Randomness Guide to London Menu

Young's pub directly opposite Wandsworth Town Station, in the Good Beer Guide. Formerly known as the "Alma Tavern" (which is still clearly visible on the building).

Outside, the pub retains its original brickwork and tiling, while inside it's similarly lovely. The decor is reassuringly wooden, the tables solid and large, there are some preserved features dotted around but not so many as to overwhelm the place. Most obvious is the four-sided bar which is in the centre of the room. Despite the many people sitting along the bar, there's no worry about not being seen by the bar staff.

On a Wednesday evening visit in April 2008, all the tables around the room were full, but it was possible to hover at the end of a long table, or stand at the bar. There is a separate restaurant dining room at the back with a beer garden beyond, and a prominent staircase, presumably to a function room upstairs. There is a good range of newspapers available for reading, as well. It's clearly a popular place, with good reason.

On a Thursday evening visit in August 2009, the pub was only half-full, with a few groups of smokers hovering outside and in the beer garden.

The real ales on tap in August 2009 were Young's ordinary, Special, and Kew Gold, and Bombadier. The beer is well-kept. They also had Leffe, Hoegaarden, Peroni and the other usual lagers. There was also one hand-pumped cider on tap.

They serve bar food all day Monday to Saturday, including a range of sandwiches with chips (served noon until 6pm, £5.50-7) and pub "favourites" such as steak, a burger, fish&chips etc (£9-18). The restaurant has a wider selection including starters and desserts, with prices for mains in the same range. Bar snacks include two flavours of Coan biltong.

There's free wifi - connect to the obviously named access point, and "login" with your email address and mobile phone number (no checks for validity).

See also:

• Beer In The Evening comments
• Fancyapint review
• Time Out review
• Young's website
• Qype comments