The Pied Bull, Streatham  

It almost brought a tear to our eye to see the peeling paintwork and tattered, grubby Young's flag fluttering feebly outside this once fine old coaching inn. Thirty years and more we've been coming here - until a year or two ago she was easily Streatham's best pub and a well-merited four pinter. And then the manager from hell took over and the rot set in. So we stayed away - well, judging by the contempt shown to customers, we clearly weren't wanted here. Now he's gone - thank the heavens. People can be banned by law from keeping dogs; he should be banned for life from keeping a pub. So the new guys have a job on their hands. And like the salvage crew who turned up the next day to The Titanic, it may be just too late. The wallpaper, generally, is back in place and some of the walls have been freshened up; it seems clean enough but the scratched, worn tables and chairs have long leaped over that line between well worn and barely fit for firewood. We're not sure if the job lot of squashy sofas were the last knocking of the old bunch or the first of the new guys, but they look comfortable enough. The Young's beer remains fine, there's plenty of space and the gastro-style menu looks interesting. Bravely there are simple feedback forms on the counter asking for customer comments and opinions on their visit. The new man talks about a complete refit in perhaps a year and a half, so until then, it's presumably make do and mend. But can she survive until then? We hope so and wish the new team all best - let's see what you are made of.

reviewed:
19/04/2007

pub features:(click on an icon to see an explanation)

Sky TV

outdoor seating

jazz Monday nights, karaoke some Fridays

disabled facilities

dogs welcome

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