The Grove, Battersea  

Coming from the main road, you might not feel any desire to explore this council estate pub. However, once you've found the entrance at the back, we saw nothing inside that unwelcoming. It is actually a pretty sparse place, with large semicircular fake leather (plastic) seating - some torn through heavy use or possibly bored people - and elsewhere some saloon-style chairs and what looked like a not-too-dirty carpet. Also, there was a jukebox playing a good collection of tunes on autopilot, which seemed to have better fate than the four decorative ale pumps which were all out of use. There were a few younger locals by the pool table and some older ones at the bar chatting and glancing at us from time to time. Despite there being only one female in here on this quiet Friday early evening (one of us), the presence of alcopops and a young barman indicated that others may well be coming here later. Nothing particularly harmful or joyful about the place - it's a genuine locals' pub.

reviewed:
3/11/2006

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

Sky TV

pool table

jukebox

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