The Devonshire, Balham, SW12

This is a 19th century pub with a fantastic end of the century gin palace interior, largely intact, garnering a CAMRA * rating, visible on their website. The finery is rather spectacular, especially the lobby (see photo) which probably explains why Young’s hasn’t ravaged it in the way that a grizzly bear mauls a hiker. The rear has been altered somewhat – proof that Young’s just doesn’t know when to stop – furnished with some modern hotel bar-style furniture such as an intimate small lounge-style mini booth for two. Customers were professional local types, one with an annoying barking dog and many eating, all to a banal backing track. There’s Special and London Original of course, the preferred Proper Job option ‘coming soon’ (but not soon enough), a bit lame for a Thursday evening, so it was more Neck Oil at £3.70 a half. This place is worth a sniff for the interior – hence the score – and one to include on a crawl, certainly better than the Bedford and Regent, but for a prolonged stay, the Balham Bowls Club is the one to beat.

Official site of The Devonshire - www.instagram.com

Official site of The Devonshire - www.instagram.com

Official site of The Devonshire - www.devonshirebalham.co.uk

Official site of The Devonshire - www.devonshirebalham.co.uk

Long long Young's pub with front room, bar, seating, bar, back room and bar. Outside seating. Four hand pumps with usual Young's offerings.

Definitly had a makeover since I was last in but they have kept the acid etched and brilliant cut glass panels.Gives it an old fashioned appeal.Dramatic interior if you like this style.Youngs -special and Wimbledon -tower on hand pump.