Are you looking to have a night out in London? Don’t forget about SW!
The vibrant region boasts numerous incredible neighbourhoods that offer countless options for great bars and pubs.
The heart of south west London, Clapham, has become a true cultural hub thanks to its extensive selection of bars and restaurants with Clapham High Street being the home to some of the busiest drinking spots in London.
Upmarket Putney, Wandsworth, and Barnes are known for its breathtaking riverside settings, while Richmond is an ideal location for an outdoor drink with its lovely parks and green spaces. Read on for our handpicked top five spots in south west London.
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Dirty Martini
Dirty Martini, formerly known as ‘The Loft’, is situated at Clapham’s Clement Avenue, a five-minute walk down Clapham High Street from Clapham North tube station.
It looks pretty ordinary from the outside, but once you’re inside, you’ll be overwhelmed by the bar’s postmodern New York charm.
The stainless steel, exposed air vents and brick flooring, brown leather sofas and candle lights create a luxurious modern industrial vibe.
The most impressive feature of the first-floor venue is its enormous glass windows that give you a bird’s eye view of the infamous madness of Clapham High Street.
Pick a drink from their list of more than 50 cocktails or learn craft of mixology to make your own drinks at £25 per head.
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Balham Bowls Club
Balham Bowls Club is a long-abandoned building of character turned into something special.
Located minutes away from the bustling Balham High Road, the former bowling club retains plenty of its original decor, sporting memorabilia and quirky trinkets that remind us of its past splendour.
Once you walk into the BBC, you’ll find a series of bar areas to your left, a function room called the Presidential Room to your right and a spacious dining hall lying at the back.
Upstairs is The Ballroom, available for private hire and movie screenings. Balham Bowls Club offers an encyclopaedic selection of spirits, rotational wines, bottled beers and ciders.
Their signature Sunday Roast is superb – you won’t be disappointed with their Yorkshire puddings.
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Powder Keg Diplomacy
Thanks to its vintage Victorian splendour and deliberate decoration, Powder Keg Diplomacy has successfully kept pastiches away.
There is, however, more to this shining piece of gem in Battersea than its interior.
Have a taste of heritage cobblers, punches, international beers and wines as well as refreshing cocktails such as “Fog City 27” in the Rifle Club Bar, and in the more formal Observatory Dining Room you can enjoy a seasonally evolving selection of dishes such as Richmond venison with beetroot, carrot purée and sprout leaves and Ramsgate gurnard with roasted orange.
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Grosvenor Casino
Looking for an exciting Las Vegas-style night out? Check out Grosvenor Casino in South Kensington for some palm-sweating gaming experience.
The modern, comfortable surroundings are perfect for spinning the Roulette wheel or chasing 21 in a round of Blackjack. Winner winner, chicken dinner! If you haven’t been to a casino yet, perhaps it’s a good idea to try one out online to get a feel for the wide variety of casino games at Grosvenor Casino.
And when you need a break from the excitement, you can always grab a drink at the casino’s intimate bar with giant TV screens, or sample the contemporary dishes in their restaurant.
Whether you’re an experienced gambler or not, Grosvenor Casino will guarantee you an impressive night out.
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Suburban Bar and Lounge
This little bar in the upmarket suburb of Wimbledon offers not only an impressive range of more than 150 cocktails but also the glass juggling and showmanship of smiling, friendly expert mixologists.
The passageway to the rear garden full of framed photos of punters having fun at the bar enhances the friendly atmosphere of the Suburban Bar and Lounge.
The smart looking venue is chocolate brown, terracotta tiled with a lounge area with fire.
