, and although my pint of Deuchars IPA wasn’t in tip top condition, it was OK. This is certainly not a destination pub (there are better pubs a short walk away), but it’s OK for a swift one if passing – or if you fancy some Brazilian food.

Randomness Guide to London - Wheatsheaf entry

Randomness Guide to London - Wheatsheaf entry

Traditional village pub offering real ales and real home cooked food.Liz Nicholls offers her customers a great choice of ales along with a menu that is second to none. Always using local produce the menu changes with the seasons. If desserts are your achilles heel, then look no further as the home made bread and butter pudding or fruit pies are sure to hit the spot. Delightful pub, coupled with a friendly atmosphere and great food makes this well worth a vist.

Has been done up inside since this photo was taken. Visited again, Sunday lunchtime, only one other customer in. Sells food all day. Update: It is now open again, same signage and colour outside, just had a bit of a refurb inside. Has a back garden. Had Courage Best and another, though I forgot what it was.