It’s T-Minus four days to the day we’ve been waiting for since December, when pubs and restaurants can reopen and serve outdoors.
While this may limit many from opening, it’s not all doom and gloom.
Unlike the easing of lockdowns past, there is no longer a 10pm curfew and ordering a substantial meal with your drinks is no longer compulsory.
So whilst Boris may be raising his glass, “cautiously” next week, I know that many of us will be throwing caution to the wind.
The following pubs are some of the best in South West London.
They’ve been narrowed down by quality of the beer garden, average price of draught beer, the price of a burger (the one thing that’s on every pub menu) and the availability of vegetarian/vegan options to boot.
The Windmill – Clapham
- Price of Draught Beer- £6
- Price of Beef Burger- £16
- Vegetarian/Vegan options- ✔️
Located on the south-side of Clapham Common, The Windmill is a lovely place to go after a sunday stroll with the family, or as the final destination on a walk around the common with your Bumble date.
What truly makes it special though is its furry resident, Max, a very friendly Bernese mountain dog who works full-time as the pub’s sausage roll inspector.
Insider’s tip – If you haven’t made a reservation, the bench by the big cow statue sits two, and isn’t included in the pub’s booking system. So if you arrive at the pub and it’s free, run don’t walk.
The Prince – West Brompton
- Price of Draught Beer- £5.80
- Price of Beef Burger- £11 (Filth&Co)
- Vegetarian/Vegan options- ✔️
The Prince is one of London’s most Insta-worthy pubs.
In the summer, Instagram was full of pictures showing friends sipping cocktails in their garden – which is actually the biggest heated garden in London.
A great menu, a large range of drinks and ability to fit your group of six around a warm table results in a night that you’ll want to relive every weekend.
The Duke of Edinburgh – Brixton
- Price of Draught Beer- £3.50 (Happy Hour)
- Price of Beef Burger- £13.50
- Vegetarian/Vegan options- ✔️
The Duke of Edinburgh is home to the biggest beer garden in South London.
White Men Can’t Jerk independently operate the pub’s kitchen, and you’re spoilt for choice with their menu.
Wash it all down with a local beer from the large range available on tap and you’re on to a cracking night.
Be sure to download the Your Round app before you arrive. The pub uses it to take orders making it easier to uphold social distancing measures.
Insider’s tips – The tables with heaters are situated around the edge of the beer garden, so make sure to book the warmest seats in the joint.
The Prince Albert – Battersea
- Price of Draught Beer- £5.75
- Price of Beef Burger- £15.25
- Vegetarian/Vegan options- ✔️
A stone’s throw away from Battersea Park, and even closer to the Thames, The Prince Albert makes the perfect final stop on any Sunday walk.
If you’re hoping to regain all the calories that you have burnt, enjoying the Mixed Roast (Beef, Chicken and Pork) at one of the heated tables in the garden should do the trick.
The Avalon – Balham
- Price of Draught Beer- £5.80
- Price of Beef Burger- £12
- Vegetarian/Vegan options- ✔️
Balham’s Avalon is the answer to the age old question, why settle for one beer garden when you can have three?
Alongside two terraces, heated seating and secluded booths are dispersed throughout the large rear garden.
And if this isn’t enough to tempt you into booking, then maybe the dedicated bar serving cocktails and kitchen providing regular hog roasts will do the trick.
All of the pubs included in this article have confirmed they’re opening on 12th April. However, do check gov.uk for any further updates.
