7-9 Ramsden Road,
Balham,
London,
SW12 8QX
0871 971 4699
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Balham Bowls Club
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This used to be a great bar and very friendly, now a victim of its own success. Last time I was here the glass collector knocked a drink over which they refused to replace.
Absolutely love this place! It makes those "try hard" shabby chic wannabe bars look disneyesque! when I first went in a few years back they used to play 1920's music and it felt like you'd walked into a bygone age. Might be good if they bought that back once in a while. A local gem!
I've lived in Balahamas for a couple of years now and love the relaxed and vintage feel of the BBC, as a thirty something its the perfect place to catch up with friends with lots of space even at weekends.
The food in the quirky dining room is tres good too!
Toni
I like this place but have only ever been there during the day and it seems like that's the best time to go if the other reviews are anything to go by. It is a shame to see the bar falling apart but that is part of it's charm. Don't know how long that stuff will last though. I shall continue to make my Saturday afternoon pilgrimages until then. Beer is reasonable and I'm usually served by the same guy who is always very friendly.
I'm proud to call this my local.
I've lived in Balham for about two years and it makes me very happy to know I have such a great place on my doorstep.
My best friend has got a small child and trying to find somewhere we can go for a catch up is difficult.
I don't want to drink coffee or juice so being welcomed here for a quick
glass of wine was great.
We also had dinner and I must say it was the most super tasting food i've had in ages.
The staff are great not grumpy.. I'm glad I never met the old manager.
The new lady seems lovely.
I love it I do, I do, I do.
Yes I also had problem with the grumpy manager when asked about hiring the place - but have since inquired with their new staff (and friendly new manager) who were more than helpful!
As a local I have visited the BBC on many occasion so it was a disappointment to be on the receiving end of an arrogant Manager when trying to negotiate the room hire here.
There are many nicer pubs/bars in Balham, many of which you don't have to pay to bring 50 people together for a celebration.
This is not the way to treat good paying customers.
Poor managment.
Fell in love with this place when it opened, and thought it was one of the best - if not my favourite - pub in Balham.
However, never has a place been let down more by management. Some of the staff are very friendly, but overall the place is run terribly.
Bar is under-staffed, regularly over-flowing urinals, and it's heart-breaking to see all that beautiful furniture falling apart.
The snooker tables are a case in point - the balls and cues are left out, so by late Friday and Saturday night, booze-fuelled eejits decide to start taking pot-shots. This place needs new management.
If it got it, it would be a 5-star bar.
There is a difference between a rustic feel and falling apart.
I was charged £8 for 2 small glasses of wine; this place is very, very expensive and offers very little in return.
There are plenty of great pubs and bars in Balham, this is not one of them.
Quite ghastly - arrogant staff who call you 'mate', grossly over-priced drinks. Avoid.
Wow, what a fantastic little find. A totally unique place with wood panelling and pictures of the Queen on the walls. Only one real ale, but it's Timothy Taylor so that's alright!
The tapas menu was really good, proper drinking food with lots of delicious things to nibble on.
It is a shame to post such a negative comment for what could be a nice place. Unfortunately the night was ruined by a male member of staff who had too much beer, was dominant and aggressive as he stood over my wife and I whilst we finished our drinks. Yes, 100 percent of the Balham Bowls Club tables were still full, and he made some derogatory remark to our backs as we left.
It begs the questions why? Work it out for yourself. Having looked at other sites I can see that this aggession has been noted by other customers. He's the manager?!
The Balham Bowls Club is a real blast from the past - it reminds me of the places my dad used to take me in the 50s! That's not a bad thing though as the Balham Bowls Club is a delicious slice of nostalgia but with all the comfort of a modern establishment.
The Balham Bowls Club is great place! There are loads of bars and little extras here that make it a great place to have a meal after your game, It is difficult to get on the lanes unless you book really far in advance, but we have managed to get a walk in quite a few times now. I would definitely recommed the Balham Bowls Club for a great night out.
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