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Disappointment of the week with Real Ale Ray
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Detail Pages
The Grapes, Wandsworth, SW18
SW18
SW18 1DX
Pub Type
Punch TavernsReviews (Current Rating Average: 6½ of 10) see review guidelines
Tris C left this review about The Grapes
Dating from 1831, this is a late Georgian pub, somewhat hemmed in by large buildings; the interior can be seen on their website.
Arriving at just before 10.00pm last Friday, I encountered flashing disco lighting and thumping music; the windows were obscured by sweaty condensation dripping down them. Tentatively sticking my head round the door revealed young customers, possibly students from South Thames College next door. A return last night and what a massive contrast: a few mixed older locals, some venturing out into the highly visible ‘secret’ garden.
As the only cask options were London Pride and London Original, I decided not to stay, making off for the magnificent Spread Eagle and a lovely drop of Naked Ladies.
On 2nd March 2024
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 1983 recommendations about 1949 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Pub SignMan left this review about The Grapes
This is a rather simple Youngs pub located no more than a stone’s throw away from their former brewery site. Like most Youngs pubs around these parts, the place has been opened out from an old multi-room layout, into a simple single L-shaped room, with the old corner entrance now out of action, which is a shame because it boasts some impressive etched glass work on the internal door. The room is bare boarded throughout, with low wood panels on the walls beneath plain painted upper sections dotted with blackboards, mirrors and a TV screen to the right showing a pub menu and another to the left screening Italian football. There are some high tables and stools to the right of the entrance and a row of comfy banquettes to the left, along the front wall. The far left side of the room had several more high tables and stools and another fine etched glass door, whilst to the rear, there is a drinking ledge, with a few books on the shelf and some attractive art prints either side of a large mirror. The bar has a modern dark wood panel counter front that turns ninety degrees to the left and then again to run back behind itself. All of this is topped with an intricate metalwork gantry lined with fairy lights to create an attractive feature, but the bar back is essentially non-existent, having been stripped out when the room was opened up. A door to the rear seems to lead out to a beer garden, but I didn’t explore this in the dark, and there were some decent indie tunes playing sensibly in the background.
Unfortunately, there wasn’t much excitement at the bar, with two handpulls double clipped with Youngs Ordinary and two more left unclipped. My pint of the Ordinary was maybe a touch past its best and a little too warm, although I kind of enjoyed sitting supping it, as the pub’s clientele were endlessly entertaining, offering some top quality people watching/eavesdropping opportunities.
This is quite a nice, attractive pub that hasn’t suffered too badly from the remodelling and interior design of the Youngs pub-wrecking crew. The pub offers a nice traditional drinking environment with decent service and an entertaining customer base, but the lack of any decent beer means this will probably remain a one-off visit, although I wouldn’t wish to deter others from giving the place a chance.
On 23rd January 2022
- rating: 6
[User has posted 3114 recommendations about 3114 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Moby Duck left this review about The Grapes
A small Young's Pub surrounded by seemingly perpetual traffic. Inside is a single U shaped room wrapped around the central bar.Furniture-wise there is some banquet seating along with some normal height tables and chairs, also a couple of loftier perches at one end, the floor is carpeted. It's very much unchanged from my previous visit some seven or eight years ago as is the beer, just Youngs Bitter and Special, I had the Bitter and for what its worth nowadays it was in decent nick reasonably priced at £3.70 a pint. This is a good no frills, proper boozer , and as such is worth a visit.
On 4th March 2018
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1871 recommendations about 1844 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Malden man left this review about The Grapes
A traditional street corner pub serving Young's beers. The original corner entrance has now gone, but once inside you can still make out the original lobby with some good looking etched glass remaining. There is a rectangular island bar with an attractive detailed carved bar back. Mixed seating now, some traditional cast iron three legged Britannia tables with benches and small stools plus a trio of high tables and stools at the end window. The bench seats are very tidy in green fake leather and I'd guess have been reupholstered since the previous review. Very clean and tidy, poished wood and gleaming brass, carpeted. Behind the bench seats there are stained wood backs with mirrored inserts above head height. A couple of screens were off, but I also noted an upright piano at the end of the room, with a piano stool so possibly it sees some use. Covered booths outside to cater for the smokers and a garden beyond. Just Ordinary and Special on, but I liked this immaculate little pub and enjoyed the honest atmosphere provided by a group of regulars in friendly debate with the barman about football.
On 26th April 2010
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1707 recommendations about 1681 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rex Rattus left this review about The Grapes
This is a Young's pub, so expect the usual ales. I had the Young's Bitter, which was good, but not cheap at £3.00 a pint. There was the usual pop music playing, but not too loudly. It was very quiet on a weekday lunchtime, with only yours truly plus three apparent locals in the pub – nobody talking, all lost in their world of the racing pages – and a couple in the beer garden. There was a large TV in the corner, but switched off. It is nicely carpeted throughout, with normal tables and chairs – but with some of the chair coverings having seen better days. I doubt whether much has changed in here in the last 50 years. Much the better for it, in my opinion. So, it's a real pub then. Even if there's nothing special about this pub – although you could say its ordinariness is quite special – it does have a welcoming feel about it, and I would be delighted to drop in for another pint if I was in the area.
On 18th March 2009
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Philip Carter left this review about The Grapes
Small pub in the middle of a busy road junction. If you can get across the road, you will find it a comfortable place. Seats around the walls. One side has mirrors. Sells real ale.
On 5th January 2008
- rating: 6
[User has posted 757 recommendations about 720 pubs]