Right then, one for the London massif...
Regular drinkers visiting our illustrious capital city in the near future, would find themselves in a happy haze of bars, pubs, wine bars, old time boozers, restaurant bars, cocktail bars (and juice bars, though I prefer not to think about them too much)
So how to choose which one of the thousands to go to? Well there are many and I will no doubt be outlining a few of them, all in good time. But one venue worth a look is the world famous (their words) Dog and Fox in Wimbledon village.
Less than two miles from the All England Lawn Tennis Club, the Dog and Fox is possibly the most popular drinking hole in the village. An interesting if pricey, range of lagers like Peroni and Asahi are on sale, as well as a good mix of wines.
This being London, there are also champagnes on the menu, a decent variety ranging from the average to the exceptional. One to think twice about may be the Young's own brand champagne. It's popularity comes from it being one of only two available by the glass, the rest come by the bottle only. But having sipped a few bottles with an estimed drinking partner during my year in the rat race, the taste was not one I would recommend to friends. Without wanting to be rude, let me just say that there are better bottles out there, although you would generally have to pay more for them, suprise suprise.
However, champers aside, the Dog and Fox, post its referb of two years ago had a large restaurant area which is somewhat quieter than the main bar area. Main courses vary between £10-£15. There is also a perennially popular outdoor drinking area, now ever busier thanks to the smoking ban.
Overall, the Dog is a great place for a get-together, with enough space in a good sized bar for several large groups. And I think this is what makes this such a good place - lively atmosphere, good company and quality drinks, although it may take you time to actually get one, the bar staff are not the speediest in the world.
Exmouth's newest pub/bar is the Number 9 bar in St Andrew's Road. Formerly the Banqueting suite, it has now become a slightly odd two for the price of one american pool hall *** classy lounge bar. All in it is a classy joijnt, although having the two different styles in one venue is slightly odd. So, first off, the pool half - five american pool tables (huge, you can't miss, even if you were using the wrong end of the cue, pockets, only nine balls to worry about) and a table football game. The first night I visited not long after opening, it was busy with all tables spoken for. But a visit on on Thursday evening was a quiet affair with only one game of pool being played. The lounge bar area - very nice, large comfortable chairs and sofas, good thick wooden tables , with a cream and brown theme throughout. Gives a relaxed atmopsphere for theslightly older crowd. Plenty of space to talk and enjoy an evening, although on my visit being the only customers in this side of the venue, it was slightly disconcerting. The bar is decent for a venue of this size with a limited choice of reds and whites, while there is a better range of draught and bottled beers. Snacks are alegedly plentifulm, but on my visit the only nuts available were chilli spiced, much to my chagrin as I am more of a dry roasteds type of man. Prices were around £6.50 for wine and a bottle of Corona.