Queens Head, Mitcham

With three handpumps on the bar, just the one was clipped, with Young’s Special (at the wallet friendly price of £2.60 a pint). The pricing strategy is a bit strange – the barmaid asked whether it was real ale, and on my confirming that it was she said that it must be £1.30 then (for the half I had ordered). She couldn’t find any half pint glasses, so drew some beer into a Coors Light frosted pint glass. As it was well short of a half pint I requested a top up; a first for me having to ask for a top up for a half pint in a pint glass. There was no sign of any food or menus. The episode above appears symptomatic of a pub on its last legs. There was a sign on the outside wall advertising the freehold for sale. The main door has the look of plain plywood, as is one of the internal doors. There was a large pull down screen on the left on which was being projected some rubbish daytime TV programme (celebrity chefs or some suchlike drivel I think). This was presumably for the barmaid’s benefit as there were only the two of us in there, and it certainly wasn’t for my benefit. But who can blame her, as it must have been at least a bit boring sitting in this place. There is a bit of attractive coving and ceiling decoration at the back where there may have been chandeliers at some time, but sadly now long gone. The overall impression is of a tatty pub with no discernable redeeming features. But maybe they get a friendly crowd in during the evening, which would transform the depressing and dreary pub I encountered during a wet and cold afternoon into a warm and welcoming venue. But I doubt whether I’ll pay a return visit.