Grand Union Wandsworth Review

Best for: beer garden, party atmosphere, stylish decor

Great: service, cocktails, burgers

I’m a great lover of food. My mouth will automatically start watering if someone mentions chicken bhuna – dry and hot, with licks of red chilli and caramelised onion served with chunks of delicately spiced naan – from my favourite Indian restaurant in London, Khans. I go to sleep at night dreamng of Pad Thai from Busaba Eathai; of the fusion of sweet, sour and salty flavours; of the juicy prawns. I sneak out of work early to venture alone into La Perla, hell bent on filling my face with fresh zesty guacamole and sizzling fajitas (the hotter the better). I love digging in, getting food all over my face and in my lap.

I love restaurants – ones that serve three courses and ones that serve seventy. I love stiff white napkins and sommeliers that let me know which wines go with which dish. I love putting on something nice and sharing stories over the table.

But above all else, I love good food. And I’d like to think that if there is one thing I know, it’s good burgers. Which is where the Grand Union Bar comes in.

If I’m being honest, Grand Union, in general, offers more than just great burgers. The GU in Wandsworth is slightly off the beaten track which means that it is less crowded and claustrophobic than the nine other GU Bars that decorate the city. Being a frequenter of the GU in Brixton, I was dubious about whether this venue would live up to the upmarket, burlesque feel of its predecessors. Fortunately it did, with all the style and showmanship I have come to expect from the GU chain. Inside is great – floral wallpaper, oriental fans, beaded chandeliers and leather couches – but it’s out the back where you see something extra special as the Wandsworth branch of the GU boasts perhaps one of the best beer gardens in London. Christened the ‘Pleasure Garden’, there are plenty of green grass spaces, slouchy beanbags and hammocks to enjoy a drink or three, accompanied by a beach-style island bar. And if that wasn’t enough, the Thai treehouses (covered raised areas) that made the Brixton branch so popular are set to make an appearance at the Wandsworth branch in the summer of 2011.

But on this autumn evening everything pales into insignificance once the burgers are brought out. The menu is a simple one – either burgers or pizzas (with variations in the form of ‘stacks’ – without buns – for those with a conscience). As a rule of thumb I tend to look at what everyone else is ordering. And the general consensus seemed to be: a burger for yourself, or a pizza to share. And I’m not great at sharing. So a burger it was – a mammoth beast of a chicken burger, piled high with avocado and bacon – with chips and garlic dough balls to share, all washed down with a cocktail from the prolific cocktail menu (a lychee martini – shaken not stirred).

The GU is everything you want in a chain. Upmarket, friendly, glamorous and luxurious in its decor, with friendly staff and a real party atmosphere. But what sets it apart from all the other chains of upmarket, glamorous bars in London is the grub. Good, honest, great tasting pub grub. With lashings of inventive cocktails to wash it all down. To tick so many boxes – from a chain of bars no less – is rare in London. Wandsworth may be half way across London (Deep South no less) – but it’s a journey worth taking again and again. If only for another bite of a great burger. ...read more

Claire Williams 12 Oct 2010

Customer Reviews for Grand Union Wandsworth

Average (based on 3 votes): 3 Atmosphere: Value: Quality:

The following customer reviews are not endorsed by Fluid London and are simply those of users who wish to publish their independent experiences of Grand Union Wandsworth.

“Massive beer garden! Great DJ on the weekend, smiling bar staff and a nice selection of food and drink! I came to Grand Union Wandsworth for my birthday with 25 friends of mine and were given a nice spacious area for my guests and I. We stayed all night long and it was only a fiver to get in! amazing! will defo go back x”
Atmosphere: Value: Quality:
vanessa canelle, london (7 months 7 days ago)

“Very Poor. When we ordered our drinks, 2 of them were ciders. They were presented with ice. When we asked for the ice to be removed, the barmaid looked at us with complete disdain.We tried to make light of the moment but she just smirked at her colleague. After ordering we waited over 30 minutes for the food to arrive.After it arrived the burgers (all 5) were barely warm. We bmentioned this to the staff, upon which all they could say "it was cooked fresh". Please tell me what that means.... Overall, for a burger that costs close on £10 I expect better service. For a pub, I expect them to ask if I want ice in a pint. After all, when they took the ice out I was left with 3/4 of a pint. Good for the bar, poor for the customer. May I add this is not the 1st time we have been here. It is a 5 minute walk from home & we thought we would give it the benefit of the doubt. Alas they failed again.”
Atmosphere: Value: Quality:
wolfie, Wandsworth (2 years 3 months 13 days ago)

“Easily one of the best beer gardens in southwest London, if not the whole of London. As soon as it gets warm again, I'm there!”
Atmosphere: Value: Quality:
Vinny Edge, Clapham (2 years 5 months 12 days ago)

Grand Union Wandsworth Opening Hours

Additional Information

• Cuisine Type: Bar
• Dress Code: Casual
• Website: Visit the Grand Union Wandsworth website
• Group: GU Group