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Disappointment of the week with Mobyduck
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Detail Pages
The Devonshire, Balham, SW12
SW12
SW12 9AN
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6 of 10) see review guidelines
Tris C left this review about The Devonshire
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.
On 27th March 2024
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1983 recommendations about 1949 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
custodian 42 left this review about The Devonshire
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.
On 28th August 2017
- rating: 4
[User has posted 1693 recommendations about 1691 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
john gray left this review about The Devonshire
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.
On 26th March 2016
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1023 recommendations about 1009 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rex Rattus left this review about The Devonshire
This pub has clearly been the subject of a Young’s makeover, which I believe occurred two or three years ago, but the preponderance of classic Victorian etched and cut glasswork has probably limited the extent of the refurbishment, as not even Young’s would dispose of treasures like these nowadays. The main bar area as you enter is mainly equipped with sofas and armchairs, but with some tall tables and stools, and a smattering of normal tables and chairs. There are also some of the largest lampshades I have ever seen, presumably in keeping with the modern tone being fostered here. The drinking area extends round to the right of the bar, opening up to a largish area at the back that seems to be the main habitat for any diners. The original multi room structure is still evident in the unused doorways and ceiling design, but it’s a very different place to what it once was. There was a TV on the wall (but switched off), and some music being played at a background level of volume.
The usual range of Young’s ales was available, plus Sambrook’s Wandle, like so many Young’s pubs now. This pub is probably a bit too modernistic for my taste, but it is a clean, fairly comfortable, well looked after pub, and no doubt a welcoming watering hole for those who like these sort of Young’s style madeover places.
On 16th September 2010
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]