Lost Society, SW11

Official site of Lost & Co - www.lostbattersea.co.uk

Official site of Lost & Co - www.lostbattersea.co.uk

Part of the Lost Group chain of pubs and bars, this place seems to have more of a cocktail emphasis compared to their craft beer led outlets such as Powder Keg Diplomacy. The pub, originally the Prince of Wales, occupies a traditional street corner site, with the front door leading into a large bare boarded room with a centrally positioned U shaped servery. There is a good amount of banquette and sofa seating around the perimeter, supplemented by some scuffed old chairs and a few pouffes. Perhaps the nicest looking area to grab a seat is in the front right corner, where comfy seating can be found on a raised section of flooring underneath a huge portrait of the Queen. The left hand side of the room boasts a telephone box, painted white and filled with a large ivy plant and a bikini clad mannequin. High tables and stools beyond had been occupied by a group that were enjoying a cocktail making class. The right hand side has some vast mirrors on the walls, a few drink related quotes written on a tiled section of wall and a large mural depicting angels 'lost' around London. The light shades have been constructed using trumpets and there are a couple of seemingly original support pillars dotted around with restrained patterned tops. A DJ booth on one wall had a sign next to it making it very clear that customers are not to make requests, which seemed a bit joyless - a reggae soundtrack played throughout most of my stay. Bar snack and platter menus were displayed on the bar and at tables, but there is a proper grill restaurant in a room to the rear right, which I didn't venture into. Just the two hand pumps on the bar, one of which was unused, leaving Belleville Northcote Blonde (£4.50) as the highly expensive only option. There are two or three Meantime beers on the keg fonts and a few interesting bottles in the fridges, but cocktails and gin seem to be the pub's area of expertise. The barman, taking my pint glass from the drier, proceeded to fill it with ice to cool it down before pouring my drink, which I thought was good of him, although he needn't have bothered as the Blonde was past its best. This is a quirky kind of place that I thought had the potential to be a winner, but for me lacked the key elements I look for in a good pub. The poor and highly expensive beer was the final straw and whilst this place might suit fans of cocktails or those wanting food, it didn't really work for me and I doubt I'll return.