Putney. It's all about the river. And pubs. And the best combo of the two can be found at the Duke's Head, a couple of oar strokes from Putney Bridge. It's a solid, white chubster of a building with a much coveted set of tables outside facing onto the Thames.
Inside, you'll find three large spaces separated by Victorian partitions, neatly decorated from a 2012 refit. Most Thames-ward, you'll find a smartly appointed dining room, then a middle mingling room, and finally a more relaxed lounge area. More space can be found upstairs in the hireable Wolseley Room. The pub is often crowded, but never more so on Boat Race day. The starting line is right outside the pub.
The Duke's Head is very much geared up for dining, with superior British classics at not-unreasonable prices. The wine list is a corker, with over a dozen each of white and red and plenty of description to help you choose. The beer options are less exciting — four mainstream ales including Young's-own — though certainly not disappointing.
There's plenty of entertainment, too, with regular comedy, DJ and film nights, plus a Monday night quiz.
