Way out west in Kingston, there are several bars located around this particular part of the river Thames, and Woodys is one of the only independently-owned. Inside, you will find an eclectic mix of vintage memorabilia and modern decor, so don’t be put off by the decidedly drab and misleading exterior.

The Venue
Woodys is just off Kingston’s busy marketplace and sits right next to the comparative calm of the river. Where once there was no reason to be here other than passing through on an afternoon stroll, there is now a wealth of bars and restaurants catering for the large student population of the town as well as the residents of the stylish riverside apartments. A ten-to-fifteen-minute walk from Kingston train and bus station, this area is quite hidden away if you don’t know where you’re going but as far as evenings out in Kingston go, this is the place to be.

There is very little to recommend about Woodys from the outside. The brightly coloured tables which line the large windows afford a perfect spot in good weather but the building itself looks more like a temporary polling station than a cool place to hang out. That said, this makes the discovery of the unusual and rather lovely interior all the more surprising. It is a small yet light and airy space with a white painted wooden floor and a random collection of furniture, both new and old.

Eighteen months ago Woody’s was made-over by a new owner and it is quite different from anything else in the area. Sit on one of the inviting old sofas for a few hours and you will continually spot quirky touches, such as the trombone lamp, a three-sided bath with taps still intact and a pile of eco-friendly blankets for outdoor dining.

The Atmosphere
While Woody’s undoubtedly comes into its own in the summer months with the fabulous views and outside tables, it would be a shame to miss out on the warmth and individuality inside. The haphazard approach to the fixtures and fittings won’t be to everyone’s taste and yet there is an appeal that reaches further than the local student population. The laid back scruffy-chic vibe is one that welcomes families and there is even a corner with toys and a piano. Toddlers and their trendy parents are quite at home here at lunchtimes, whilst, in the evenings, things are slightly more grown up – food is served until 9pm and once a week there is a quiz night (Thursday) to which the cast of productions showing at the nearby Rose Theatre have been known to attend (Dame Judi Dench has been a recent participant).

The staff are young, child-friendly, knowledgeable and unbelievably patient. They all appear to enjoy working here and are happy to fiddle about with the air con if you ask.

The Food
The first thing that greets you when you walk through the door is a delicious looking selection of homemade cakes, tarts and scones on the counter and it is very tempting to start with one of these. However, the daily printed menu offers an interesting assortment of dishes too, and although there is not much to snack on in the way of appetisers or salads (try the soup of the day or the duck and hoisin wrap), if you’re here for a good feed then you won’t be disappointed. The portions are enormous – the hand cut chips that accompany the burgers or fillet steak sandwich (£8-£9) are amongst the biggest you’ll see and are even a meal on their own.

For a slightly less Stateside-sized meal, the corn fed chicken with crushed new potatoes and roasted vegetables (£10.50) is presented beautifully and tastes great. There are crudite boards, which are probably good for sharing with a bottle of wine, but at £17, they are not cheap. Unsurprisingly there is a good children’s menu and an egg-heavy breakfast menu (£4-£7.50), served on Saturday and Sunday only.

If you can’t manage one of the cakes after all that then it is ridiculously exciting to be given a selection of 80s sweetie favourites like Refreshers, Love Hearts and Drumstick lollies with your bill – it’s a nice touch.

The Drink
During the day, Woodys lends itself to being more of a tea and cake kind of place. It’s neither a wine bar nor a pub, but part of its charm is that it can’t be pigeon-holed. Amstel, Peroni, Staropramen, Guinness, Freedom organic lager and Twickenham ales pour from the pumps and cost between £3.50-£4.20 a pint. Corona, Budvar and Becks are the bottled beers of choice with Savanna Dry and Bulmers cider also available. House wine costs £13.95 a bottle.

The Last Word
As an unpretentious home from home, Woodys has a lot going for it. A lot of love has gone into this venue and the personal touch is a quality that extends to the cooking and the service. Be sure to visit with an empty stomach.

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