The Eagle Ale House — Restaurant in London

This pub I've been wanting to review for a while but it's either been closed, or it's been rammed wall to wall and I can't get my empty pictures. I timed it wrong again here, celebrating after a successful opticians visit, I arrived 10 minutes before opening.

The guy on the bar welcomed me in regardless, and poured an exceptional pint of the Verdant Sundialer I previously posted. I had 2 of them. I could've had a million of them. Basking in wobbly garden embracing the sun, then the torrential rain then the sun again, reeling from the half of @breadstall pizza I'd inhaled moments prior, it doesn't get much better than that.

The pub itself is old af, goes back to 1876 I believe and was restored in 1890, originally one of six pubs on the street and the main brewery supplying them. Sadly this is the last one remaining, many a pub gone in Clapham to make way for housing, some of the facades and structures remain if you look closely. Some resembling pubs so much that I got my roads mixed up and thought this one had closed down a few years back - reading old articles, there was a very real threat that it did during Covid.

Inside it's roomy, comfy, and red. It's probably the best way to describe it. Coat-hooks under the bar, and bar seating, are a welcomed sight to see. It's the small touches that make this one of the classic pubs you know and love, and with the impressive keg and cask selection it's no wonder it's been repeatedly listed as a CAMRA SW London award winner, and even graced the cover of the GBG.

Some great memories of bouncing down Northcote Road when I lived and worked in Clapham many years ago. A good slice of nostalgia bouncing down here again, not much has changed, and with respect to this pub, I'm...

First-rate pub - shame about its petty bar manager

Let me be clear - The Eagle is a brilliant pub. I’ve spent many happy times there and met some great people, both customers and bar staff alike, and I’ve always enjoyed going there.

That said, the bar manager (the one with the ginger beard, bald head, usually in a flat cap) lets the place down. His mood can be quite changeable, (if you know, you know), but with such inconsistent moods, it does beg the question - is this really the right role for him if it’s how customers are treated?

My grumble: I’d asked a member of staff to bring me a drink outside while he was collecting glasses, as I was sitting alone and didn’t want to lose my seat under the heated lamp. This isn’t a request I’m in the habit of making - I just wanted to stay in my spot. I’d even bought the member of staff in question a drink as a thank you because that’s just the kind of person I am. However, when he came back to take my payment, he apologised and said the manager had told him he wasn’t allowed to do that again. It struck me as petty, power-trip behaviour from someone more focused on flexing authority over young members of staff than keeping regular customers happy.

Anyone who knows me knows I’m one of the good guys - friendly and engaging but I’m nobody’s fool, and I won’t stand for being treated poorly. I won’t be returning to The Eagle which is a shame, because it’s otherwise a great pub, but then there’s always one bad egg (no pun intended).

For the avoidance of doubt, the five stars go to the pub itself; definitely not...

As ever, more than enough of a selection of superlative cask beers to satisfy any CAMRA-judge-wannabe’s need for a stalwart pint of Bitter. The New Forest Best is my 1st choice when on, or if not as today, the Shere Drop is many’s fave! I chose an “Original” Pork Pie with English Mustard from an assortment of Pork Pies. One with Blue Cheese tempted me but I know what I like! It’s actually my fave Pork pie anywhere. By a mile. I’ve known this pub for years and am very fond of the brilliant landlord and his wife who know me (but do only see me at my beer-swigging Best!) The No.1 Manger is a real character. All the staff are great! The regulars are all good for a convo if you can penetrate the “Local v. Outsider” wall. The Yoot love the Eagle and can add a real buzz to the crustier aspects of the place. A Music/Jam/Open Mic Night happens regularly which is worth investigating if your that way inclined. Sitting in the rear garden with the above-mentioned combo writing a review is the perfect thing to be...