The Bedford, Balham, SW12

I quite liked this huge 1930s pub - which is a well known comedy venue. It was included in the Time Out book of London Walks, written 30 years ago. Arthur Smith wrote the walk and is/was the regular compere here. Immaculate inside - a large open plan room on entry - with ornate lighting and a very nice fireplace with surround. Bench seating under the windows. Evidence of the stage, with a curtained room off to one side and another room partitioned off. Lots of pop art memorabilia (art work recreating album covers and stills from films). Seemed popular with (rich) pensioner lunchtime diners. All solo - all getting stuck into starters, mains and white wine. This is how I want to spend my Monday lunch time in dotage. The beer was pretty good too - a predictable TT Landlord but I enjoyed what was called Vienese Lager from Wimbledon brewery - which was on cask.

Originally dating from the 1870s as the Bedford Hotel, this grade II-listed pub was rebuilt for Watney’s in 1931 by their inhouse architect, A. W. Blomfield, also responsible for Soho’s French House. The interior is huge and rambling, like exploring a stately home; just when you think you’ve been in every room, another chamber magically appears. The interior is very gloomy, revealing little if anything of the original features, save for the pretty cornice to a black coffered ceiling, leaded lights and herringbone floor. There’s some exposed concrete to the upper walls and ceiling, a couple of sets of antlers and eclectic décor with plenty of music flyers, attesting to the pub’s music and comedy club credentials; think Ed Sheeran and Joe Lycett. Or perhaps don’t. Furniture is diverse and conventional, customers young and trendy; what was new to me were the lavs, with rusty cubicles. Beverages amounted to Sambrook’s Drop Kick, Sussex Best and Landlord, £2.90 a half, served in a plastic cup and too cold but drinkable. This place may have more appeal when the gloom isn’t pierced by cinema-sized screens showing deafening sport to a near hysterical crowd, but otherwise it’s just about average.

Official site of The Bedford - thebedford.com

Official site of The Bedford - thebedford.com

A large lump of a pub but nothing to write home about, just Landlord and Wandle on.

Reverse L-shaped room with the bar in the angle. Three weak real ales. Two TVs. Nothing special at all.

Large but not overly busy on my visit. Disappointing interior considering the external look.Dull range of cask beers with only Butcombe and Trooper on.Probably suits the locals.

Pretty dreadful. I didn't like it when it featured in the London Standard top10 years ago (not surprising, as choices can be laughable), and it was worse when I stopped by last week to find the main (front) bar locked, and the rear bar smelling bad (musty/sweaty?) even with no-one in it. Three of four pumps (or 2/3?) were reverse clipped. I wont be making the 2min walk from Balham stn again.