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Detail Pages
The Avalon, SW12
SW12
SW12 9EB
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 5½ of 10) see review guidelines
Tris C left this review about The Avalon
This was once a coaching inn called the George, supposedly the oldest pub in the area which I can well believe, but I suspect the current erection dates from the 1930s.
There’s a large interior, the rear laid for dining, with a lacquered floor, traditional wooden bar back with white tiled infill, nice field panelled bar front also probably original. There’s a white coffered ceiling, walls covered with weird ‘Renaissance’-style wallpaper, possibly depicting allegorical figures, otherwise more white tiles, slightly industrial lighting with a small and unobtrusive TV showing silent football. Furniture comprises old school tables and similar chairs, with dark studded banquettes; customers were older professional locals and a decent soundtrack played, though no Roxy Music.
A cask lineup, thankfully devoid of Young’s fare usually found in these climes, with an unused pump then Otter and Landlord, £2.90 a half, in decent nick and served by a friendly barman.
This isn’t a bad place, perhaps one to include on a crawl rather than somewhere to linger as you wend your way to the Balham Bowls Club.
On 31st March 2024
- rating: 5
[User has posted 1985 recommendations about 1951 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Graham Coombs left this review about The Avalon
A strange pub with some nice old features, like an impressive round-topped bar, but then decorated with renaissance murals round the wall. A large back room is more of a hall and acts as a restaurant, with a door at the back labelled 'Secret Garden' which we didn't explore. A sports TV lurks down one end while out the front is a tabled patio. Ales were Purity Bunny Hop, Otter Ale and Landlord.
On 6th August 2019
- rating: 6
[User has posted 3339 recommendations about 3276 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
custodian 42 left this review about The Avalon
Reverse L-shaped pub with three or four weak real ales. Quite a large place with two TVs showing football.
On 2nd September 2017
- rating: 4
[User has posted 1693 recommendations about 1691 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Avalon
Housed in a fairly plain two-storey building, this is a very substantial pub opened out to leave various seating areas to the side of (and behind) the bar area. Also has an impressive beer garden to the rear plus quite a bit of furniture on the front patio area. Refurbished in gastro-pub style, but didn't really have a particularly upmarket feel. Three handpumps, offering TT Landlord, Sambrooks London Ten and Battersea Brownstone (£3.80). OK, but all a bit hectic and loud for my liking.
On 16th June 2013
- rating: 6
[User has posted 8117 recommendations about 8117 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rex Rattus left this review about The Avalon
This pub used to be called The George, and was once a Courage pub. I didn’t know this place as The George, but I suspect that it’s been given an upmarket makeover that befits its ascendance to the Arthurian name of Avalon. It’s bare-boarded of course; there are the inevitable high tables/stools in a row by the front window; a couple of reclining sofa-like seats on the right of the door; a fair number of normal tables and chairs; and some banquette seating on a raised area in the right hand corner that looks as if it would have been used as a stage at some time. There’s also a large room at the back on the right of the bar that is obviously intended as a restaurant with all tables laid for diners – the full works, including cutlery, wine and water glasses, napkins, and not the sort of room that you could use for just a drink. Apparently the restaurant was used as a concert hall at some time in the past, and had also included pool tables. Nothing like that going on in there now. Notable features in the main bar area were the stag’s head mounted on the wall on the left, and a Greco-Roman style mural along the right hand wall. Its upmarket aspiration was confirmed for me when a young lady came and asked if I wanted her to bring me a menu.
This is a pretty good example of a madeover gastro-pub, but they do have a separate bar area for those who just want to have a drink and the rarely seen (in London anyway) Ottley Bitter, which tasted excellent but at the not untypical price of £3.40 a pint, is a big plus. The other ales on were Doom Bar and Landlord. This is not the sort of place to which I would go out of my way to visit, but fair enough for another pint of a decent ale if I happened to be in the area.
On 18th September 2010
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Philip Carter left this review about The George
Bit pricey, real ale £3.30 a pint. Lots of white tiles. Back area for food, which is served all day. Ouside seating area. Low rating due to high prices, otherwise ok. Update, has changed its name to Avalon. Real ale still £3.30 a pint.
On 22nd November 2009
- rating: 6
[User has posted 757 recommendations about 720 pubs]