The Holden, Colliers Wood, SW19

The Colliers Tup advertises itself as "SW19's Premier Rugby Pub", and who am I to quibble as I am yet to encounter another rugby themed pub anywhere within the postcode. It is a large open plan bare boarded space with a central bar, mixed seating including a few sofas in a semi-separated quieter "zone" behind the bar. The rugby theme is reinforced by lots of pictures, photographs and rugby balls on a shelf, plus a large mural on a wall. Rugby is not the only aspect to the pub however, various themed events were being advertised, such as 007 Bond night, School Disco, open mic night, a quiz, as well as several heavily promoted live rugby matches. The main area has a banner declaring it to be "The Sound Lounge" while the slightly raised area at the back calls itself "The Directors Box". Beyond here is a spacious well appointed garden with numerous tables but unfortunately dominated by a huge pylon which detracts from the ambience rather. Decor apart from rugby pics includes lots of sheep related cartoons and caricatures....the name Tup here referring to the male of the species. The beer selection was fairly reasonable and the pub has Cask Marque accreditation, but it was certainly expensive, particularly for this rather drab part of town. Courage Best, Bombardier, Thwaites Wainwright (£3.65) and Caledonian Chocolate Drop. Lunch menus were on the tables and seemed to be limited to a choice of sandwiches, jacket spuds or salads, all between £4.95 and £5.95. It wasn't very busy on my visit here, my beer was reasonable if not in tip-top condition, but it isn't really my sort of pub and the experience wasn't especially enhanced by overly loud trashy pop music plus the three bar staff horsing around and chasing each other about.