The Rocket (JD Wetherspoon), Putney, SW15

This is indeed a most labarynthine pub, and I don’t think I’ve ever been in one so long before finding the bar counter. Nonetheless, for a ‘spoons it does seem very upmarket, and I even spotted a waiter providing table service by carrying a tray of drinks over to a table. That’s a first for me in a ‘spoons. I think the prices were a tad more expensive than the average ‘spoons, although £5 for two pints is still good going, possibly with a premium loading for the riverside location. Anyway, the pint of Butcombe Bitter that I had was in excellent nick, although a little too cold – but isn’t that always the case in a ‘spoons? I though that this was a comfortable pub, being a bit more traditional in feel than most ‘spoons interiors, and I would be happy to visit again.

This is a modern purpose built Wetherspoons which is part of a large riverside development of flats, offices and bars. We entered through what seemed to be the restaurant section ad it actually took us a minute or two to find the bar, which is tucked away behind a wall at the back. The pub is, unusually for the brand, a bit of a warren with various nooks and crannies. Decor includes the usual potted histories and biographies, many of which have very tenuous links with the Putney area. There are two banks of handpumps on the bar, one carrying the usual 'spoons suspects and another four with the guests. £5 for two pints here, a bit dearer than 'spoons usual prices, and notably not displayed on the pumps. My pint of Grainstore Gold was fine however but the previous comments about quality are noted and were further reinforced later that evening while chatting to someone in The Bricklayers. Certainly not your usual Wetherspoons and seemingly with a totally different target market.