The Thirsty Bear

Unfortunately The Thirsty Bear feels a bit in the middle of nowhere (it's a long, unattractive walk in a pair of heels from Waterloo!) and the atmosphere inside reflects this. There are large TV screens dotted around showing a football match and despite the fact that it's a Wednesday night, the only clientele seems to be a few old men who were probably coming here before all London pubs got gentrified or trendified and a couple of students who aren't going to be spending the bucks no doubt needed to recoup the set up costs of this innovative pub. The draw is the “pull your own pint” concept and modern techno gimmickery for ordering non-hop related items. But not every table has a working computer screen and even fewer tables have a beer pump so unless you are at one of those, you're just in a slightly random pub. Service (which you need for anything except the beer, and even the beer at the non-pump tables) is very friendly. We don't really get to sample the food because the kitchen shuts at 9pm (this is London, people!) although, as we beg, the chef kindly cooks up a couple of bowls of pub-worthy chips at 5 mins past the hour. Probably a great venue for groups of beer-drinking boys on a big night out (if you reserve a pump table) but that's it I'm afraid. It's a shame as the idea is fun and, in the same way places such as Yo Sushi opened our eyes to new food service concepts, had the potential to to add a new string to London's drinking bow. The owners should be lauded for trying something different but sadly I don't think this particular incarnation of the techno pub, thanks largely to the location, is going to be the one which heralds the future of the British pub. See the Fulham Wine Rooms for a really slick, professional version of the self-service concept.

This place is brilliant fun! The only reason why I haven't given it full marks was because the kitchen closed at 8pm, on a Saturday. We were having such a good time we forgot about going somewhere for food. The novelty of pulling your own pint and watching the counter on the ipad going up in increments was worth it! It was very quiet (downstairs), I'm sure as it catches on the atmosphere will improve. Staff are friendly. Will definitely go back.

The pub of the future! Where do I begin? Having heard great reviews, we decided to give it a go. It was fantactic! Great atmoshphere, funky technology and a new way to go to the pub without the hastle of standing at the bar, queuing or waiting to be served. You order your food and drinks on an iPad and they are brought over to you. There are 2 pumps on the table, lager and cider, where you help yourself and it is automatically added to your tab

The burger simply has to be tried. Made from fillet and Sirloin steak and served perfectly pink. It was the best burger I've ever had! It was very well priced and served quickly.

Couldnt recommend this place highyly enough!