The Old Frizzle (Bar, Restaurant)

Top 10 things we learned about Old Frizzle bar when we visited:

1) Old Frizzle was a 19th century tax on card games. This bar was not created to commemorate bureaucratic tariffs, but to steadfastly advocate the good old times, when the good old times were tough.

2) Ergo, austerity measures have been put in place to provide remarkable value for money, both on drinks and on food; with portion sizes keeping the most ravenous hunger placated. When visiting the New Wimbledon theatre across the road, there’s a handy pre-theatre menu at 2 courses for £13.95.

3) Sports fans, you’re covered. Plasma screens offer Heineken Cup rugby, Ashes cricket, Premier League and UEFA Champions League football every day and night.

4) Old Frizzle is split into two areas: the high-ceilinged rear library with its conservatory roof, lofty stools, and cackling high jinx, where the young and fresh-from-work release a day’s worth of office tension. Whereas at the front, in the low-level dining area (note the ceiling made from former squash courts), a cosy Swedish skiing lodge is peopled by the casually dressed and those who are, you know, ‘our age’.

5) At 6.24pm, the near-full venue is certainly not wanting for atmosphere. The lights are dimmed and the old rockabilly gee-tar music grows a little louder, provoking friends and couples to move closer together. Later, funk will surreptitiously enter the frame.

6) Despite a drab, perfunctory accompanying salad, the BBQ pork rib sliders are encouraging starters and the tang of sauerkraut really gets things going.

7) There is less success with our mains. The pile of gritty, orange slop is arguably the world’s worst impression of seafood linguine and my guest spends more time ejecting bits of inedible gristle than enjoying actual minted lamb.

8) The burger creations, however, look magnificent. I’d suggest Old Frizzle keeps it simple and sticks to what it does best: burgers, obviously.

9) The wine list is confusing, but there are plenty by the glass and no bottles over £32, we think. Redemption comes in the form of the superb cocktails. The vodka-passoa-passionfruit Solero practically needs a dessert spoon to tackle it, and I’m sure the secret ingredient in the potent Bee Sting cocktail is diesel. Woof!

10) With live sports, live music, beefy burgers, pub quizzes, Sunday roasts, and brunch, this reliable bar keeps the wombles of Wimbledon Common wombling free....read more