160 Putney High Street,
East Putney,
London,
SW15 1RS
(020) 8780 2235
The ViewLondon Review
A good time bar opposite Putney Overground station, Citizen Smith serves up great cocktails, specialist ales and damn fine pizza.
The Venue
With a name that instantly evokes memories of the one-arm salute from the cult BBC sitcom character Wolfie Smith, the deluded anarchist leader of the Tooting Popular Front, thankfully there are no cheesy references to the renowned idealist slacker in the bar itself. You will, however, see a cut and paste montage printed on wall, with the unmistakable face of a View to a Kill era Grace Jones, but no ‘Power to the People’ slogans. That's a good thing.
Looking around the room you’ll find a modern bar complete with lights down low lighting, mismatched furniture, leafy potted plants and faithfully maintained tiles and wooden panelling that wouldn’t look out of place in a good old fashioned boozer. Lionel Ritchie fans will also love the red neon lettering on one exposed brick wall which spells out the immortal words, ‘All Night Long’. Not that you’ll hear old Big Jaw’s cheesy soul coming out of the speakers - indie music from the likes of The Zutons and Arcade Fire bounces around the room at a volume that’s loud enough to enjoy but not so amped-up that you can’t hold a conversation. On busy weekend evenings you should also expect to hear anything from house and hip-hop to funk and breaks.
The Atmosphere
Citizen Smith is part of a mini-chain that includes the highly-rated Lost Society (Clapham) and Lost Angel (Battersea), and this third venue continues the sterling work of its siblings by creating a buzzy atmosphere that feels more like Camden than posh Putney.
Couples are well catered for – guys can sup on the specialist ales whilst girls can sip the delicious range of cocktails. Larger groups are equally at home, although reserving a space is absolutely essential at busier times.
The Food
There’s no need to stumble across the road in search of pizza when you can enjoy one from the comfort of your seat at Citizen Smith. A solid list of around 18 or so includes pizza oddities like the Hun-Ger, a mix of spicy paprika and sour cream base (no tomato), with toppings of salty pepperoni, diced bacon, onion and garlic. A 12” costs £10.50, not at all cheap but you’re not going to complain once you’ve had a couple of drinks and have built up a raging appetite. A more familiar pizza is the Prosciutto, a combination of Parma ham, rocket leaves and sun-dried tomatoes. The cured ham, peppery salad leaves and tartness of the sun-dried tomatoes all make a very satisfactory dish.
The Drink
The cocktail menu is well worth investigating. Classics – mojitos, Manhattans, martinis – are crafted well and show a loose (see generous) hand has free-poured the spirits. The Lychee Haze (£6.50) is a sure-fire crowd-pleaser. Served in a tall glass, stacked with crushed ice, the tropical lychee flavour works brilliantly with the elderflower syrup and Wybrowka vodka. The Properly Pimped Mojito (£7) is another winner. Havana 7 year rum, sugar syrup and plenty of fresh mint is muddled and served over ice. Depending on your personal preference you may hanker over some good brown sugar rather than the syrup, but the result is a finely balanced sweet and sour concoction that kicks like a mule.
Beer-enthusiasts will find much to get excited about across the many pumps and myriad of bottled selections. They’re sourced from the UK, as well as across the globe, so expect to see astute selections such as Brooklyn Lager (USA) next to Cooper Pale Ale (Western Australia) and St Peters Honey Porter (UK).
The Last Word
Undoubtedly one of the coolest bars in the area, with its mix of well-prepared cocktails, specialist beers and tasty pizza, Citizen Smith is well worth a visit, whether you live in Putney or not.
Citizen Smith has been reviewed by 8 users