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Lancaster crawl 17th July 2026 with sheffield hatter
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Detail Pages
Leather Bottle, SW17
SW17
SW17 0NY
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 5½ of 10) see review guidelines
David Walton left this review about Leather Bottle
Visited 23/09/24
Cask option was four pumps all dispensing and the split was 75% Original, 25% Special. Keg options were Guinness, Asahi, Jubel Peach, Camden Hells, Neck Oil, Brooklyn Stonewall IPA, Estrella, Aspall cider, FreeDamm, Pravha, Deya Steady Rolling Man.
Many years since I was last here and then a stop off venue ahead of going dog racing at Wimbledon. Many a greyhound Derby round and eventually final started or near started here in the early 2000's. One of the most memorable was in 2001 to see Rapid Ranger land a big ante post treble for me with Galileo in the Deby and Imagine in the Oaks that weekend. The place feels very different now, quite a gentrified venue. Vaguely remember the outside area out the front, now better equipped to provide shelter against inclement weather. Inside the venue snakes’ round from a seating area to the right of the entrance with comfy seating and classy leather chairs etc. The venue is bare boarded throughout and the bar counter is off to the left-hand side with some stool seating on the wall opposite the bar. There is a snug type of area up a flight of steps at the left-hand end of the bar counter but the main action on my visit was in the room at the end of the bar where a quiz was ongoing. Here every table was occupied and there seemed to be some outside options around this area, but it was hard to discern on my late evening visit. The lighting here was pleasant, and it was nice to see a venue busy on my visit on a Monday evening, but for all its success and modification it was hard to feel a bit sad for the changes to a more basic venue of 20+ years ago!
On 22nd May 2026
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1770 recommendations about 1743 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tris C left this review about Leather Bottle
This grade II-listed freestanding pub dates from 1721 and was probably a coaching inn, serving Garrett Lane’s 2.6-mile meandering length. There’s a beer garden which the pub claims is ‘The best beer garden in SW London’ and customer parking, about which no boasts are made.
Through the modern doors with their automatic closers and this place has probably changed a fair bit since Rex’s visit almost 10 years ago, not least due to a renovation of March this year and yes, you’ve guessed it, it’s one of Young’s throw the baby out with the bathwater affairs as this now has an interior best described as resembling a baronial hotel bar, with masses of natural new dark wood field panelling, modern boarded floor, ‘antique’ oil paintings with brass picture lights and mixed furniture, some lounge-style, lit with glass ‘n’ brass hanging lights. There’s a modern bar back which displays a large selection of scotch, gins and bottles of champagne; the only items of heritage I managed to spot were some interesting residual exposed rough-hewn dark members, with unusual textured infill. Customers were youthful and boisterous with a clutch of older customers, filling the modern rear dining area and, late Friday, making for quite a rumpus when combined with the rather loud soul soundtrack.
A poor cask selection – and especially for a Friday – amounted to just London Original and Special, Neck Oil at £3.70 a half, served by a monosyllabic barman.
I remember a local friend speaking highly of this place over 10 years ago, but I doubt she’d be so enamoured now; a short bus ride north takes you to Young’s beautiful Spread Eagle, proof that the brewer doesn’t have to remodel every pub in its portfolio.
On 12th May 2024
- rating: 4
[User has posted 2337 recommendations about 2279 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rex Rattus left this review about The Leather Bottle
When you see a Young’s branded as “pub and dining”, you pretty well know what to expect. When I entered, the large room on the right was reserved for Amanda’s party, and a jolly time they all seemed to be having. The room around to the back and left of the servery had tables all laid for diners and was stoutly defended by a “wait to be seated” sign. That left the main bar area that had sofas (with an old leather bound chest pressed into service as a table) and some tall stools at a ledge. All very Young’s. On the bar counter was slice of tree trunk with pies and/or Scotch eggs on it (unpriced as far as I could see). Everybody was paying for their drinks with plastic cards of some kind, except for one bloke brandishing a £50 note, and me of course who sorted through his shrapnel for the correct money. The barmaid probably though I was some sort of quaint throwback, as I don’t suppose she gets given coins very often. I reckon the first cashless pub is nearly upon us.
There were Young’s ales available of course (Bitter at £1.80 a half), plus Redemption Pale Ale. This pub is fine if you like madeover Young’s pubs, or appreciate the “pub & dining” experience.
On 18th June 2013
- rating: 5
[User has posted 2621 recommendations about 2536 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Chris 87 left this review about The Leather Bottle
Biggish multi-roomed Youngs Pub on Garratt Lane; On a weekend visit was extremely busy due to the massive garden out the back. Beers included London Gold, Special, Bitter, Bath Gem and Sambrook's Wandle (£3.30). There is a lounge that on my visit was reserved for a private function, a mezzanine space and an area reserved specifically for diners. Bears all the hallmarks of a typical Youngs Pub although that big garden also lends it a country feel.
On 15th April 2011
- rating: 6
[User has posted 179 recommendations about 179 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
john mcgraw left this review about The Leather Bottle
A comfortable Young's pub selling their full range of real ales. a single bar at the front with an upper level for dining. although the emphasis is on food the beers were in fine form. NOTE: it is closed from Feb 7th and will re-open on Friday 6th March this is for a re-furb.
On 10th February 2009
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2044 recommendations about 2025 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Malden man left this review about The Leather Bottle
Newish modern interior, seems to be aiming for the affluent 20-30 somethings. Absolutely chock full of the afternoon mums club, 3 wheeler buggies abound, plus the noise of bored kids. Youngs bitter, Special and Charles Wells Bombardier.
Clearly visited by an interior design team who really do not understand what a traditional pub should be like. I visited here some years ago and I'd say it has been ruined. A shame.
Sorry folks but I didn't like it here.
On 26th October 2007
- rating: 4
[User has posted 1711 recommendations about 1684 pubs]