Hope, The - When the weather is generally soggy, rainy, dismal, overcast, or any combination of the four, you learn to make the most of summertime. And in Wandsworth, that means taking a trip to the grassy fields of Wandsworth Common, followed by a pint of Deuchars IPA and a hearty plate of Suffolk sausages at the outdoor tables across the street at The Hope—or, on second thought, drink first, interact with nature later. Though quiet during the day, this three-roomed corner spot becomes an obstacle course of packed tables and youngish professionals in the later hours, particularly during Monday’s quiz night. The pub is refreshingly unpretentious considering its borderline gourmet menu of goat cheese tarts and lamb burgers and a fairly fussy wine list. The front sitting room and middle bar area are ideal for relaxed gatherings over one of The Hope’s changing selection of real ales; a little annex with banquette seating is a more intimate option for couples, provided the garish yellow and brown floral wallpaper doesn’t kill the romance entirely. But as welcoming as the interior is, when the sun is out it’s all just a holding cell for the sorry folks who didn’t show up early enough to snag a coveted sidewalk table.
