South Wimbledon

The Grove Tavern

2 Morden Rd, South Wimbledon, London, SW19 3BH 

Date of Visit : 26th January 2006
Approx. Time of Visit: 11.45 pm

Route Used: District and Northern from Aldgate East
Distance Traveled : 9.38 miles

Guests: None
Clientele: Late night dregs
Pub Number : 125

Characteristics	Rating	Comments
Ambience		After hours pool and chat
Facilities		Pool, jukebox, 1 fruit, table football, SKY projector, dartboard, 2 x TV
Ladies		Tracksuited barfly and a chubby band member

OVERALL

Fine for a late night drink, no pretensions but keep your head down and enjoy your beer!

After a most enjoyable visit to Brick Lane, we all headed off for our various abodes and it seemed as if the evening was over. After a rather unpleasant tube journey with an unfortunate Chinese girl being somewhat the worse for wear after her night out, we eventually made our way back to South Wimbledon. As we left the station, a light beckoned, surely, surely the Grove wasn't still open? Of course it was! An opportunity to round off a great evening with another qualifier. Bonus Ball! The pub itself (just opposite the station exit) is large with high ceilings and a somewhat undecorated feel. The central bar area had a light scattering of locals propped up against it whilst some geezers played pool. An inbuilt Chinese takeaway sat round the corner behind the bar. The pub obviously is based on live music with a stage and numerous posters stuck on the wall. Not exactly welcoming, a sign told us that the car park was for patrons, but to let the bar staff know or we would be clamped! Luckily we didn't have the Jag with us, so we got our drinks from the suspiciously underage-looking eastern European barman and sat in a corner watching proceedings. This is obviously very much locals and there was lots of popping in and out of the pub (check on the kids?). I wouldn't recommend you bring a lady in here, or wear an obvious suit (note Tim's lack of Tie), but they were serving with the shutters down and this was probably our latest MD pint so far, so that's got to be a bonus. Would they be so lenient at Wembley Central... ?

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