The Bulls Head, Barnes, SW13

Tris C left this review about The Bulls Head

Situated opposite the Thames but separated from it by a two-lane road, pavement and wall, the Bull dates from at least the 17th century, rebuilt in 1845 but I suspect that it’s more recent than that, probably late Victorian, especially given the French Empire-style pitched roof.
With very swanky lavs, the interior is on multiple levels and substantial: there are breakout rooms with names such as Johnnie Dankworth, a homage to the jazzman as this place has been a noted jazz venue since 1959 (the same year Ronnie Scott’s opened) and indeed, has been dubbed the Ronnie Scott’s of West London; the pub also features in Martin Scorsese’s film History of the Blues; there’s the Bolan room, named after Mark Bolan who died in a car crash a couple of hundred yards south-east of here; then there’s the Holst room after composer Gustav Holst who lived a few doors down, famous for his Planets Suite.
Apart from the attractive ceiling (see photo) the interior has had a very corporate makeover, looking like a hotel bar, modern bare boarded, decked out with shades of pastel browns and some ochre painted exposed brick; furniture is traditional, normal height or tall. There were few customers in at the time of my Friday 9.20pm visit, the cool jazz soundtrack violated by noisy sports commentary, watched by just two of the five other customers.
Two cask beers: London Original and Proper Job, £6.45 a half and good.
Unless you’re a jazz disciple, this place is a bit sterile, but I was happy to at least get a decent pint, unlike at the neighbouring Watermans, a bit up its own Uranus.

On 9^th February 2025 - rating: 5
[User has posted 2207 recommendations about 2164 pubs]