Devonshire, Balham

Absolutely awful, a tragic waste of what was once a fantastic boozer. I won't repeat the rant that I made on the Duke of Devonshire (as was and as was loved) entry.

23 Apr 2008 23:04

The Duke of Devonshire, Balham

Trust me if I hadn't been so gutted, and I was devastated that the icon had been destroyed, I wouldn't have registered. I'm sorry that you assume that I must work for a rival bar to criticise the Duke. I assure you that I don't, and the fact that you (who I assume works at the Devonshire) thinks that I do shows a frihtening lack of insight. Bring back the old Duke!!

3 Mar 2008 16:06

The Duke of Devonshire, Balham

I can only assume that the person who claims that the refurbishment of this once fantastic establishment is "sympathetic" should get themselves down Specsavers. Like several of the reviewers below I was concerned that the refurbishment was happening at all. The Duke is one of the few longstanding pubs left in Balham, and a place where you could either while away a day with friends or enjoy a few evening beers. No longer.

As concerned as I was about the refurbishment I was utterly stunned to see the absolute carnage that had been wrought on a Balham icon. The interior design, looked like a nouveau riche lottery winner's nightmare. For those of you that didn't have the pleasure of the unruined Duke, it is an old pub with many beautiful period features. I can only imagine that the person who thought that tacky chandeliers and 1,000 lights down one of the walls was the way to pick out these beautiful features has spent some time in a loony bin. To call it vulgar and crass is a vast understatement. Within 10 minutes of being in the pub I started to feel nauseous.

Rant 2 - as a previous person commented, the Duke has clearly decided to sweep all of its previous patrons under the carpet. I certainly have nothing against gastropubs, but the Duke now appears to think it is a restaurant and because I wasn't eating the ever lurking "Devonshire Crew" staff made me feel like I was some sort of leper. Not that I'm sure anyone would want to part with so much money for a pub meal. If you are talking those sort of prices there are plenty of good restaurants in the area. So basically its people who want a few drinks with their friends out, and the nappy valley crowd with 2 year old Tristan and four year Hugo in tow in. A word to the wise Youngs (and I know this will provoke screams of outrage from some quarters), but small children have no place in a pub, and pandering to this set will see your pub out of business in no time.

So to summarise, for shame Youngs. You have taken one of the best pubs in south London, and turned it into a vile, tackily decorated disgrace. If there is ever a case for old pubs to become listed buildings then surely this is it. I am genuinely saddened by this, and it gives me absolutely no pleasure in writing this review. So to anyone who thinks that they may pop down there for a quiet drink or two? My advice is avoid it like the plague. It has gone from the best boozer in Balham to a place vying with the Moon Under Water for bottom spot.

3 Mar 2008 13:33