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Submitted on Monday, 22^nd September 2014
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The Grove, Balham, SW12

39 Oldridge Road
SW12
SW12 8PN

Phone: 02086736531

Correct details

Served areas

Balham

Reviews of The Grove (Average Rating: 4½ of 10) Add Review see review guidelines

Bucking Fastard left this review about The Grove

Down a quiet back street area ,this large street corner Youngs house dominates it's neighbours and stands out. Sadly once inside the full horror of a Youngs refurb is revealed with a false lower ceiling installed removing any feeling of oppulance to the front bar.The furniture is sparse,there is a silly high long table and comfy chairs elsewhere and only two small banquettes to the side offer any relief from modernity .Through an arch is a much larger section with a sky light in a raised rear and a more traditional feel but pitched as a dining area and liable to have family groups consuming from the pub grub menu.
The handpumps were drawing Youngs Original and Special (a malty mess,clear,NBSS 2.5) and two real ciders but no guest ale.Nothing here to warrant a revisit,it could be so much better with some though and removal of modern "improvements".

On 4^th May 2024 - rating: 4
[User has posted 2936 recommendations about 2936 pubs]

Please Note: This review is over a year old.

Tris C left this review about The Grove

Dating from the 1870s, this is a huge grand pub in an increasingly gentrified and attractive Balham backstreet, its size belying its remote location.
The interior is voluminous with a fabulously ornate ceiling and grand lantern over where once there may have been a billiard table or two. However, this is yet another example of one of Young’s awful Groundhog Day, identikit mega-makeovers, with modern floor, smoky blue walls, brown/ochre-coloured punctuations and bare brick, particularly to the bar back with its tubular steel racking; zoned styles and colour schemes rule the roost here. The rugby was on, terrible acoustics amplifying the sound of the shrieking, young professional crowd.
It's increasing clear that sarf of the Thames, Young’s has no interest in stocking the Proper Job option, making do with just London Original and Special, a pint of Oil resulting in me being robbed of £7.30.
This is now a rather tiresome place, with better – e.g. Balham Bowls Club – a shorter walk from the station.

On 31^st March 2024 - rating: 3
[User has posted 2207 recommendations about 2164 pubs]

Please Note: This review is over a year old.

custodian 42 left this review about The Grove

Still looks like a Young's pub. Room to the right, then the bar with four hand pumps, nothing above 4.5% ABV. Walk past the bar and there is a far longer room to the left, which was hosting a private party on my visit.

On 2^nd September 2017 - rating: 4
[User has posted 1693 recommendations about 1691 pubs]

View more reviews of The Grove (7)

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