Purkins

Before the 8th annual Xmas pub sessions and associated awards, we couldn't resist a second Nov Sessions and we started in a pub thats been on the radar for a few years. Purkins is nestled half way down Streatham Road, a 10 minute walk from Tooting train station or 15 from Tooting Broadway tube. Quite fabulous exterior, with a central door between semi-bow windows and the glorious Carlsberg sponsored Purkins sign.

We entered and were immediately met with the smell of a well oiled pub. Guiness and Stellas all round whilst we listened to the barmaid recant a story about a local vagrant who'd won £100 on the fruit machine last week. An old irish lady sat at the bar talking to a young guy at a separate table. Everyone seemed to know each other, though you would not have guessed it based on the ages and demographics. Multiple young men came in, bought a drink and went out the fire exit at the back, assumingly to a beer garden though we never ventured ourselves and never saw them come back. Mystery.

The barmaid drank a glass of white wine as Phil Collins played across the one room pub. No jukebox that we saw though hit after hit played, a perfectly curated playlist.

Unusual terracotta indoor roof over the bar and opposite table and chairs area.

At the bar there was a small, tiny, miniscule fruit fly problem though I'm sure that'll be sorted the next time we visit. Their purkins.com website has lapsed but the Facebook page boasts regular quiz nights so in their own words, don't be shy, give it a try.