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Beer of the Week (w/e 27th April 2025) with Thuck Phat
on the Pub Forum
Image posted by peter ashworth
Submitted on Friday, 3rd January 2020
With picture contributions to 27173 other pubs
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Detail Pages
The Griffin Belle, SW8
SW8
SW8 2TH
Served areas
Reviews of The Griffin Belle (Average Rating: 6 of 10) see review guidelines
Pub SignMan left this review about The Griffin Belle
Sometimes, a pub visit turns up something completely unexpected, and that was most definitely the case with this absolutely mental backstreet pub, which has one of the most outlandish interiors I've even seen. A checker tiled floor gives it a US roadside diner feel, as do the nice padded banquettes around the perimeter and retro chairs through the centre of the room and in the smaller back room, which has been knocked through and now essentially comprises part of the same space. The bar is in the middle of the building and has a mad mirrored counter front with butterfly lampshades hanging from above and a fake flower strewn bar back that doubles as the hotel reception according to a neon sign above. Talking of fake flowers, the whole right-hand wall is obscured by fake roses and the ceiling in both rooms has been covered with a trellis entwined with even more fake plants and butterflies. The rear room has a cool, silvery tiled feature wall and the windows in both rooms have star shaped fairy lights hung in them. If this visual overload wasn't enough, there are also lots of big TV screens showing a range of sports with 90's club tunes banging out over the sound system.
Amazingly they've got a cask ale on the go, with Fullers London Pride double clipped at £6.50 a pint. A couple of Beavertown brews were available on keg alongside the usual global brands. The barmaid could not have been any friendlier and took great care to make sure she pulled me a good pint of Pride. There were only a couple of other punters in on a mid-week evening, so there was a relaxed feel, but I can imagine it's pretty intense in here when it gets busy.
I can't say that this is my kind of pub, but I can only applaud their efforts to create something unique and memorable. The fact that they kept a great pint of Pride was an unexpected bonus, however this is the sort of pub that I'm really glad that I happened upon once, but can't see me making a return visit to.
Date of visit - 12th September 2024
On 26th December 2024
- rating: 5
[User has posted 3350 recommendations about 3350 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tris C left this review about The Griffin Belle
This is a mid-19th century pub, originally the Builders Arms, formerly the Vauxhall Griffin, the current name dating from 2018.
The aspidistra no longer flying, this is now part of the small Belle chain and totally changed since the last review, the interior is a bit of a shocker, the black and white chequered floor being the sanest item of note. Thereafter, there are a multitude of mirrors, modern herringbone bevelled mirrors to the bar back, the entire bar front clad with more bevelled mirrors, looking like a fairground attraction. At least one wall and the entire ceiling are completely covered with gaudy plastic flowers and similar vines, the latter also featuring oversized plastic butterflies. Furniture features marble topped tables with tubular steel chairs and a burgundy fluted banquette. Customers amounted to a lost looking family of three, all eating rather than looking at the seven large and one enormous TVs showing random dross with the sound off, so as not to compete with Kylie playing on my arrival.
Cask amounted to just Pride, so it was a half of Neck Oil at a shocking £3.80, served by a nonchalant manager.
Customers aside, with all the plastic flowers, butterflies, Pride, mirrors and Kylie I’ve never been in such a camp pub (though I’d yet to visit their sister pub, the Duchess Belle) and I’d just come from the RVT.
On 26th August 2023
- rating: 3
[User has posted 2207 recommendations about 2164 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Philip Carter left this review about Griffin Belle
Has had a name change, now called Griffin Belle. Undergoing a refurb at the moment, hopefully not going upmarket and losing its character, very tempting as lots of expensive apartments being built in the area. Won't leave a rating as haven't checked out the new look yet. Update: The refurbishment has finished, had a quick look in as wasn't open at the time, the staff were getting used to the place. Looks completely different. Gone are the posters and pictures around the wall. The bar has a bright tiled front to it. Looks like the garden has gone. Brick wall where there used to be fencing and a gate into the garden. The manager (I think that was who it was) told me they will open until 1am on some days and 2am on others. Hope the posh neighbours love the noise. Still has 3 real ale taps. Will give further update, when I actually buy a drink there. OKay, further update. Bright interior, white ceiling, white tiled wall behind the optics and white & yellow tiles on the front of the bar. has 4 real ale taps, Doombar, Broadside, Wainwright & Mad Goose Purity. The garden has gone, but there are more seats outside. Polished wood floor, nice priced menu. Pool table gone and the best bit, the gents has been done up. I thought I wouldn't like it, but I was wrong. best to visit yourself. Rating gone up. See new review.
On 9th February 2019
- rating: 9
[User has posted 759 recommendations about 721 pubs]
View more reviews of The Griffin Belle (9)
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- Official site of The Griffin Belle - www.bellepubsandrestaurants.co.uk
- Randomness Guide to London - Vauxhall Griffin entry
- CAMRA WhatPub :: The Griffin Belle - whatpub.com
Pub Details
Pub details supplied by members of this site to the best of their knowledge. Please check with pub directly before making a special trip.
- Accommodation : Yes - Backpackers' hostel. - last updated 26 August 2023 by Tris C
- Bar Billiards : No last updated 26 August 2023 by Tris C
- Beer Festivals : No last updated 26 August 2023 by Tris C
- Beer Garden : Yes last updated 26 December 2024 by Pub SignMan
- CAMRA Discount : No last updated 26 August 2023 by Tris C
- Car Park : No last updated 26 August 2023 by Tris C
- Child Friendly : Yes last updated 26 August 2023 by Tris C
- Darts : No last updated 26 August 2023 by Tris C
- Dog Friendly : Yes last updated 26 December 2024 by Pub SignMan
- Function Room : Yes last updated 26 December 2024 by Pub SignMan
- Hot Food : Yes last updated 29 July 2013 by Dave McNally
- Jukebox : No last updated 26 August 2023 by Tris C
- Karaoke : No last updated 26 August 2023 by Tris C
- Live Music : No last updated 26 August 2023 by Tris C
- Live TV Sports : Yes last updated 26 August 2023 by Tris C
- Micropub : No last updated 26 August 2023 by Tris C
- Pinball : No last updated 26 August 2023 by Tris C
- Pool Table : Yes last updated 26 December 2024 by Pub SignMan
- Quiz Night : No last updated 26 August 2023 by Tris C
- Real Ale : Yes - Pride. - last updated 26 August 2023 by Tris C
- Real Cider : No last updated 26 August 2023 by Tris C
- WiFi : Yes last updated 26 August 2023 by Tris C
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