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Detail Pages
The Griffin Belle, SW8
SW8
SW8 2TH
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6½ of 10) see review guidelines
Tris C left this review about The Griffin Belle
This is a mid-19th century pub, originally the Builders Arms, formerly the Vauxhall Griffin, the current name dating from 2018.
The aspidistra no longer flying, this is now part of the small Belle chain and totally changed since the last review, the interior is a bit of a shocker, the black and white chequered floor being the sanest item of note. Thereafter, there are a multitude of mirrors, modern herringbone bevelled mirrors to the bar back, the entire bar front clad with more bevelled mirrors, looking like a fairground attraction. At least one wall and the entire ceiling are completely covered with gaudy plastic flowers and similar vines, the latter also featuring oversized plastic butterflies. Furniture features marble topped tables with tubular steel chairs and a burgundy fluted banquette. Customers amounted to a lost looking family of three, all eating rather than looking at the seven large and one enormous TVs showing random dross with the sound off, so as not to compete with Kylie playing on my arrival.
Cask amounted to just Pride, so it was a half of Neck Oil at a shocking £3.80, served by a nonchalant manager.
Customers aside, with all the plastic flowers, butterflies, Pride, mirrors and Kylie I’ve never been in such a camp pub (though I’d yet to visit their sister pub, the Duchess Belle) and I’d just come from the RVT.
On 26th August 2023
- rating: 3
[User has posted 1982 recommendations about 1949 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Philip Carter left this review about Griffin Belle
Has had a name change, now called Griffin Belle. Undergoing a refurb at the moment, hopefully not going upmarket and losing its character, very tempting as lots of expensive apartments being built in the area. Won't leave a rating as haven't checked out the new look yet. Update: The refurbishment has finished, had a quick look in as wasn't open at the time, the staff were getting used to the place. Looks completely different. Gone are the posters and pictures around the wall. The bar has a bright tiled front to it. Looks like the garden has gone. Brick wall where there used to be fencing and a gate into the garden. The manager (I think that was who it was) told me they will open until 1am on some days and 2am on others. Hope the posh neighbours love the noise. Still has 3 real ale taps. Will give further update, when I actually buy a drink there. OKay, further update. Bright interior, white ceiling, white tiled wall behind the optics and white & yellow tiles on the front of the bar. has 4 real ale taps, Doombar, Broadside, Wainwright & Mad Goose Purity. The garden has gone, but there are more seats outside. Polished wood floor, nice priced menu. Pool table gone and the best bit, the gents has been done up. I thought I wouldn't like it, but I was wrong. best to visit yourself. Rating gone up. See new review.
On 9th February 2019
- rating: 9
[User has posted 757 recommendations about 720 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Philip Carter left this review about Griffin Belle
The price of Wainwright ale has gone up to £4.95. Used to like this pub, friendly staff. But it has priced me out of their customers. If there was a zero rating, it would be given so gave it 1 and that is being generous. Not going back in there again.
On 9th February 2019
- rating: 1
[User has posted 757 recommendations about 720 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Philip Carter left this review about Vauxhall Griffin
Vauxhall Griffin
The Vauxhall Griffin, what a place
There's not a bare wall in sight
With pictures and posters everywhere
To see them all may take all night
The seating is very comfortable
There's not a plain seat anywhere
So once you have claimed your place
You won't want to leave your chair
There is a garden at the side
For when the sun does shine
And just to make this poem scan
It's on the Victoria line
They have a room called the Ruby Lounge
Which is up on the first floor
It's used as a free cinema
So no tickets at the door
If you're in the Wandsworth Road
Near the Vauxhall end
Drop into the Griffin pub
You can even bring a friend.
On 18th April 2013
- rating: 8
[User has posted 757 recommendations about 720 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rex Rattus left this review about Vauxhall Griffin
Yes, this one is now definitely worth a visit. When I was in on Tuesday afternoon they had on Doom Bar, Thwaite’s Wainwright and Windsor & Eton Guardsman (£3.60 a pint). Clearly they have a changing real ale policy, as evidenced by the mass of pump clips displayed behind the bar, and the fact that two of the ales had changed since jaqptio’s visit the other day. The Doom Bar seems to be the constant factor. There were clipboard menus on the tables, including some pub grub standards – the fish and chips was £8.45.
Furnishings are now a mixed bag – banquettes, tall tables/stools, sofas, small stools, normal tables and chairs. An aspidistra on a table near the window, a standard lamp, as well as the velvet curtain framing the doorway to the room at the back all lend it something of the drawing room look. The decor is as described previously – in fact it is what I would call “busy”.
I liked this pub. It has the “pubby” atmosphere that I like, and I would be happy to visit again.
On 18th October 2012
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about Vauxhall Griffin
Reinvented as an upmarket community pub, looking much the same from the street but thoroughly refurbished inside. 'L'-shaped bar, partly screened with a curtain. Main front room full of mixed furniture - such as sofas, high chairs and normal tables - and eclectic decor. Smaller side room has a pool table and a mass of posters and cuttingson the wall. Claims to have 100,000 songs on the jukebox. Live music advertised. Ruby Lounge function room upstairs (not visited). Three of the four handpumps were working, offering Doom Bar, Leeds Yorkshire Gold and Adnams Topaz Gold. Overall, now worth a visit if in the area.
On 14th October 2012
- rating: 7
[User has posted 8086 recommendations about 8086 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Philip Carter left this review about Vauxhall Griffin
Going to change it's name again to Vauxhall Griffin. No real ale. Has 3 tables outside which catch the sun. Sells cocktails and food. Has live bands and dj's on certain days. Not sure what the regulars are like as I was the only one in there on Sunday lunchtime. Tried to visit on a Saturday lunch time, it was closed.
On 23rd December 2007
- rating: 6
[User has posted 757 recommendations about 720 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Carl Winberg left this review about Builders Arms
Renamed Wyvil's ca 2000.
On 2nd February 2004
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 1 recommendations about 1 pubs]