Bar Local (Fulham)

2 - 8 Dawes Road, Fulham, SW6 7EW
Telephone: 0207 610 2332

Cuisine:
Average Price: £

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our comments

Coming from a culture that frowns upon Sunday drinking, it’s surprising how quickly I relaxed into the classic British ‘Sunday afternoons in the pub’ tradition. After living in Britain for so long, this weekly routine is so ingrained I find Monday a struggle if I haven’t had that one last chance to catch up with friends before the week starts again. However, for all the Sundays (or parts of) I’ve spent in pubs, I haven’t managed to spend many in bars, so popping down to Bar Local in Fulham was a slight deviation to the usual pattern. What greeted us on arrival was a barrage of enthusiasm and noise, the band were both engaging and fairly original, with a pianist, guitarist and intriguing female vocal. Most of the customers within the bar were either standing around watching or sitting close enough to ensure they didn’t miss a bit of it. Further on down the bar in sectioned off areas – one being a predominantly green area and one red were a range of couples, groups of females or mixed gender crowds, who all seemed content with their drinks, entertainment and company. The cocktail list isn’t huge and has quite a few sweet and fruity cocktails, but all are very reasonably priced, the majority being £5.50. Might be hard to resist popping back on a Monday for 2 for 1 Mojito Mondays, where you’ll not only find the traditional Mojitos, but fruity ones as well. If what you’re looking for isn’t on the slightly limited list the bar tenders all seem very capable of making you exactly what you’re looking for, which they definitely managed for me. The wine list is full of a wide range of wines, from Europe and the New World, again all within price range, especially for the slightly upmarket Fulham. With a range of beers on tap, from Stella to Leffe, to Guinness most should be well catered for. Apart from bread and dips and a few other nibbles the menu is burgers, burgers and more burgers. The two we tried had decent cuts of meat, tasty sauces and fresh veggies inside. Neither were oily or greasy, and the chips that accompanied were fresh and very un-McCain’s. It definitely wasn’t the usual Sunday roast for me, but the food was good, the atmosphere was extremely warm and the service amazingly friendly. It did have a ‘local’ feel, not only were customers served by name, but as I was washing my hands in the communal basins I overheard a female customer thanking one of the male musicians for such a great set. Now that’s the type of thing you want to hear on a Sunday night, before Mondays reality sets in.

J.H - May 2005