Cock Tavern, Fulham, SW6

The pub dates all the way back to 1713, rebuilt in 1813, again in 1895. The thoroughly modern interior previously mentioned, has been replaced by one which looks much more traditional and clubbier, with Victorian-style lighting, best appreciated on the pub’s website gallery. It’s largely tasteful, with some mixed furniture and décor in the form of framed traditional prints, then backlit ‘pop art’ posters, which are a bit incongruous. There’s also shelving for bric-a-brac and some bored games. Awful background music played, which reminded me of Gregorian chanting, though sadly it wasn’t loud enough to drown out the sound of some selfish t*at making a noisy Facetime call on their phone. Otherwise, customers seemed quite mixed and all undoubtedly local. Ales amounted to Proper Job (off) then Original and Special at £5.70 a pint and fine. This isn’t a bad place, but it’s far from ideal, certainly better than other Fulham outlets in the immediate vicinity.

Official site of Cock Tavern - www.cocktavern.co.uk

Official site of Cock Tavern - www.cocktavern.co.uk

This Grade II listed Victorian pub was originally called The Cock and took most of its trade from market traders from the nearby North End Road market, as well as pulling in plenty of Chelsea fans from nearby Stamford Bridge on match days. The place was then taken over by the Capital Pub Company, who turned it into a brewpub of sorts called The Cock and Hen, producing the same brews as their sister pub, the Florence in Herne Hill. Now owned by Youngs, the pub has been given a smart makeover that has lost whatever character might once have been evident and bears no relation to its market trader's boozer roots. The pub is fairly narrow but extends back a fair way, with the servery along the left hand wall, approximately halfway down. The décor and furnishings are typical of Youngs' pub makeovers from the last five years or so, with lots of smartly upholstered furniture, brash floral pattern wallpapering, pastel shaded colour schemes and the like. The front part of the pub offers a spacious seating area with the majority of options over to the right where some partial screening and pillars help to separate the space from the main bar area. Limited seating runs opposite the servery, with a TV screen here showing Sky Sports News, whilst the bar itself sports a typical, traditional dark wood counter and bar back. Beyond is a slightly raised rear seating area, the highlight of which was a very retro, 1960's bubble chair, suspended by a chain from the ceiling, although no-one was brave enough to try sitting in it on this visit. The rest of the space has a mix of comfy lounge and standard chair seating with a few old pictures dotted around the walls. A board behind the bar listed various upcoming events including an Only Fools and Horses quiz night. I counted four hand pumps on the bar, but disappointingly they all had reversed pump clips, leaving me to drink Youngs London Stout on keg, which was initially served in a plastic glass following a match at Stamford Bridge, although by the second pint, they were back to serving in proper glasses. This is a fairly nice pub that sadly lacks the character and ambiance it doubtless had prior to its corporate makeover. Whilst it was a convenient post-match watering hole and offered some fairly friendly service, I couldn't warm to the place and felt, much like its local football club, that it had sold its soul.

Last time I was here it was a brewpub but now a Young,s pub. Four Young,s beers on handpump.Expensive bottle of London ale was good.Liked it better on my last visit.

This is a thoroughly modern Young’s pub at the Fulham end of North End Rd. The ales available were the usuals of Bombardier and Young’s Bitter, plus what is clearly a seasonal offering of Centenary Ale (at £3.60 a pint), brewed to celebrate Young’s 180 years in the brewing industry. This is sadly ironic in the year in which they announced the end of their interest in brewing. The ale itself was OK, if a little citrus, but with 20p a pint going to “Help the Heroes” I guess it’s a good thing. Food is available during the day, with main courses from £7 (for the burger) upwards, but with daily lunch specials at £5 (for such things as sausage plus bubble and squeak; and scampi salad) being a good bet. There are some largish glass jars on the bar counter containing nuts, olives, and the like, including homemade pork scratching at £2.50 a pop. The interior contains a mix of furnishings, including some ghastly cylindrical tables near the windows at the front, but with pride of place being taken by a couple of leather sofas in the middle of the room occupying a space the size of a large front room. There’s a raised carpeted area at the back with more (fairly) standard tables and chairs, in turn leading to a garden. In addition the pub has some nice wood panelling; a dartboard near the sofas, a low table with magazines on it – and the inclusion of sideboards and chests of draws scattered around the place, as well as gilt-framed mirrors and prints which succeed in giving it the look and feel of a drawing room. A skylight over the rear seating area provides some more welcome natural light. The music being played not too loudly was mainly classic soul, such as from the likes of Marvin Gaye and Sam Cooke. I’m not usually a fan of these modernised places, but for some reason I found this one to be quite relaxing. The friendly barmaid was a plus factor as well. This is not one to seek out, but OK for a pint or two if you are happy with Young’s ales.