Last Sunday we wandered into The Castle, a pub in Tooting. Last summer, I wandered by this pub, but I didn’t have time to pop in, so when I had errands that brought me back to the area I made sure I had time for a visit. It turned out to be a good thing.
The pub is spacious inside. There’s a mixture of bar type tables and sofas with coffee tables. For a Sunday afternoon, it was extremely quiet. That was a good thing since I just popped into a store and picked up some books. We weren’t starving, but wanted something to nibble so we ordered some nuts with our beers. I sampled two new beers: Portobello Star and Elb Pale Ale. Both were pleasant, but if I had to choose again, I would go with the Portobello Star. And guess what, I’ll probably have that chance real soon. The food looked good there and we’ve decided to pop in again after we visit some friends who live near there. So this review will be continued …
50 Year Project 
I’m a big fan of youngs pubs and their beer
I can see why. I forgot to mention we are taking a four day weekend, so who knows how many more Youngs pubs I’ll find this weekend.
enjoy
Thanks!
Glad to see you enjoyed your time there! Hope your second outing to this pub ends up going just as well. 🙂
I hope so. At least I know I like the beer just in case the food isn’t that great. Have a great weekend.
Well, I couldn’t have resisted going to a town called Tooting. And it opens the door for a myriad of entertaining pub names.
The name makes me giggle.
Not oneting but tooting
🙂
Tooting and Epping – both great names aren’t they.
Look forward to your food review. It’s a dirty job but somebody has to do it!
Lynn 😀
Haven’t been to Epping, but I’ve heard of it. I love the names and would like to know more of how they came about. Was there a Lord Tooting?
Tooting?? Seriously? I would love to have my picture taken in front of the Tooting sign (if there is one) holding a can of beans and pinching my nose. And, you bought books??? Spill it – which ones?
We’ll see if we can find you some signs. I bought a Stephen King book. I’ve been trying to collect the Dark Tower series, but have failed so far. I was able to snag one in the series, but it’s later on, so I can’t read it yet.
That’s a great series to collect. I love Stephen King’s writing!
One of my buddies back home was always talking about the series so I decided it’s time I find out why.
OK so good beer and soon we will hear about the FOOD! Enjoy your long weekend!
Thanks. It’s been so nice and relaxing so far!
Definitely looks like my kind of place. I so miss just hanging out in a pub for a few hours. whether with friends, or just reading a book or something. People tend to frown on you hanging on in pubs once the kids arrive.
kids are just no fun. ha.
I wouldn’t frown on you. We went to a pub last year (I’m forgetting the name right now) that had a nice big yard with a playground for the kids. Lots of parents were enjoying their “freedom”
I can see that you had a nice, pleasant visit at this pub! Enjoy your next visit…and your portobello star!
Thanks!
Nice review, TBM. Loved the name ‘Portobello Star’ 🙂 Looks like a ship’s name. Looking forward to part two of this review.
Thanks Vishy. I’m looking forward to it as well … maybe today.
Youngs used to be a brewery very local to where you now live. They sold out a few years ago. Until then you could visit the brewery with its farmyard animals and dray horses.
That’s a shame. So many are selling out. It would have been fun to see the animals and dray horses.
I love pubs. The Castle looks great to me. My longtime go-to neighborhood watering hole, the Emerald Inn, which was located on Columbus Avenue for 70 years, closed in April. The rent skyrocketed and a Kate Spade store took over the space. It takes all of my power of self-control not to spit after writing the previous sentence. The last time I felt such emotional distress from a loss was when my dog Mean Streak died at age 16 1/3 — taken in the prime of his barking and snarling. But, in June, the Emerald relocated three blocks away from my apartment! It’s even closer now. I am overjoyed! My liver, on the other hand, is horrified.
A friend of mine told me that the beer in the UK is not served cold like it is here in the US. Is that true?
Funny you say that. Yesterday we were in a pub and THB said, “Hey the beer here is actually cold.” Yes, they serve warm beer here. It’s more like room temperature. It took some getting used to, but I’ve adjusted.
Milton HATES warm beer. I’m not wild about it, either. Now do you prefer it room temp?
It depends on the beer now. When we were in the States last August it was nice to drink cold beer, but now I hardly notice when I’m at the pub. I got used to it, but I would love to see Milton’s face after taking his first sip. Better yet, I would like to hear his opinion. I have a feeling he’d have me rolling on the floor.
Milton would not even touch room temperature beer. No. Way. And yes his refusal to do so would be accompanied by some bon mots. Guaranteed. He’s a bon mot machine on feet.
A bon mot machine on feet–must meet this amazing marvel.
Even closer! That’s great. Our new flat has a pub right on the corner. Just a one-minute walk. It was the selling point of our flat 😉 I like the name the Emerald Inn. And Mean Streak, I’m sorry to hear about your loss. He lived 16 years–that’s amazing. Maybe all that barking and snarling helped him live such a long and “happy” life.
He was an extraordinary watch dog that took no prisoners including family. Another word to describe him would be psychopath. His quirks aside I was very fond of him. He would be 44 in human years on Thursday.
Miles is not a good watch dog, unless you count greeting everyone with a kiss. That might turn off some burglars. 44 this Thursday–that’s amazing. You must have loved him very much.
Intimidation inspires brain washing.
Did Miles accompany you guys on your getaway or was he left behind to make friends with the burglars who he introduced to your fine china? Woof.
I wish he would give away our “fine” china–I would love to get some decent plates. We actually had a staycation and loved it!
Part II should be interesting because the appearance is not fitting my perceived image.
I hope it doesn’t disappoint you.
I guess my imagine is the Old English style.
Some are still that way, but many are changing to stay alive. So many are going under it’s depressing.
Really? Wow … there goes my image!
I’m sorry to be the one to break the news to you.
Another bubble has been burst. 😉
I’m sorry buddy. If you visit, I can seek out the traditional ones for you.
That a way! ,,, and I’m sure you know where they are. 😉
I’m sure I could sniff a few out for you.
It would be a pleasure to clink glasses at a London pub. Cheers!
I agree. Have a great weekend and I hope all is well.
🙂
Looks like it was a great place! I’m intrigued by the name ‘Tooting’!
It’s a fun name.
Sorry it has taken me so many days to get here. It’s been a busy weekend, but this looks like a great place. Looking forward to part 2.
Hugs from Ecuador,
Kathy
I hope it has been a fun busy weekend.
Ooh memories – this was my “local” when I lived in Tooting Broadway. Glad to see it’s still doing ok!
It seems to be doing well. We met some of the locals on Monday–cheeky fellows.
What photosfromtheloonybin said. 😀
🙂
What fun! P.s. can’t believe I’ve not been following your blog! Fixing asap.
Thanks for the follow! How are things going on your end? I bet school keeps you pretty busy.
Yes! School has been not so kind as of late. We have three tests in the span of a week, but I try to think of studying as my job for the day. Some fellow med bloggers say the learning never stops and to get used to lots of tests!
I wish you luck! I have to agree with your buddies, the tests never end for years to come–so I hear.
Thank you 🙂
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I haven’t been to this pub for years (it’s not in a part of London I normally frequent) but in the late 1970s it used to be something of a dive that was known locally as a venue for live music. In those days, lots of pubs in London had live bands playing. The Castle was a free-entry place that didn’t have name bands on, but some relatively well-known bands from that era did emerge from the scene there, e.g. UK Subs and Girlschool.