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The Alexandra, Clapham Common, SW4
SW4
SW4 7AA
Pub Type
Metropolitan Pub Co (Greene King)Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6½ of 10) see review guidelines
Tris C left this review about The Alexandra
Dating from 1863 and executed with striking Italianate panache mated to a French Empire-style roof, this was originally the Alexandra Hotel, to the designs of Edward L’Anson (former president of the RIBA) before conversion to a pub around 1876.
Aside from some vestigial etched glass, the interior has an intriguing woody theme, which certainly isn’t original, but probably dates back quite a few decades, with a wooden floor, then beams and some drinking areas delineated by balustrades; furniture is traditional yet mixed. Then there’s some bluish pastel hues along with a fair bit of bare brick, illumination from discrete downlighters; there’s fun to be had from the multitude of hanging knickknacks such as an antiquated wheelbarrow and cartwheels; also in abundance is a cornucopia of old enamelled tin company signs for the likes of Colman’s mustard; Rex’s ‘…Steptoe’s yard…’ sums it up well. Customers were young trendy types, with women imbibing from oversized chalices.
The cask choice warranted little inspection, with two unused clips then OSH, a half of Oil arriving in exchange for three-and-a-half of my finest English pounds.
This is quite a fun pub which greatly exceeded expectations, better than the Belle Vue and miles better than the miserable O’Neill’s across the road; a quality cask choice would get the score up, though apparently the place becomes more of a banging sports’ bar come the weekend.
On 22nd March 2024
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1985 recommendations about 1951 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
custodian 42 left this review about The Alexandra
Large pub with front room, bar to middle and rear, Back room with TVs. Four real ales including one at 4.9% ABV. Plastic glasses on the Bank Holiday Monday.
On 29th August 2017
- rating: 5
[User has posted 1693 recommendations about 1691 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve C left this review about The Alexandra
The Alexandra was busy with people watching rugby via Sky Sports on the many plasma screens and two projectors during a recent Saturday afternoon visit. The interior has the feel of an American frontier trading post, which I was very surprised to find in Clapham. In the right hand side of the pub is a dartboard and table football can be found by the left hand entrance. The gent’s toilet is located downstairs and there is an advertised courtyard at the rear for smokers. There are also four high tables with stools on the pavement out front. Upstairs is the President’s Room which has its own bar and is available for hire.
Standard and premium keg products are available from the bar that also supports three hand pumps. These were drawing Greene King IPA, Sambrook’s Junction and Portobello Star. I saw no advertisements for food. It is often the case that pubs of this large size can feel more like drinking in a hall, but the décor and layout of the Alexandra are characterful meaning that I enjoyed my stay and would return.
On 14th May 2016
- rating: 7
[User has posted 5253 recommendations about 5221 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Alexandra
As a building, it probably stands out more when viewed from a distance rather than close up (where only the sight of a few patio tables out front distinguishes it from the neighbouring retail units). The interior comes as something of a surprise, however, because it has thoroughly rusticated furniture and decor mostly comprising old enamel signage. The original multi-room layout has been largely opened out to form multiple seating areas. Two banks of three handpumps, offering Doom Bar, Truman's Runner and Sambrooks Pumphouse Pale Ale (£3.50). Overall, not a bad spot for a pint.
On 16th June 2013
- rating: 7
[User has posted 8117 recommendations about 8117 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Philip Carter left this review about The Alexandra
The Alexandra
The Alexandra stands so proud
At Clapham Common South
The elegant tall stone doorways
Greet drinkers like a mouth
The tall windows on the upper floor
Are like eyes with a steely gaze
Looking out across the common
Through the early morning haze
The inside of this place of ale
Is mostly made of wood
If you venture through the door
You'll agree the decor's good
I won't comment on the staff
Or the drinks they serve inside
This will be a personal choice
So I will let you decide.
On 23rd March 2013
- rating: 7
[User has posted 757 recommendations about 720 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rex Rattus left this review about The Alexandra
There were two ales on when I visited at Wednesday lunchtime – Adnam’s Bitter and Sambrook’s Junction (£3.40 a pint). I didn’t see any menus and neither I, nor the other two customers in there, were eating.
This is quite a large pub opposite Clapham Common underground station, occupying the sort of prominent high street position that you expect of a Wetherspoons. I’m not sure what to make of this pub. Inside it has a central island bar with drinking areas on all sides around it. It’s bare boarded and the furnishings are normal tables and chairs, and the bare wooden theme is accentuated by the solid wooden posts and beams that seem to have been introduced wherever possible. But the main feature of this palce that hits you between the eyes is the enormous amount of bric a brac that fills every bit of space on the walls and various ledges. The walls are exposed brickwork, and are covered with original 1940s a 50s metal advertising posters, and there’s a plethora of other miscellaneous bits and bits pieces such as horse harnesses, pitchforks, old sewing machines, oil lamps, stoneware jugs, a 70s space invaders type game machine, etc, etc. Even the sign to the gents was an ancient metal one, presumably rescued from a public convenience that is no more. There’s a bit of covered seating out at the front on the pavment, presumably for the benefit of smokers, but it seemed to be used by people waiting for buses during my visit.
Personally I really don’t mind drinking in pubs that have the look of Steptoe’s yard, but I could have done without the overly loud music. It’s really quite a reasonable pub, and the Junction was just fine, but I doubt whether I’ll be going out of my way to visit again.
On 14th October 2011
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Alan Winfield left this review about The Alexandra
This is a large pub on a busy road and opposite clapham common and close to Clapham common tube,there is a lot of wood panneling inside making the pub seem quite old there was only one real on the bar which was Sambrooks Junction this was a bit warm probably because it was early dinnertime i think this is a fairly decent pub.
On 19th June 2010
- rating: 7
[User has posted 6113 recommendations about 6113 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Philip Carter left this review about The Alexandra
Large pub right opposite Clapham Common. Has a lot of old signs inside showing old medicines. Large room upstairs for hire.
On 15th October 2006
- rating: 8
[User has posted 757 recommendations about 720 pubs]