Tucked away in one corner of St George’s Square, just a stone’s throw from New Malden railway station, you’ll find the imaginatively named Bar Malden.
I’ve often been past this boozer on the 213 bus and wondered what it's like. When I popped in for a pint just the other day, I got my answer.
Run by the Marston Taverns chain, Bar Malden is a pretty unremarkable pub, but largely thanks to its location it will appeal to office workers, ladies who lunch and chavs alike.
Thankfully, I must have coincided my visit while the chavs were still in bed after a hard night blowing their benefit money on cheap booze, as I didn’t see one of those lager-loving little blighters anywhere.
However, I’m sure it might be a different story on a Friday or Saturday night.
Instead, there was a reasonably pleasant early afternoon atmosphere where office workers sat, supped and sought solutions to their work problems at the bottom of a pint glass.
There were also ladies enjoying a glass of wine, taking the opportunity to put their feet up after a visit to Poundland and let off steam about their husbands.
And then there was me; who made do with a pint of Hobgoblin, and you won’t find me slagging that off in the slightest.
In fact, Hobgoblin, made by Oxfordshire’s Wychwood Brewery, is one of my favourite tipples, so I was delighted to find that on tap.
To be honest I was pleasantly surprised to see a good choice of ales on draught which included Wychwood’s seasonal offering, Paddy’s Tout, and Marston’s English Pale Ale.
There is no point beating about the bush here, Bar Malden is hardly your quintessential quaint English boozer.
The place is certainly devoid of character, but being part of a modern office block, you can understand why.
Inside, it has a brown and cream colour scheme which is all very nice and it’s certainly tidy, but Bar Malden strikes me as the kind of place you’d pop into for a quick bevvie before heading off somewhere infinitely more interesting.
Bearing in mind the buses and trains are nearby ready to whisk you away then that’s probably your best bet.
Bar Malden, 1-3 St Georges Square, High Street, New Malden, KT3 4DQ
Décor: XXX Uninspiring, but does the job. If you like pictures of trumpets and saxaphones then this is the place for you.
Drink: XXXX A good selection of real ales, lagers and ciders. One of the real ale pumps was off, though.
Price: XXX My pint of Hobgoblin was the right side of three quid (£2.90).
Atmosphere: XX Low level music and TV meant the conversation could flow.
Staff: XXXX Very friendly and polite.
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