East Putney Tavern, Putney, SW15

A while since the last review here. A bit of an odd one (but not too odd) I that I assumed it would be a very traditional pub but it is in that grey area that is between traditional pub and bar (but not overt cocktail bar). The glass frontage is quite pleasant and adds a bit of a modern industrial look to the venue. Through door on left hand side you are greeted with bar against wall with long side facing the front and much smaller side leading you towards short flight of steps up to a mezzanine area with comfy leather sofas and aimed at drinkers and a slightly longer flight of steps taking you down to what looks to be aimed at a dining area where the kitchen is off to the right hand side thereof. A few books and crannies downstairs but if you walk through the length of that are you get to the “secret garden” out the back. I’m not sure who the secret garden is fooling or hiding the plain fact that this is merely an outside seating (partially covered) at the back of the venue from. Indeed the main feature propagated on the signs on the front of the venue is that there is a secret venue out the back. A few London venues have interesting secret bars (eg the one through the bookcase in Soho or the Breakfast Club have a few quaint secret bar situations in Canary wharf, Southwark or Spitalfields that keep you guessing, but this is not a secret, it is effing stated! The bar area at the front is a mix of high tables and low tables with an attractive look. Quite a few in this area we’re here to play board games - there is a pile behind the bar. Beer wise they have two hand pumps, one offering a perfectly acceptable pint of TT Landlord and the other unclipped. Plenty of keg options Estrella, Neck Oil, Lucky Saint, the lager from Battersea Brewing, Guinness, Inch’s cider, Moretti, Amstel, Erdinger Weissbier, Jubel peach lager and Yuzu Yu pale ale ale (that’s two venues out of two offering that one amongst the traditional pubs on this stretch). This place is a bit better than average and offers a curiosity value as a pub / bar cross. Would visit again when in the area and looking for something a bit different but I need to see again and form a view that this is above average so a 5 for now from me. PS I would tell you there was a secret garden to consume alcohol bought on the premises out the back but I would have to kill you if I did.

This place is not really much like a tavern - a high street bar is more accurate. It's not an original pub, so obviously everything in it is relatively modern. the bar counter faces you as you enter; to ther left of it up a few stairs is a sort of mezzanine area with some seating; immediately in front of the counter are the usual tall tables and tall stools, while along the front of the room by the window are some standard tables and chairs. All very straightforward. I didn't spot any decor worth mentioning. When I went up to the bar there were three handpumps, clipped with Purity Gold, Purity Longhorn IPA, and Truman Zephyr clips - but the Zephyr went off as I was waiting to be served. The bloke in front of me was offered the option of waiting while the barman/manager put a new barrel of Zephyr on (which is a big plus in my book) but apparently didn't fancy waiting. And neither did I, opting for the Purity Gold, at around £4.50 a pint, served in a dimpled mug apparently as the default. This place was busy during the Wednesday evening I visited. Despite the lack of traditional pub character, I didn't mind it at all. The bar staff seemed very competent and professional, and my pint of Purity Gold was in excellent nick. This part of Putney is not exactly overburdened with good pubs, and this one is certainly worth a visit if you're in the area.

Official site of Putney Station - www.eastputneytavern.co.uk

Official site of Putney Station - www.eastputneytavern.co.uk