The Hill, SW16

Official site of The Hill - thehillsw16.com

Official site of The Hill - thehillsw16.com

Visited 04/12/24 No cask. Simple keg offering of Moretti, Amstel, Guinness, Neck Oil and Brixton Reliance Pale Ale. Bare boarded venue with bar counter along the right-hand wall and several stools to sit at the front part of the bar counter. Pleasant lighting and a nice vibe about the place. Largely a place for diners though with most of the variety of tables set that way. The left-hand side of the venue saw the tables served by long leather banquettes. There were some tall tables with tall, backed stools in the middle of the venue configured for drinkers. The rear of the venue looked similar in being reserved for diners but had a curtain across the entrance suggesting not open this evening or it was reserved for a private party.

This pub has suffered a number of incarnations over the years, and has now ended up looking like a cocktail bar of sorts. I guess that any place that brands itself as a youth club for adults isn't likely to be your standard boozer. I visited here for nostalgic reasons as I remember this pub being built as the Genevieve about 60 or so years ago; it was named thus after the film about the London to Brighton rally that passed down this street. It was also one of our regular drinking holes when I used to bowl at the Top Rank bowl down the road. But it's nothing like a pub now - it's all coloured lights and modern furnishings. There are plants hanging from the ceiling (which is not necessarily a bad thing), and a sign by the window advertised the sort of activities that take place here - life drawing(!) costs £8.50; drag queen brunch; silent cinema; debate club; DJs and dancing; live sax; and bottomless bubbles which I guess must be some sort of drink all you can promotion. There's also a fish tank. About the best thing about this place is the fact that the whole front can be opened up, which is a massive plus on a hot May day. It goes without saying that there's no real ale. I went for a half of 6.2% Lagunitas IPA which set me back £3.50. I suggest that this place is best avoided by the discerning drinker and pub enthusiast.