It used to be a super place to go. But its has just had a very bad refurb. Such a shame.

I really can't understand the negative comments about the Clarence. Must have been a few off-days for the staff. I've lived in Balham for about 2 years now and gone in there pretty regularly. I've always found the staff very friendly, especially when they are running table service for food.

The range of beers is amazing, and usually quirky, but all taste well kept and the staff know what they are talking about. The food as well, is amazing, and is certainly a lot better than the "average microwaved pub food" that others have suggested!

I must agree with the comments made about the unfriendly staff.

I was there on Saturday night, having a quiet drink at the bar when one of the waiters / bar staff suddenly stormed around the bar hurling obscenities at a customer.

I don't know what sparked it off, but that is immaterial, her reaction was one rung below psychotic.I turned to the nearest barman and casually and conversationally commented that it was a bit over the top.

Needless to say I was dismissed in a way that suggested that customers are not at the top of the list of priorities and did well not to become a target myself as by now the bouncers (not exactly talk show hosts themselves) were involved.

Either way, it made for a really unpleasant end to the evening and from my point of view was wholly instigated by the staff, as the girl who was the target of the attack, as far as I could tell, calmly exited the place some time before the barmaid from hell had finished spitting expletives at the closed door.

The general attitude was that you were lucky to be in their esteemed establishment, (although there is nothing on offer to back this attitude up).

Normally when I see something like this happen I think at the time that although it will make smack all difference, someone should write it up somewhere, but by the time I wake up in the morning I am over it.

But this time I decided that I am tired of bar staff treating all customers like drunken idiots and can say what they want because they are immune to any backlash.

I know they put up with drunk customers, but big surprise, you work in a bar, it comes with the territory, cupcake.

I have worked in bars myself and I know what goes on, but I also know how it should be dealt with. Either deal with it gracefully or take up a position your local library.

I'll be taking my beer money elsewhere and encourage others to do the same.

This is the third time I've posted this review because my experience was so bad, so happy reading:

Perhaps for Balham this pub is good, but to be honest I wasn't all that impressed - far from it, I was very UNimpressed.

The food is OK, but very overpriced for food that is ultimately microwaved like every other pub.

I was "greeted" by a very snotty barmaid, and was shortchanged £1 and after a lot of arguing I just left it at that - clearly they're not being paid very much so she's welcome to it.

Atmosphere wasn't great - everyone seemed a bit stressed behind the bar and didn't seem to pay attention to the queing system at the bar.

And to top it all off there was no loo paper in several of the womens toilets - a particular pet hate of mine. I certainly won't be going back.

I can see why The Clarence won the Pub of the Year Award. It's a proper old style London pub, that does good grub and serves proper beer. Nice friendly landlord and good atmosphere. Would recommend The Clarence to anyone who wants to visit a proper pub.