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History of the Reat Ale Twa*ts. with Komakino
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Image posted by Malden man
Submitted on Friday, 22nd November 2024
With picture contributions to 1772 other pubs
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Detail Pages
The Wheatsheaf, Tooting Bec, SW17
SW17
SW17 7PG
Served areas
Reviews of The Wheatsheaf (Average Rating: 5½ of 10) see review guidelines
Steve of N21 left this review about The Wheatsheaf
A fantastic looking late Victorian pile which was remodelled in 1892 ( if I made the final digit of the date plaque on the exterior wall correctly) and dominates the Tooting Bec road junction, opposite the two Art Deco Charles Holden designed Tube entrances.
Rather than bemoan what may not have survived internally I would rather celebrate what is still here, and that is primarily the pub itself. A mate who lives locally informed that it came perilously close to being lost forever in 2013 when it was shut for a period and in real danger of being bought by a property developer with plans to knock it down and build flats. That was before Wandsworth council stepped in and not only granted an ACV, but also changed the lease so that any future owners had to run it as a pub. Why can’t all London Councils be so respectful to their historic pub stock?
It’s been owned by Urban Pubs and Bars since 2015 and my mate ( who has much more knowledge than me) reckons that they are making a decent fist of it.
My mid week lunchtime visit just after opening obviously found it quite empty and the large internal spaces really does need quite a few in to give it a bit of atmosphere, but did give me the chance to take a good look at Urban’s modern make over and especially the fine collection of historical black and white photos of Tooting. Yes the main bar is as described below with its overly dark farrow and ball colour palette and the large dining room beyond has plenty of exposed brick and one of those open kitchens that I really don’t like, but the younger target demographic, who are being priced out of Clapham and following the gentrification wave south through Balham, do, and my local knowledge assured me the dining room is well utilised, especially on a Sunday.
The younger demographic focus is also evident on the bar, where shiny keg taps dominate with a fairly decent craft offering and only two of the ale pumps were functioning with one from Sanbrooks and one from Gun Brewery but my pint of Sanbrooks Junction was in good nick.
Weekly quiz and music nights feature, and there is a large room upstairs that can be hired for functions and parties and is also utilised by local clubs. My mate was very chuffed that he has a weekly yoga class in this room.
On 3rd December 2025
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2315 recommendations about 2166 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
David Walton left this review about The Wheatsheaf
Visited 27/08/24.
Large pub opposite Tooting Bec tube station exit. Traditional venue that has a good split between old and new. Servery on right hand side and wooden fronted with dark wood bar counter and mirrored back to bar that adds to a nice bright interior despite the dark wood flooring and furniture and dark ceiling painting. Large windows looking out onto a busy corner. Leather banquettes around perimeter with a variety of table sizes and configurations dotted around the bar area. There is a dining room out the back leading to a garden at the back. There is also a private dining area upstairs, and which also seems to be used for events. There is a lot advertised as going on over a typical week here - comedy, quiz, live music, live sport etc.
Some decent cask options, namely Hopadelic from By the Horns Brewing Co and an unusual one I tried called Lavender Hill from Sambrook's. No prizes for guessing in this type of pub there would be loads of keg options, lagers (Amstel, Camden Hells, Moretti, Madri, Jubel Peach), Orchard Thieves cider and Guinness plus a decent range of crafty stuff (OK not all that follows), namely Neck Oil, Two Tribes Campfire Hazy IPA, Siren Lumina Session Pale Ale, Stone Wood Pacific Ale, Brixton Atlantic APA, Millions of Totally Tropical a pineapple sour from Hackney Brewery.
Thought this was a decent pub. Some of these large venues by outlier tube stations struggle to pull off anything meaningful but this one is well worth a stop-off. OK has lots quite a bit of original fit out, but not the worse job to appeal to all that it is obviously trying to appeal to.
On 31st August 2024
- rating: 6
[User has posted 897 recommendations about 891 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tris C left this review about The Wheatsheaf
The Wheatsheaf Inn as it was, dates back to at least 1807, though was clearly rebuilt, probably towards the end of the 19th century as something of a gin palace.
Today, the pub is in the hands of Urban Pubs and Bars and whatever it may have looked like prior to acquisition, there’s tragically little left of the original finery, as this is now a large stripped out place. There’s some vestigial etched glass to saloon doors, then some fantastic carved woodwork, sadly most of it covered with dark grey paint, the same shade as the Anaglypta ceiling. The bar front had lovely carved scrolling, but was painted pale grey, the bar itself now home to tubular steel shelving to complement the now bare brick walls, sporting framed prints and old photos of the area by way of décor. Furniture was conventional, with multiple TVs showing the football, sound off, so as to not compete with banal background music. The place was absolutely packed though not rammed; I had to keep retracing my steps to get to the bar, navigating the massed hoards of enthusiastic young people, a model of good manners compared to that at the King’s Head.
The ale choice amounted to three unused pumps, then Hop Forward and Sambrook’s Junction at £2.50 a half and nice, served by a friendly barman.
This isn’t a great pub experience though better than the King’s Head; if it’s this full on a Tuesday evening, then what’s it going to be like come Saturday? Either way, I wouldn’t rush back.
On 7th April 2022
- rating: 4
[User has posted 2298 recommendations about 2245 pubs]
View more reviews of The Wheatsheaf (12)
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- Official site of The Wheatsheaf - www.thewheatsheafsw17.com
- Twitter - Wheatsheaf Tooting
- CAMRA WhatPub :: The Wheatsheaf - 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 : No last updated 24 August 2014 by Pub SignMan
- Bar Billiards : No last updated 24 August 2014 by Pub SignMan
- Beer Festivals : No last updated 07 April 2022 by Tris C
- Beer Garden : Yes last updated 24 August 2014 by Pub SignMan
- Car Park : No last updated 24 August 2014 by Pub SignMan
- Child Friendly : Yes last updated 28 October 2017 by hondo .
- Darts : No last updated 24 August 2014 by Pub SignMan
- Dog Friendly : Yes last updated 28 October 2017 by hondo .
- Function Room : Yes last updated 07 April 2022 by Tris C
- Hot Food : Yes last updated 28 October 2017 by hondo .
- Jukebox : No last updated 24 August 2014 by Pub SignMan
- Karaoke : Yes last updated 05 January 2010 by David McNally
- Live Music : Yes last updated 24 August 2014 by Pub SignMan
- Live TV Sports : Yes last updated 07 April 2022 by Tris C
- Micropub : No last updated 07 April 2022 by Tris C
- Pinball : No last updated 16 November 2013 by Rex Rattus
- Pool Table : No last updated 24 August 2014 by Pub SignMan
- Quiz Night : Yes last updated 07 April 2022 by Tris C
- Real Ale : Yes last updated 28 October 2017 by hondo .
- Real Cider : No last updated 07 April 2022 by Tris C
- WiFi : Yes last updated 28 October 2017 by hondo .
