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Swan Tavern, West Wimbledon

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user reviews of the Swan Tavern, West Wimbledon

please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.

Only one of the Wimbledon 8 with a cask marque sign. Not sure why - off the five pumps, three were turned around leaving the uninspiring doom bar and speckled hen

Some photos at my walking blog - http://bit.ly/1Tf0AGO
Mappiman - 15 May 2016 13:48
Sports-oriented but that may just have been the Rugby World Cup drawing to a close . On Ridgway on the 200 bus route as it rises out of Wimbledon towards Raynes Park. Can't remember what beer I had here as I was watching out for the time of the next 200 (every 15 minutes), but it was palatable whatever it was.
rainlight - 31 Oct 2015 14:43
Up on Ridgeway - decent enough pub. Friendly service and good range of beer. Sit outside, watch the world go by, have some Nobby's nuts and be thankful.

Mine's a Yakima Red.
terenced - 5 Oct 2015 09:15
They need to lose some of the TV screens and lower the prices. I mean, charging extra for milk in your coffee - what's that all about? Sadly all too typical of SW19.
kid_b - 20 Sep 2012 01:15
Recently went here with a group of friends for drinks and food, but staff, in particular the manageress, were sooo rude, we decided to leave and vowed never to return.
It wasn't our first visit, have always thought the place wasn't that good, and the 'Village' has many better places, so would suggest find a better place who will be gracious enough to appreciate business.
bloodylimey - 20 Aug 2012 11:03
Doom Bar & London Pride both in good condition and served full to the top. Friendly and welcoming staff. Good toilets. Decent food. Cheerful mixed crowd of drinkers and diners. Very nice pub.
southfields - 26 Feb 2011 15:36


Large open modern interior. 2 Real ales on my visit. Pedigree and GK Swift.
The latter was drinkable.

As a visitor I would struggle to return, unless I was alcoholically dependent. If I lived locally, I would struggle to find daveboyjones enthusiasm.

In monopoly board terms - Pass/chance/Go to Jail

R54
Polypinmath - 18 May 2010 12:43
Sports Bar. Can't sit anywhere without being near a TV screen showing Sky Sport. Big pub, large garden. Staff friendly.
MrBabble - 4 Apr 2010 10:40
Other people we know have gone to this pub and really liked it, but the staff managed to put us off in a matter of seconds.

We had a voucher for 2 meals and 2 drinks, a great deal by any standard. We went on the last day of validity but when we went to use it, the women behind the bar simply said "It's not valid" sharply, with no further clarification. When my girlfriend tried to find out why, she was told just as sharply that as "Sunday's a different menu, so it's not valid".

To be fair the voucher said that the offer could be withdrawn at any time, but I'm not sure why they didn't just have it expire the day before rather than have it "valid" on a day that they wouldn't honour. To be honest, we might have stayed if the staff hadn't so damn rude about it. After how we were treated however, we sure as hell weren't going to be handing over any money to them.

It might have been a staff member having a bad day, who knows, but we're sure as hell not going to be back again to find out.
Jander - 1 Nov 2009 19:50
My local again. After several years I have returned to the Swan. I like the new management and the enthusiastic staff. Probably now one of the better pubs in Wimbledon, most which appear to cater for groups of 'incomers' and price their beer and food accordingly.

For those interested in food the menu is now more inventive, and reasonably price.

A couple of minor complaints the music is to loud, and there is a tendency to play the television at excessively high volume when the sport is on.

Other than that still worth a visit.
ericstadd - 13 Mar 2009 21:53
The Swan has been a favourite haunt of mine for several years now, and I feel obliged to share my opinions with you all. A change of management has occured since the 'australians behind bar' suffered such a horrendous prison sentence. Firstly, they were never that bad. On the contrary, they were extremely personable. Secondly, australia is spely with a capital A!
Incongruous to the latest reviewer, I find the interior to be somewhat enchanting; oozing charm and romanticism from a 40's film noir.
The management, a very personable young lady and her friendly family, have proved to be extremely pleasant and accommodating addition to a legacy that harks back to the day of Dick Turpin, I will sadly miss a certain member of staff who has recently left to travel the world. And perhaps this is where The Swan is so valued- its ability to take on young staff, offer them invaluable experience working within a safe and stable environment, and providing excellent service in the meantime.
Reviewers that insult The Swan insult my very own integrity, for as a filmmaker and teacher I can think of no other place (locally) I would rather spend time relaxing, conversing and being inspired.!
daveyboyjones - 8 Jan 2009 01:04
Reasonable pub that seems to be trying to please everyone - a large screen for sports at one end, a restaurant at the other, and an area for sitting and chatting in the middle. On the Saturday night we visited it was half full with plenty of seats, but a reasonable atmosphere. Young bar staff seemed fine. Bombadier was good, but the guest beer was hardly exotic or imaginative - Youngs! - the nearest Youngs pub being less than a mile away! But it's another genuine old pub that's had it's innards ripped out and replaced by dark wood panelling and Victorian lamps to make it look...er...old!
discerningdan - 24 Mar 2008 21:21
I would just like to say that I have been using this pub for many months since moving to the area and I find the atmosphere to be very pleasant. The manager and her assistant are always pleasant and helpful and I have never had cause to complain about the food. It is an excellent local pub and the more people out there that agree with me should take the time to add your own commens and drown out the moaning of a few people. Give this place a chance.... i think you'll be pleasantly surprised.
aperson - 21 Mar 2008 14:38
This is a lovely pub for a quiet drink - it has a fantastic selection of drinks, very nicely furnished interior and a great location slightly away from the louder village.
Unfortunately this is all completely spoilt by the most obnoxious owner i have ever come across, who seems to think that the way to increase the number of paying customers is to be terribly rude and incredibly angry towards them.
The food is also very poor, and i would not recommend this tavern to anyone who want to enjoy their evening.
seo - 21 Jan 2008 13:17
agree about the owner - she is obnoxious and the reason why i will never go back to this pub. food is the worst i have ever seen. and the beer tastes as though the lines are cleaned every three months. australians behind the bar act as though they are suffering a criminal sentence by working there!!
jennlx - 12 Dec 2007 16:31
Nice pub for a drink - good selection of ales which appear to be well kept. Just don't bother with the food - I had a pie there that had a definite feeling of the Fray Bentos, and the totally unimaginative vegetarian pasta (pasta with a big lump of quorn on it) really didn't look good either. We would have complained, but on our visit, we hit one of the few pubs which didn't seem interested if we'd enjoyed our food. We left swiftly.
bods - 20 Aug 2007 09:57
Don't let the large outdoor seating area fool you into thinking you can have a nice afternoon in the sun with your friends here. The surly owner/manager greets you with a grunt and looks as if she would rather chop your head off than serve paying customers. Rude and obnoxious, she ruins what could be a pleasant day here. The service was basic, the food often cold by the time it reaches the table. If you still wish to go here please note that if you are a group larger than 3 you will have to whisper as this place seems to have a bizarre no noise policy which tends to suck the fun right out of your day!
anonymous - 21 May 2007 18:24
now even busier since The King of Denmark next door closed for good.Great pub !
anonymous - 30 Jan 2007 15:59
This place is a good bar, extensive wine list and a good menu. Nice place to go for a relaxing drink the day after! and have some good food. Staff are accommodating and friendly as goes for the punters.

A comfortable pub with plenty of space and without the hectic-ness of alot of other pubs around this way.

Well worth a visit
anonymous - 14 Jan 2007 15:52
The Swan is an overall great pub. The traditional style combined with good food, friendly staff, and fun clientele make this pub an enjoyable place to be on a Saturday night or a Sunday afternoon. It is well worth a visit.
anonymous - 20 Dec 2006 17:14
Friday 15th December sees ROAD DOG JACKSON playing here.
If you want to see a band at the top of their game, before they start touring in 2007, get yourself down there.
One of Lisa's favourite bands and a brilliant night is guaranteed. They'll have you up and singing before you know what's happened.
bassman - 8 Dec 2006 14:58
Great pub,great food,very busy especially on sundays for food.Staff do change fairly regually,but are always friendly and helpful.No Sky TV now,but quizzes on thurs and sun evenings.I recommend it.
boztours - 7 Dec 2006 14:35
This is the pub to go to if you want to be called an ugly c**t at closing time by one of the ladies behind the bar. Apparently our mistake was asking for the cork for our unfinished wine at the end of the evening: which she obviously decided gave her a good enough excuse to stand at the door of her pub shouting abuse at us as we walked quietly away down the road.
anonymous - 18 Sep 2006 21:46
Greattttttttttttt, Lovely food, beers, staff.
malakie - 22 Jul 2006 13:52
decent pub - great for sitting outside in summer. Good menu too. Only downside is staff who have a tendancy to be quite rude, especially as closing time approaches.
anonymous - 18 Jun 2006 17:39
Great pub, good food, friendly staff, nice beer garden and has a weekly quiz night. One of my friends got lamped there a while back, but that can happen in the best of places. Highly reccomended.
pintofstrongbow - 23 May 2006 16:59
Had a enjoyable evening there...pleasant staff, beer and for once no intrusive music.

But what is that building next door?
lawrence17 - 14 May 2006 10:05
A poseurs paradise. Not bad in the summer when you could sit in the garden, but i always preferred the Denmark next door. At least that felt like being in a pub.
pianoman - 18 Apr 2006 19:26
We popped in to this pub a few times whilst staying with some friends in Wimbledon. For us out-of-towners it was a refreshing change from other London pubs we�d experienced - the staff are mainly English for a start! It�s spacious and welcoming, with a large beer garden (although it was freezing and lashing with rain when we went) and barbecue for the summer months. Good selection of real ales. Usual pub music, probably piped in but not intrusive. Big screen for sporting events. No smoking area right by the entrance, what a refreshing change! As it�s out of the town centre it doesn�t get rammed and rowdy, but there�s a nice ambience and buzz of relaxed conversation.

The staff were very friendly and helpful, service was excellent and so was the food. Re another correspondent�s comments on a particular member of staff� I think he served us too! He didn�t say anything about Kate Bush but he did make a funny comment about the James Blunt song which was playing, which went down well with us as we can�t stand him either! He was lovely, actually. Very chatty and helpful, as were all the staff. Couldn�t fault the place, really. We�ll be coming again next time we�re in the vicinity.
Peavey - 4 Apr 2006 18:46
Excellent Pub! Fantastic pub quiz on a Thursday night, good selection of beer and wine, brilliant staff - even if one is a little odd when he's being witty..... (I dare you to ask him his opinion on Kate Bush's album!)
Overall a great place to chill out with friends... and enjoy a pint of "Christmas Cheer" during the festive season, or one of their many light ales in the summer.

Billina - 24 Mar 2006 22:34
Nice pub with outdoor seating and candlelit tables.Excellent food, which is nicely presented, and served by well trained helpful staff. A wonderful place to eat drink and relax.
Lucinda Duxberry - 21 Sep 2005 14:48
Pretty good Youngs Ordinary, friendly staff and the food was good if a bit expensive for what it was. Nice comfy sofas and pretty cavernous so it would have to be rammed with people to feel busy. Infinitely better than the Denmark next door, this place is well worth stopping into (it's near the curry house too which is always a bonus).

MrLash - 4 Jan 2005 10:04
Nice large bar, Sky Sports, Fruit Machines. Nice selection of booze and very nice to sit outside in the summer.
anonymous - 29 Dec 2004 13:29
Why did they get rid of the tele's? Was great place to chill and watch sunday footie while having the sausage and mash but won't be going again!!
What a waste!
mark - 11 Nov 2004 13:51
Awkward Aussie bar staff and poor food. Avoid at all costs!
simon evans - 16 Feb 2004 16:35
Can't say enough about this place-fantastic.Great staff,good choice of ale and excellent food.Just far enough out of the village to avoid being packed.10 out of 10 for me.
Paul - 6 Jan 2004 12:05
Seriously the pub quiz is worth going to it's every Thursday and a great laugh, the quizmaster is a legend... highly recommended
Steve - 28 Sep 2003 16:13
Great pub quiz on a Thursday!!! Great food all the time too!!
Derek McAvoy - [email protected] - 22 May 2002 12:40
The ultimate Sunday pub dilemma. The food can be absolutely fantastic, especially the Sausage and Chips (two jumbo sausages and the best chips in Wimbledon IMO) but the waiting times just get bigger and bigger as the afternoon progresses. Get there early 12:30ish and relax for the whole afternoon. Lovely
Peter Bowles - [email protected]

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