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The Bricklayers Arms, Putney, SW15
SW15
SW15 1DD
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 8 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
paulof horsham left this review about The Bricklayers Arms
I've not been here for a few years, but I enjoyed my return just as much as I'd expected. 12 hand pumps: 1 for cider, 1 turned and the rest dominated by Oakham and Dark Star. I tried more than one and all were in great nick (I'd have preferred the Inferno to have been a degree or two cooler on a hot afternoon, but it didn't stay long in the glass even so).
This is very much an ale-drinkers haven so, if you're expecting Fosters, Carling and the like, you're going to be disappointed (or pleasantly surprised, perhaps). The taps serve up beers from Freedom and Meantime, including their own lagers.
As mentioned in recent reviews below, The Bricklayers wasn't as busy as I'm sure the management would have wished, but it filled up throughout my stay and all the tables outside became occupied, with reservations noted on some inside as well.
Still one of London's best on the strength of this call, and I can see no reason not to make a return visit in the near future.
On 9th September 2013
- rating: 8
[User has posted 453 recommendations about 425 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
john gray left this review about The Bricklayers Arms
Not as busy as it was a few years ago when it had the Taylors beers on.Still a good friendly pub with 8 northern beers on my visit..One of the best in Putney.
On 3rd April 2013
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1023 recommendations about 1009 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Roger Button left this review about The Bricklayers Arms
Dating from 1826 and originally called the Watermans Arms, the Bricklayers claims to be Putney’s oldest pub. The interior consists of a front main bar section with basic stripped back furnishings and several old pictures of the area. A long narrow extension runs off to the rear that in turn leads to a paved beer patio at the side of the pub. Featurewise there isn’t really a great deal of interest, it’s all quite basic and functional and can be quite cramped when busy as it does inevitably get, especially on Fulham match days. The toilets in partucular are insufficient for the number of people often to be found. There is a Big Screen usually for football and a table skittles board but entertainment isn’t the pub’s priority. That lies with the beers.
Until fairly recently the Bricky was London’s only Timothy Taylor pub however a dispute has meant that the only TT offerings these days are the drink mats. Where there were once 4 or 5 TT ales plus a smattering of guests, there are now 5 or 6 pumps in regular action with a selection of guests albeit there seems to be a specific brewery being showcased everytime I go there (most recently 3 or 4 from Isle of Purbeck). Where the pub really takes off is during the regular themed festivals when all pumps are going 10 to the dozen and 50/60 casks are racked up in the beer garden and attracts people from far and wide. I have always found the service to be prompt and efficient whatever the circumstances and the customer base always civilized and accommodating even when packed with football fans.
The pub is widely regarded as one of the Capital’s top ale destinations and has rightly won many awards.including the 2009 Greater London Pub of the Year and the most recent accolade was finishing 3rd in the National geographic Bets Pubs in England. That may be pushing the boat out a little but visitors to London with any real interest in ales will do a lot worse than pay the Bricky a visit.
On 9th February 2012
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1239 recommendations about 1233 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Alesonly . left this review about The Bricklayers Arms
I Like this Pub and I was back in here last week whilst on a few days leave. What I like is they always have a good selection of Timothy Tailor Ales including the Ram Tam & Dark Mild that I Love and don't hardly see anywhere else in London in. In my opinion its worth the visit just too get these. I always find the staff & other customer very welcoming & friendly and would have no problem recommending this Pub too others its well worth a visit if your in the area.
On 5th August 2010
- rating: 9
[User has posted 132 recommendations about 105 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rex Rattus left this review about The Bricklayers Arms
On my recent midweek lunchtime visit they seemed to be showcasing Timothy Taylor (as always) and Pirbeck Brewery ales. I had the Pirbeck IPA, which was excellent – and pulled through first in order to ensure the quality of the ale being served. There was no food at lunchtime. In the front of the bar there are a couple of large scrubbed tables, with standard seating; there are a couple of armchairs on the right; and it extends back a fair way on the left with an area containing some more tables and chairs. To the left of the bar counter are a couple of rarities as far as London pubs are concerned – a functioning shove ha’penny board complete with smooth halfpennies, and a table skittles. There’s some interesting stuff on the walls, mainly beer and brewery related, including a framed What’s Brewing article featuring the pub, and the London Drinker from Jun/Jul 2006, also featuring the pub on the front cover. It’s certainly been on the front at least once since then.
The ale selection and real pub feel to the Bricklayer’s makes it a must visit pub for anyone who appreciates a decent pub and well kept ale. I’ve visited before and will undoubtedly visit again.
On 29th July 2010
- rating: 8
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Pub SignMan left this review about The Bricklayers Arms
This is a small traditional pub, set down a side street just away from the River Thames. The pub offers a full range of Timothy Taylor beers, with usually a couple of guest ales and one or two ciders on as well. The Ram Tam and Dark Mild in particular are very good here and were served by some friendly and efficient barmaids.
The pub's front room has a very traditional feel to it, with a few seating options around the edges, but it can get a bit cramped when busy. To the rear there is what looks like an extension, which has a very functional layout and offers a lot more seating. A side door leads to a small beer garden. The décor is fairly standard, but the walls had a lot of old posters from previous beer festivals which were nice to look through. These festivals are still put on at various stages throughout the year.
Given it's proximity to Fulham Football Club, it can get very busy on match days and sadly the beer is then sold in plastic glasses, so plan ahead in that respect to avoid disappointment.
All in all, a very good pub and the perfect stop off point for anyone doing a walk along the river.
On 24th June 2010
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3114 recommendations about 3114 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Chris 87 left this review about The Bricklayers Arms
I've tried to visit here before, usually on days when Fulham FC are playing (not a smart move admittedly) so I was pleased to finally get around to it when it was less busy. Given the array of Timothy Taylor beers on you'd be forgiven for thinking this was owned by the brewery, but the selection of guests would suggest otherwise. Ram Tam and Best Bitter (£3.20) were in good condition and that is from someone who has previously been rather underwhelmed by TT output.
The pub itself is a pleasantly utilitarian affair with large wooden tables, a working fireplace and an outdoor smoking area which I took great pleasure in sitting in (in March!). There are various press cuttings and the like hung up on the wall which paint a picture of a proper traditional pub that inspires a loyal following. Definitely one to look out for in the area.
On 28th March 2010
- rating: 9
[User has posted 179 recommendations about 179 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about The Bricklayers Arms
Sought this one out specially after hearing the hype surrounding it from elsewhere and the awards being thrown its way from the local CAMRA branch. This is a freehouse selling Tim Taylor beers alongside the odd guest or two (Sambrooks Wandle on my visit). Situated up a small backstreet behind a local authority housing block, it was apparently a former boat storage building (hence the long narrow interior I suppose?) and was slated for demolition a number of years ago. The interior seemed a little stark to me, with wooden flooring, scrubbed wooden furniture and a combination of wood panelled and bare-brick walls, however the black and white prints of old Putney were interesting. It was a cold and damp day outside so I settled myself by a welcome fire, though I noticed the pub was still quite cold). The place could have done with a bit more light lift the drab grey afternoon atmosphere too. After settling down I found that I wasn’t overly enamoured with either of my two halves. They weren’t bad but weren’t anywhere near as good as those served up in the Red Lion in Isleworth (my other pub visit earlier that day). The also much-praised friendly welcome was absent, just a young female seemingly going through the motions. There were only four other punters.
For such a well-anointed pub I trudged back out into the bleak late afternoon feeling mighty disappointed. I really hope I caught it on a bad day. Overall it isn’t a bad little place but I was expecting so much more.
On 29th November 2009
- rating: 6
[User has posted 5099 recommendations about 5082 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Bricklayers Arms
Traditional-looking from the outside, but more modern than I expected once inside. Pleasant, if small, patio/beer garden/smoking area. TT Ram Tam might usually be considered a 'winter warmer', but it went down well on a hot summer evening. Nice, relaxed atmosphere and thoroughly recommended.
On 5th August 2009
- rating: 9
[User has posted 8117 recommendations about 8117 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
train man left this review about The Bricklayers Arms
Closed yesterday for 'emergency repairs'? Check before travelling.
22 January 2008
Still hit & miss re selection on offer, just Landlord, Golden Best & RamTam today, no guests. Landlord was very good, but £3!
8 November 2007
Yesterday's visit was much more like it for beer choice - 4 TTs, incl RamTam, plus Downton Mad Hare & Brewster's Belle de Jour (although I wasn't keen on the latter). Also listed in the gents (but oddly nowhere else in the pub) was the forthcoming range of guests – incl 4 from RCH brewery, 2 from Butts Organic, as well as Daleside Porter & Museum White Shield. Sounds good to me; rating rectified to a comfortable 8.
1 November 2007
A very good pub but disappointing beer selection on my last two visits, with last week only 3 and yesterday only 2 pumps in action from a possible 10 (Landlord & ‘Pumpkin' ale); hardly a justification of Camra's London 'pub of the year'!
On 13th November 2008
- rating: 7
[User has posted 412 recommendations about 411 pubs]