Through the Gateway to the South
Pubs down the Northern Line from Balham to Morden
PUBS IN SW12 BALHAM
This printout of the online version of Through the Gateway to the South has been updated by information reported up to January 2010. To buy the printed version of any of our local guides go to the CAMRA on-line shop at http://shop.camra.org.uk/
Eventually we will have all the pubs in our area available on-line via the very useful www.whatpub.org website. We intend this to be the most up-to-date pubs listing available for South West London pubs.
For now we now have UPDATED on-line versions of the three earliest publications available on this website. Either use the Pubs drop down menu at the top of any page for direct links to the on-line pubs lists or click the links below for a list of the pubs in the relevant postcode area:
If you spot any errors or omissions in our listings please contact our Pubs Officer, Geoff Strawbridge geoff.strawbridge@camraswl.org.uk, with the details.
TRANSPORT
Stations
LU - Balham, Clapham South (Northern)
NR - Balham, Wandsworth Common
Access is easy by Underground, bus routes or British Rail.
Use the TfL Journey Planner to find your way.
HISTORY
Balham was originally called Balgenham until 1542 when the more modern Balams was the name of the local farm. The High Road came into being in the 1850s with country mansions being built along it. These were replaced in the 1890s by commercial development.
PUBS
Pubs are listed in alphabetical order.
Photos are by our webmaster, Mike Flynn.
Facilities are coded under each real ale pub entry:
NR/LU/TL - Rail, tube or tram station within 1/2 mile:
AC - Accommodation
CP - Own car park:
DF - Disabled access + WC
FA - Children welcome:
GD - Garden or outdoor drinking area
SN - Snacks (sandwiches, pies etc):
ML - Lunchtime meals
ME - Evening meals:
RS - Restaurant
FR - Function room:
PB - Separate public bar
PG - Traditional pub games:
QP - Quiet pub
RI - Regional Inventory:
LocAle - CAMRA LocAle Accredited
AVALON
16 Balham Hill
SW12 9EB
Tel: 020-8675 8613; Website theavalonlondon.co.uk
Enterprise
Timothy Taylor: Landlord; +2 guest beers
A few hundred yards down the hill from Clapham South tube, once a coaching inn and probably the oldest pub in the area though little of historical/architectural interest remains. Renamed by new leaseholder Renaissance Pubs, after comprehensive refurbishment in November 2008 into attractive gastropub, retaining traditional bar with front lounge but transforming rear sports bar into sumptuous restaurant area. Meals served 12.00 - 15.30, 18.00 - 22.30 Mon - Fri; 12.00 - 16.00, 18.00 - 22.30 Sat; 12.00 - 21.00 Sun. Children under 16 welcome until 20.00. Pavement seating. Formerly the George.
LU(Clapham South)
DF FA GD ML ME RS
BALHAM TUP
21 Chestnut Grove
SW12 8JB
Tel: 020-8776 0546 website: www.inventiveoperations.com
15.00 - 23.00 Mon - Thu, 15.00 - 00.00 Fri, 12.00 - 01.00 Sat, 12.00 - 23.00 Sun
Inventive Operations
Greene King IPA; Wells Bombardier
Formerly Clouseaus (1996-1999) and originally the Balham Hotel. A vast sports bar with big screen TV at each end. Small fenced patio off the road. Meals 18.00 - 22.00 on weekdays and 12.00 - 22.00 at weekends. Strictly over 18s only.
NR/LU
DF GD SN ME
BBC BAR RESTAURANT
7-9 Ramsden Rd
SW12 8QX
Tel: 020-8673 4700 website: www.antic-ltd.com
16.00 - 23.00 Tue - Thu, 16.00 - 00.00 Fri, 12.00 - 00.00 Sat, 12.00 - 23.00 Sun
Antic
Taylor Landlord
Three cosy, wood panelled downstairs rooms around former bar of Balham Club (incorporating Balham Bowls Club - hence BBC), opened c. July 2006. Dinners served Wed - Sat from 19.00, Sunday lunches from 13.00.
ME
BEDFORD
77 Bedford Hill
SW12 9HD
Tel: 020-8682 8940 website: www.thebedford.co.uk
11.00 - 00.00 Mon - Thu, 11.00 - 02.00 Fri & Sat, 12.00 - 22.30 Sun
Enterprise (Onifas)
Fuller’s London Pride; Sambrook’s Wandle; Westerham Summer Perle; Wychwood Hobgoblin
A thriving community boozer with added attractions. Early Victorian house now comprising the main saloon, a separate 1950s style public bar and two function rooms. Live music Mon - Thu, comedy Fri - Sat and jazz Sun. Nightclub until 02.00 at weekends. Big screen sports. Food 12.00 - 14.45 and 19.00 - 22.00 in the week, 12.00 - 15.30 and 19.00 - 21.00 Sat, and 12.00 - 17.00 and 19.00 - 21.45 Sun.
NR/LU
DF SN ML ME FR PB
BLITHE SPIRIT
157 Balham High Road
SW12 9AU
Tel: 020-8772 0082 website: marstonsinnsandtaverns
11.00 - 23.00 Mon - Thu, 11.00 - 01.00 Fri, 10.00 - 01.00 Sat, 10.00 - 23.00 Sun
Wolverhampton & Dudley (Pathfinder)
Marston Pedigree
1997 shop conversion opened as the Eclipse by Regent Inns, acquired by Wizard Inns and changing its name in 2003. A tasteful, comfortably furnished, upbeat pub with drinking areas on different levels in front of, opposite and behind the bar and upstairs and downstairs patios at the back. Meals 12.00 - 22.00 weekdays and 10.00 - 22.00 weekends.
NR/LU
GD ML ME
CLARENCE
90-92 Balham High Road
SW12 9AA
Free
Adnams Explorer, Broadside
This pub was converted from a shop to one failed wine bar, then another, before becoming the Dragons Puzzle (1994) and then just the Puzzle (1997). Taken over by Capital Pub Co in 2004, it was transformed into the Balham Arms, with attractive dining areas alongside a traditional long bar and a lounge at the back. Leaseholder since February 2006, Scott Collins is a beer enthusiast with two other pubs: the Bishop, East Dulwich and the Castle, Camberwell. Keg beers include Meantime (Kolsch and Raspberry), Erdinger and Maredsous.
NR/LU
FA SN ML ME
DEVONSHIRE
39 Balham High Road
SW12 9AN
Tel: 020-8673 1363 website: thedevonshirebalham.co.uk
12.00 - 00.00 Sun - Thu, 12.00 - 00.00 Fri & Sat
Young
Young’s Bitter, Special, Waggledance, Seasonal Beer - RAiB: Special London Ale
Large, cavernous Victorian corner house retaining high ceilings and some original mirrors. Refurbished as more of a gastropub and renamed from Duke of Devonshire early in 2008. Split level seating areas behind the central bar with a large garden open in the summer. Meals 12.00 - 22.00 Mon - Sat and 12.00 - 21.00 Sun.
NR/LU
GD SN ML ME PG RI
EXHIBIT
12 Balham Station Road
SW12 9SG
Tel: 020 8772 6556 website: www.theexhibit.co.uk
Free
No real ale
GROVE
39 Oldridge Road
SW12 8PN
Tel: 020-8673 6531 website: youngs.co.uk
11.00 - 00.00 every day
Young
Young’s Bitter, Special, Seasonal Beer - RAiB: Kew Gold, Special London Ale
Large Victorian corner pub retaining separate drinking areas despite the complete refurbishment that sadly saw a popular public bar knocked through. Clean, tasteful, relaxed and quiet, a stylish but not trendy pub for everyone including families and especially diners. Restaurant meals all day until 22.30. Board games but no darts, fortnightly Sunday quiz. Pavement seating.
NR/LU
FA SN ML ME QP
HARRISON’S
15-19 Bedford Hill
SW12 9EX
Free
No real ale
Formerly BALHAM KITCHEN & BAR. Owned by Sam Harrison, of Sam’s Brasserie & Bar Chiswick.
JACKDAW & ROOK
96-100 Balham High Road
SW12 9AA
Tel: 020-8772 9021 website: fullers.co.uk
12.00 - 23.30 Mon - Thu, 12.00 - 01.00 Fri & Sat, 11.00 - 23.00 Sun
Fuller
Fuller’s London Pride
Formerly a furniture store, opened by Fuller’s as Bar Interlude in 1999, renamed in 2002. Very much a "boys" club’. Over 18s only, with music, pool competitions and televised football. Hosted World Table Football Championships in February 2005. Meals until 21.00 every day; bar snacks till 23.00 Fri & Sat.
NR/LU
DF SN ML ME PG
LOUNGE
76 Bedford Hill
SW12 9HR
Tel: 020 8673 8781 website: www.thebalhamlounge.co.uk
Free
No real ale
Tapas bar
MOON UNDER WATER
194 Balham High Road
SW12 9BP
Tel: 020-8673 0535 website: jdwetherspoon.co.uk
09.00 - 00.00 every day
Wetherspoon
Courage Best Bitter; Greene King Abbot; Marston Pedigree; Shepherd Neame Spitfire; guest beers; Weston Old Rosie Scrumpy
Tasteful wood-panelled 1993 shop conversion, close to Balham station, offering four rotating guest beers besides the permanent range. A lively pub for everyone to eat, drink, talk or watch televised football etc. Food served until after 21.00. Good value menu including curry night offers.
NR/LU
DF SN ML ME
NIGHTINGALE
97 Nightingale Lane
SW12 8NX
Tel: 020-8673 1637 website: youngs.co.uk
11.00 - 23.00 Mon - Sat, 12.00 - 22.30 Sun
Young
Young’s Bitter, Special, Seasonal Beer - RAiB: Kew Gold, Special London Ale
This pub has been a focus for the local community since early Victorian times and is nowadays renowned for its annual walk for local charities and Guide Dogs for the Blind. The conservatory is child-friendly and the back garden is a real suntrap in summer. Food served from noon to 22.00 daily. Always a mixed clientele but moving gradually more upmarket. Worth going out of your way to find. The G1 bus travels Nightingale Lane.
NR(Wandsworth Common)
DF FA GD SN ML ME QP
PRINCE OF WALES
270 Cavendish Road
SW12 0BT
Enterprise (Ascot Inns)
No real ale
This pub is 70 metres down Balham New Road from the Devonshire
This guide is published by the South West London Branch of CAMRA and copyright and all other rights are reserved to the Campaign for Real Ale Ltd (2006-2009). No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form, by any means - electronic, photocopying, recording or otherwise - without the prior permission of the Campaign for Real Ale Ltd.
