The Windmill, Lambeth, SE1

Tris C left this review about The Windmill

This pub dates from the late 18th century, though I suspect was rebuilt in the late 19th. It was once a Courage pub and there’s still one of their trademark illuminated red box signs, one of three I’ve seen this month, having not seen one for years.
You’d think that Lambeth High Street would be fairly typical, but there isn’t a single commercial outlet here; indeed, the place is much more of a backstreet location than bustling high street. Traditional and largely untouched in decades, the interior is atmospheric, with a carpeted or lacquered floor, some bare brick then brown paint, red swag curtains, mixed furniture and eclectic knickknacks with a pool table dominating the frontal area, all to a decent Madness soundtrack. There’s food here but not gastro, though including prawns, fish fingers and fish ‘n’ chips, coming as no surprise given that the pub is next door to the International Maritime Organization; customers were a fruity mix, some barely visible in the sparsely lit rear.
The ale front could do with some improvement, with Sharp’s Atlantic, Doom and Pride, salvation coming in the form of Landlord at a steep £5.85 though in great shape, served by a friendly barman.
Far from being run of the mill, this is a very decent pub and a far better bet than the Rose; worth checking out, especially if the depressing Sharp's/Pride options were ditched in favour of something more interesting, which would get the score up.

On 27^th June 2023 - rating: 6
[User has posted 1985 recommendations about 1951 pubs]