please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Good pub, but past its prime. Interesting clientele - watch out for the 'artist in residence' - and décor. Just don't go there too often as it can get a bit samey. However, the beer has been managed much better recently (a strong range these days) and there has been some good live music on weekends. Worth a visit, though, for its classic feel.
|
Beer was in good condition on my recent visit. My pint of Itchen Valley bitter tasted fine. Now more food orientated than previously, but still worth visiting if in the area.
There's now a restaurant upstairs
This place is not cheap, but then again where is around these parts ?
|
Love the pub, great atmosphere great decor but last time i went they had run out of guinness and the bitter not in great shape either. Cmon guys get it right.
|
Rugby World Cup Final night... Fantastic mix of people in. There must be a 70's charity shop around the corner, it's flat caps , check jackets and ill fitting trousers. Forget that, it's all part of this fab pub. The beer was good but seems to be more of a lager pub, but good lagers and not the mass produced rubbish.Friendly and efficient staff, so if you can find the place then make sure you give it a visit.
|
Only been in here a couple of times and not eaten yet. Pub is really good with very friendly staff, good decor and standard London prices.
Best Wandsworth pub I have been in so far :)
|
This is what a pub should be like.Mix n match furniture, lots of interesting things on the walls. Good beer, friendly staff, lots of talking points. Give this place a try....you may even like it.....no love it
|
Outstanding pub on many levels. Friendly, intelligent bar staff, great food and a brilliant look feel to the locals and pub itself. Only two problems, rubbish beer (it's badly kept) and they keep running out of beer (and that's not down to me). Overall a fantastic pub - can we just get these two issues resolved please!
anonymous - 14 Jun 2007 16:17 |
Lovely odd place, yes the light are a bit too bright for the ambience there but thats about it.
Oh and how about some other ciders?
|
My favourite pub in London. I have been going here for years and I only hope that the new build flats - sorry, apartments - don't change the clientele too much. Part of the charm of the Cat's Back is the mix of customers, from old geezers in cravats at the bar, folks with dogs, trendies, the whole gambit. The bar staff are wonderful and very friendly. I don't drink bitter but have heard complaints about the quality in the past. However, they know how to pour a decent pint of Guinness and the food's great too. A very fine pub indeed.
|
Was wonderful in 2003/4/5, now sadly fading, possibly because it's too easy to make money with all the new flats piled up outside. I'm not the only one to have had out-of-condition bitter - a mate was so angry at the recent re-furb, brighter lighting (no candles any more?) and louder music, not to mention the solitary handpump serving vinegary Youngs, that he said he'd rather it was demolished than spoilt. I wouldn't go that far, because even half-decent pubs are scarce in this end of London.
|
Still a pub of great character, despite the recent yuppie invasion, but neither the Slaters Supreme nor the Youngs Ordinary - both at £ 2.90 per pint incidentally - were at their best last Saturday afternoon.
Why has the old Shell petrol pump, that used to be outside on the pavement, been moved inside ?
|
Have just moved to an apartment so close if I rolled out of bed i'd be in the Cats Back' I must say it has bunddles of character with the log fire and old leather setee's, even if they are showing there age, you have got to order the chips with the tomato ketchup & mayo followed by a swift couple of sociables
anonymous - 7 Mar 2007 16:27 |
Open fire, lovely people and a quirky sense of humor. it's well worth making your local.
|
It’s always amazing to stumble on somewhere seemingly hidden for decades for the first time. Hidden down a quiet road surrounded by new Wandsworth apartments, a pub with an unusual mixture of faded superstars pictures and family holiday snaps on the walls awaits. Its contents a constant surprise, this made for a strange backdrop for a rare (for London) drop of Slater’s bitter tonight.
|
Very hard to get a pint in good condition. Atmosphere is dark and smoky and regulars cliquey. Vague staff. Could do a lot better.
|
I have got to say this is one of the best pubs i have ever been too!.... If you want to go somewhere thats, very original, unique, quirky, trendy and provides good service this is the place to come!! The music is great, teh atomsphire is fantastic and for all the people that complain about the beer - BUY IT BOTTLED!
Its also goood and the vintage/ indie influenced setting is out of this world!!!!!
|
This may be the best pub in the world, best visited after 10pm, till about 10 minutes ago.
Joe90 - 13 Dec 2006 03:27 |
I played here a couple of times with a band, the beer is great, the staff really friendly, and just a nice quirky little place. Amazing atmosphere, the first gig I played there were so many people they all spilled out on to the street, and everyone was chatting to each other! Be wary about the owner, has a nasty habit of forgetting to pay bands?!
|
Decided to pay a visit to this pub after a couple of years. Looks like it has new owners as a[] the beer was very pricey and b] there is now a gastro resterant up stairs. Also had the normal Fulham crowd. Oh well.
|
Atmosphere, character, different, good staff, very, very cool. Loved it.
|
Have been going here on and off for a few years now. It does have a great interior, and a good atmosphere, which makes it a great place to take people how do not know about it.
However, the quality of the beer here is very questionable, and on at least two occasions I can recall either a friend or me has had to return a pint of ale. That said the bar staff have always been happy to serve a new pint and turn around the clip on the handle.
A final word of warning: Don't even think about going on a Friday or Saturday night, the place gets rammed to the point of madness.
anonymous - 3 Dec 2006 15:02 |
This is one busy place, I don`t think they suffer fools, snobs or bores very well. We were treated superbly to dinner and drinks with great service. The table next to us however were a bit up their own...complaining about everything when it was obviously packed, you know the type. We thought they deserved the bad service they got, maybe the comment below was them. If It had been my place I would have told them to f*** off. Great night for us though well done Cats
anonymous - 18 Nov 2006 02:49 |
I spent an evening in this pub attending a pre-booked dinner in the room on the top floor. The whole evening was a total shambles and I won't be going back here ever again.
When it finally arrived, about an hour and a half after it was ordered, the food was terrible and a complete rip-off. I paid £14 for a tuna steak and mash which was undercooked and tasted like a cheap ready-meal. My friends all had similar issues with their meals and it was disappointment all round.
Staff were unconcerned and generally unhelpful. Just a poor, poor evening.
|
Lovely pub with fantastic atmosphere, had amazing time here.Live music was great, check their web site.
Great food and beer.Heard that recently they won a gold award from an organisation (can`t remember the name)11 out of ten.This is the best pub in London and that`s for sure.
|
This depresses me. I suppose we _should_ be grateful it wasn't just bulldozed, but in truth the Cat's Gone already. What's left is a fake. The fact they carefully took down all the tat, dusted it down, repainted the walls and then put all the tat back where it was _should_ make me feel happy, but I'm sorry - it just doesn't. It's a bit like when they changed the set on 'Cheers': It sort of looks the same but I have the queasy feeling I'm being cheated. But it was always going to happen. Hidden gems can never stay that way. And at least, apart from the horrible new punters from the horrible new flats, the faux-Cat's Back is still a pretty good pub.
|
This has the potential to be a really good pub but I don't think my friends and I will be going back in a hurry due to the poor quality of the beer. Two of the three beers tried were almost undrinkable. Despite Wandsworth Bill's comment, perhaps they should concentrate on keeping one (or maybe two at busy times) beer on in good condition.
|
Still has great music, friendly staff & interesting décor. However no peanuts available since Sunday, only 1 draft ale. Bar food menu now depleted substantially. Pity – went to The Queen Adelaide after the first pint for better beer and excellent food and service.
|
Went here after the Queen Adelaide (which is just across the road) and what a pub... it was about 12am and we couldn't be bothered with the whole "dush dush" club thing so this little gem was a great surprise... very chilled, low lighting (good for bad complexions) and lots of knooks and cranny's to hide in.... I highly recommended it and know doubt in time it will be ruined by the Chelsea set....
|
Great pub which shines even brighter due to close proximity to the overpriced soul-less glitz and supposed LA glamour of all the awful riverside restaurants and bars in the area. The menu appeared to have been written by someone who only had half the ingredients, I barely understood it to be honest, but the food turned out to be lovely. The quiche should be entered into the International quiche awards, if there is one (if there isn't then 'Cat's Back' could do worse than establish it.) Wonderful atmosphere and a reassuring, genuine kookiness.
|
I first discovered this pub when I was working at Carlson in Putney Bridge Road and thought it one of those few pubs that you'd actually consider moving home to be near. The Island Queen in Islington is another one. But I didn't, ending up in bloody New Malden instead.
However, it's worth assuring those who've worried that the pub is in imminent danger of being discovered by yuppies or the 'Hoxton set' (bit of a hike for them isn't it?) that this has probably happened already, and the pub has survived the experience. After all, that first visit of mine was back in 1996, and I remember thinking precisely the same thing then - that it was somehow about to be ruined by people who won't 'get it'.
Glad to hear that it's still the same. Shame about the price increases, though.
|
stumbled across this pub a couple of years back, it reminded me of those pubs you get in Ireland that have greengrocers and bike repair shops in them, very quirky
|
Quirky pub, quirky decor, quirky staff - great, welcoming atmosphere, good selection of beer and nice fellow drinkers. Recommended to wander off the beaten track for this one, you'll feel like you've found a nugget in an area full of faceless bars.
|
The atmosphere in the pub is great. There was a selection of four real ales on, and the two I sampled were very tasty. Definitely worth going back to.
|
I was told that the reason that the pub is called The Cat's Back was because the owners' cat disappeared once when they were on holiday and they were worried it had gone for good - so a considerate local customer stuck a sign on the pub window "The Cat's Back" when it reappeared, which the grateful owners saw at once upon returning from holiday.
But yes, Bill, you are right, this is indeed a great pub and it's certainly interesting and different.
PS - Wonder what the site is worth for its development potential.
|
Great pub, good beer, interesting and different in a positive way, only downside is the lack of Mini Cheddars and it’s slightly expensive but worth it. The name of course is a play on the South London joke about the Battersea Dogs’ Home (“Do you know the Battersea dog’s home” – “I didn’t know he’d been away”)
|
Can't really explain what it is that I liked about this place. Could be the excellent range of beers, the interesting collection of (for want of a better word) bric-a-brac, the friendly atmosphere, or the log fire. Very different from any other pub I've been to, and all the better for it.
|
Very quirky, very dark pub with an equally dark labrador. "Interesting" music selection, good atmosphere. Worth a look for something different.
|
Used to be a fine Pub. Its now full of the Fulham Crowd who like shouting at the top of their voices. Also beer has gone up 20p since the pub was mentioned on TV.
Sorry guys.
|
Nearly missed this one......Very quirky....great find on the Thames path (almost)....£2.80 for a pint of real ale ment my rating was not as high as I would have made it.....Good pub to find........Mitch
|
This is a great little pub full of all sorts of novel nick-nacks and eclectic flotsam & jetsum. Excellent vibe!
I can sense, though, that it won't be long before the secret really gets out and the place is invaded by the "Yuppie Brigade" with their expensive push-chairs.
Enjoy it while you can!!
|
Ace!
good sandwiches during the week when not at work!
|
First time that I have been here for a while - still the great place that it always was, but charging £ 2.80p for a pint of Youngs Ordinary is taking the p***, especially when it's only £ 2.30p up the road at The Queen Adelaide. Do I detect that this pub is now taking advantage of the fact that it now seems to be in all the Guide Books and that, in consequence, the whole world and his wife wants to come here ? Or are they just looking to keep the riff - raff out ?
Interested in other visitors comments, please
John - 27 Oct 2004 15:36 |
unusual old pub full of intersting looking tat i think theyve been running it for years very well by my estimation
dave d - 13 Oct 2004 18:14 |
UNIQUE!
|
nice pub, shame about the awful "venetian" blind! I had thought it had been binned but it seems to still be putting in an appearance!
Hobo - 9 Aug 2004 21:45 |
this pub is worth a flight from switzerland. see you in october for some speedballs.
patrick - 26 Jun 2004 12:57 |
Everything you want from a pub and more. An absolute must.
|
This is my new favourite pub in London. Haven't been in Daylight and don't really want to. eclectic, candle lit, place with mismatched furniture (including an old barbers chair) and an interesting assortment of wall decorations. Friendly crowd. Now if only I could remember how to get back.
|
Visited at lunchtime, fairly busy, food excellent. Junk everywhere [including gollies!].
Dog very friendly.
|
I was told by a friend that I had to visit this pub while I was in England, and when I found the place, the owner and the regulars pretty much adopted me for the few months I was in the country. Very warm friendly atmosphere.
|
Victorian pornography, ethnic clutter and very chilled vibes make this a cool place to drink by any account. Candle light keeps the mood sincere, so no posers please. A varied crowd adds to the feeling of exclusivity, that you are drinking in some hidden treasure that the Hoxton set have yet to invade and ruin. Fortunately its, quite literal, back water location should save it from such a plight. Fabulous.
Good for: Hatching plans
|
This place is cool!, A really good winter pub when the fire is blazing and its cold outside.
9/10 I think.
Richard - 27 Oct 2003 14:38 |
I used to work at this place - and i even wanted to be there when i wasnt. which says something about the place.
|
best pub in the area. unpretentious - somehow manages to keep the yuppies at bay
anonymous - 23 Sep 2003 22:49 |
Great pub !!!
gary - 18 Jul 2003 14:51 |
Brilliant pub come museaum. Hard to explain, must be visited, Great Sunday lunch,and friendly staff. An interesting visit.
Anonymous
anonymous - 15 Jul 2003 21:39 |
An amazing place! This pub well deserves its place in the Good Beer Guide. O'hanlon's beer kept in good condition. An adventurous music policy - very chilled out staff make this a refreshing oasis in the Youngs' heartland. Go there!
|
Top little quirky venue- like something from a Terry Gilliam film. Excellent large Sunday roast and tremendous O'Hanlon's wheat beer on tap. Recommended.
Leigh - 29 Apr 2003 16:18 |
The best pub in town, without doubt and, what's more it's my local. Very lucky for me, I think. Very small, very cramped, not everyone's cup of tea - out of the way, so you need to know it's there. Still, that keeps away all the wine-bar, chain-pub types.
chris - 28 Feb 2003 12:40 |
Surely these places dont exist any more
Dr William Ho - 13 Nov 2002 15:15 |
Funny little place, defintely worth a visit
Luke Oner - 13 Nov 2002 15:14 |
Putney's best kept secret (although everyone knows about it). Definitely my favourite pub in London
Chris Newman - 13 Nov 2002 15:13 |
Great selection of real ales, an ales drinkers dream come true even
Terry Osser - 13 Nov 2002 15:12 |
What a place, especially liked the owner whose combined good looks and amusing wit make the place a real pleasure to visit
Barry Rownose - 13 Nov 2002 15:11 |
Fantastic
Paul - 13 Nov 2002 15:09 |
Putney's best kept secret (although everyone knows about it). Definitely my favourite pub in London.
Chris Newman - 17 Oct 2002 12:41 |
Very cool place. The photo really doesn't do it justice!! It's down a lovely cobble-stone road and the atmosphere is positively enchanting. The night I was there they had a DJ playing chill sessions and there also appeared to be a group smoking pot!
Adrian Yorke - 7 Oct 2002 23:56 |
Have been drinking here for years, bought with a shopping bag full of money. Also they let dogs in. Nice and chilled.
Pete MC - 26 Sep 2002 12:23 |
Very Good - small, full of interesting junk. Think it might be about to be knocked down.
Doug - 30 Aug 2002 11:03 |
Went there for the first time tonight - fantastic! Like drinking in an H.G.Wells novel... definitely worth repeat visits!
|
skip nav