A home away from home

This superior boozer has most certainly played a prominent role during my time in London since moving to the Big Smoke several years back, and is quite simply a home away from home for me.

As a former Balham resident, I used to be something of a regular in this entertainment mecca, and have visited the pub for just about every conceivable social outing you can think of, from dates, reunions and big nights out, to leaving dos, stag dos and even a Christmas party.

Located on Bedford Hill, close to Balham train station, The Bedford cuts an imposing figure as it sits, imperious, alongside the railway bridge.

Within its mountainous walls, The Bedford is a unique, multi-roomed affair, with the main pub area consisting of a giant room complete with long bar and plenty of tables. It has a traditional, old-man feel to it, but is filled with mostly trendy, young people, and has a lively atmosphere.

The upstairs areas come alive on Friday and Saturday nights, when The Bedford transforms into one of the region's classiest late night spots, while there is a live performance area at the rear of the ground floor, which becomes a dancefloor at the weekends.

It has to be said that The Bedford's biggest selling factor is the range of entertainment it offers. Aside from its purposes as a bar and nightclub, this place is also one of the top venues for live music and stand-up comedy in Wandsworth. In addition, The Bedford offers an array of dancing classes in its upstairs rooms, including salsa and swing, and also shows all top sports events on an array of television screens.

On Saturdays, MonkeyFunk club night is one of the best late night choices around for a good night out, while Banana Cabaret is the pub's flagship comedy show, running on Friday and Saturday nights.

I recently attended a one-day music and comedy festival in the performance area entitled the Electric Sound and Light Club and have to admit it was a fantastic day's entertainment, particularly considering the fact that it all went down in a pub.

But this place ticks serious boxes either as a late night destination or a place to enjoy a Sunday afternoon pint with friends, and has built up a deserved reputation as one of the best boozers around.

Another plus for me is the choice of beer on offer, with one of my all-time favourite Cornish beers, Doom Bar, a permanent fixture at the pumps. There is also Yellow Hammer, Timothy Taylor and Young's to choose from, keeping bitter and ale aficionados such as I more than happy.

The food is also of a high standard, with the menu offering traditional pub fare and slightly more glamorous dishes such as seafood linguine.

It is hard to find many negatives in this place, such is the level of transcendence with which I regard it, but, if my hand was forced, I guess I would say that the smoking area out back can feel somewhat dingy, sitting as it does almost underneath the railway bridge, while it can on occasion take a long time to get served at the bar.

The Bedford may look a little bit like Norman Bates's house from the movie Psycho, but it is infinitely more welcoming than that place and, if you haven't already been, it is definitely well worth checking out. The Bedford, 77 Bedford Hill, Balham. SW12 9HD.

Décor: Traditional, tidy and not overdone or pretentious. Four Atmosphere: First class, no matter when you choose to drop in. Five Staff: Friendly and chatty. Four Drink: Good real ales, and a decent general selection. Four Price: Nothing out of the ordinary for this area. Three