The Leather Bottle, Merton Park, SW19

Supposedly dating from the early 18th century, the current structure was rebuilt in 1897 as a big roadhouse number; it reopened on Friday 7th June after yet another refurb. My visit was undertaken the following Friday, arriving just before 9.30pm and the interior is certainly contemporary, with a part polished wood floor, then somewhat psychedelic tiling. There’s a raised area, Arts & Crafts-style floral wallpaper or Farrow & Ball (all visible on their website), the bar array featuring shiny blue tiles to the rear and tubular steel racking; obviously there were games machines and silent TV sport to a fairly loud soundtrack. Customers were a mixed age local bunch, many quite boisterous. Cask held no surprises, with Abbot and GK IPA which was off, my emergency beverage of choice – Neck Oil – ‘That’s off’, so it was a half of Tadcaster’s finest: Madri, £3.35 a half, served up after an age, the product of utterly shambolic service. This sort of utterly formulaic style really isn’t my thing and with the limited drinks choice – on a Saturday evening – and poor service, doesn’t really paint the place in a flattering light; there are only two pubs in this part of SW19 worthy of anyone’s shoe leather.

Official site of The Leather Bottle - www.greeneking-pubs.co.uk

Official site of The Leather Bottle - www.greeneking-pubs.co.uk