Jolly Gardeners, Putney, SW15

I’m not sure if there’s an earlier antecedent, but this building dates from the 1930s, situated in what apparently is a St. Albans-esque backstreet. You arrive to be confronted with a row of little heated huts for outside drinking, then enter a room which at least seems to have an original bar counter, though with an ugly scaffold bar back, then one or more 1930s’ fireplaces. The colour scheme revolves around smoky blue, duck egg blue and pea green, then a bare boarded floor, décor in the form of rowing paraphernalia or pitchforks screwed to a wall, lit in part from mixed light fittings, including ugly dangly filament things, all to an Elton John soundtrack on arrival. Customers were young professional types, though far more genteel and better behaved than their brethren at other SW15 hostelries visited and unsurprisingly utterly disinterested in the golf, broadcast in silence to at least one TV. Cask amounted to an unused pump, reversed Landlord clip then Gloompride (no thanks), my unrecorded choice – probably yet more Beaver Oil – at an obscene £3.85 a half, served by a friendly barman. This is quite a nice pub but golf – silent or otherwise – maketh not for an incentive to return, likewise the cask choice and high prices.

A much more homely careworn feel than its near neighbour Coat & Badge, dark wood floors & mixed tables/seating, dodgy 70s-looking curtains to the rear & open brickwork to the left give an odd imbalance to first impression. Pride & Deuchars (yawn)but also unusual Smiles Mistrals.

Quite a plain façade, but the 'U'-shaped bar has been refurbished with more than a hint of gastro-pub style. Quite a relaxed atmosphere when I visited, with some people playing Connect 4 and other board games. Also has some patio seating out front. Two of four handpumps on, offering Doom Bar and Sambrooks Lavender Hill (£4.20).