Fox & Hounds

Just what London needs - another pub claiming to be the perfect spot for a pint and sports viewing. The Fox & Hounds in Putney had me rolling my eyes before I even walked through the door. How many screens can one establishment possibly justify? The answer, apparently, is "more than you'd think necessary," and yet somehow... it works.

I'll admit, I approached this place with the same enthusiasm I reserve for dental appointments. Another cookie-cutter London pub serving lukewarm beer and microwaved chips to sports fanatics? But the Fox & Hounds pulled off something I wasn't expecting - it managed to be unpretentious without being shabby, welcoming without being desperate, and actually decent value for money in a city that seems determined to empty our wallets.

Let's talk about the space, shall we? Yes, there are screens everywhere, but they've somehow arranged them in a way that doesn't make you feel like you're trapped in an electronics store. The air conditioning actually works - a miracle in London pub terms - and the beer garden out back is surprisingly civilized. It's almost as if someone with more than two brain cells designed the layout, which in the current London pub scene is about as rare as finding a bargain in Mayfair.

The staff, against all odds, seem to genuinely enjoy their jobs. I know - I was shocked too. There's this bartender, Izzy (who's achieved minor celebrity status among regulars), who manages to remember orders, crack jokes, and maintain actual human warmth all at once. It's almost unsettling how genuine it feels.

Now, about those prices. In a city where a pint can cost as much as a small car payment, the Fox & Hounds maintains surprisingly reasonable rates. The beer selection is solid, the wine list won't win awards but won't make you wince either, and the cocktails are actually drinkable - a low bar, perhaps, but one that many London pubs still manage to trip over.

The food... well, here's where my cynicism threatened to make a comeback. But damn them, they've managed to make even simple pub grub taste better than it has any right to. The chips - and I say this through gritted teeth - are actually proper chips. Not frozen mistakes, but proper, crispy-on-the-outside, fluffy-on-the-inside chips. The mac and cheese (yes, I tried it, judge away) has that satisfying crust that makes you forget you're eating in a pub that's primarily set up for sports viewing.

Speaking of sports viewing - if you're going to watch a match, this is how you do it. The acoustics have been thought through (unlike that place in Chelsea where every goal celebration sounds like it's being filtered through a tin can), and you can actually see the screen from most angles. Revolutionary concept, I know.

They're dog-friendly too, which means you'll occasionally share space with four-legged patrons who are generally better behaved than their two-legged companions. The pool table, while not exactly championship quality, provides entertainment during those rare moments when there isn't a match on, and they take cards, contactless, and even cash - because apparently some places in London still remember that payment options shouldn't be a challenge.

The location, right in the heart of Putney, makes it dangerously convenient for an impromptu visit. And while the outdoor seating area isn't exactly the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, it's a perfectly serviceable space for those rare days when London remembers what sunshine looks like.

Look, I didn't want to like the Fox & Hounds. I really didn't. But in a city full of either soulless chains or overly precious gastropubs, this place has carved out a niche that's actually worth your time. Whether you're catching a match, meeting friends, or just seeking refuge from London's perpetual drizzle, you could do far worse - and I've done far worse, believe me.

So fine, Fox & Hounds, you win. You've managed to create a London pub that doesn't make me want to become a teetotaler. Book a table if you're planning to watch a big match, bring your four-legged friend if you've got one, and prepare to be annoyingly pleasantly surprised. Just don't tell them I sent you - I have a reputation to maintain.