So let’s head South …
As you may know by now I am actually a South Londoner (not originally though) so I do have many favourites down this way.
It’s also great to have so many great pubs to call my local, that are all stumbling distance from home.
I’m going to start in my current hometown Balham, a lovely smallish town about half an hour (by tube) out side of Central London.
A definite recent desirable place to frequent and reside, with some lovely boutique style shops and cafes and have course some great boozers.
First on my list...
The Balham Bowls Club
My first love of Balham, the place where I’ve had many pleasant evenings, met many pleasant people and been to many exciting events.
The history of the Balham Bowls Club is a fascinating one, first established in the late 1800’s and became a social, Bowls club and meeting place for the residents of Balham.
In the beginning ladies were not aloud inside the main building (tut,tut) unless invited by a member and only on special occasions. The ladies were then built a pavilion house out the back were they could meet for maybe they're weekly WI meeting.
The Balham Bowls Club now is just a pub and restaurant but they have tried to hang onto their community spirit, with a display of local events, groups and misalliances posts on their notice board in the hallway.
They are of course apart of the Antic chain of pubs that reside around most south London boroughs these days, but like most of the Antic pubs it does hang on to its individual charm and character, that was once an actual Bowls Club.
The beer they have on offer is of a good variety, Heineken, Amstel, Grolsch, Blue Moon, Guinness, Meantime PA and an ever-changing selection of Cask ales on their pumps. Beer prices range from £3.95 — £4.80 for draft beers to £3.50-£4 for cask ales.
They also have a decent wine menu, ranging the regions from France – Argentina; they also stock a good selection of spirits.
The food is very good and offers a variety of hearty food, good to see a seasonal menu and you can’t fault the Sunday roast (served every Sunday 12-4pm),
The restaurant is always packed so get in there quick and reserve if you fancy going for dinner. Food costs £4.50-£8 for starters, £11.50-£20.50 (for a ribeye steak), puddings average around £5.
Every time I go the garden out back gets bigger and on a sunny Balham evening it’s a great place to chill and relax with a pint.
If you do like quiet boozers then I wouldn’t recommend heading here on a weekend, they are normally very busy and it gets very loud. Good days for a quiet pint or date would be a Monday, Wednesday, possibly Thursday and a Sunday evening.
If you like to get involved with something a bit different then why not check out their events, Indeedy Musical Bingo has a monthly regular slot and they're monthly craft and vintage fair is back on Sunday, October 5th 2014, 12-5pm.
Most of their events take place in the fantastic ballroom upstairs and they have even added an extra function room (The Barantini Lounge) for smaller parties.
The staff... What a bunch of lovely folk, young energetic and fun. They do make it a fab place to visit and hang out. This is the main reason for my many returns.
Oh... the Balham Bowls Club, you are close to my heart and will always remain that way, so keep up the good work and keep it rocking.
4.5 pints out of 5
LPD xx
The Balham Bowls Club (not Bowling Club), 7-9 Ramsden Road, Balham, SW12 8QX.
02086734700
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