More Than a Clapham Junction Taxi

If you’re looking for somewhere lively to sink a fabulous cocktail in the Battersea, Clapham area look no further than Lavender Hill’s Bar Social. Set over three floors (sounds bigger than it is), this fun and vibrant bar is the ideal tonic to all those places that just take themselves a little bit too seriously. And while the decor can generously be described as muddled, it says nothing of the high quality drinks these guys bang out on a nightly basis. Indulge your more shameless side in here and throw off the shackles of swanky speakeasies and family oriented gastropubs. This place is all about the party.

245 Lavender Hill, London SW11 1JW
www.barsocial.co.uk/

From denouncing the modern London speakeasy to championing it without so much as a flick of the wrist. We’re a fickle bunch really. Hidden away behind one of the walls of the excellent Breakfast Club is a bar with a difference. Slip in through the secret, sliding wall in the ‘launderette’ and you’ll find yourself transported into a super kitsch ‘70s style bar with a bit of a Mad Men vibe about it. To offset that feel, the bartenders all come dressed up to the tiki nines. Expect amazing cocktails and some next level bar snacks to help it all slip down.

5-9 Battersea Rise, London SW11 1HG
www.thekingofladiesman.com

Very much on the Clapham side of things here, The Falcon is one of those pubs you drive past and always think to yourself you must pay a visit to. Sometimes these mentally annotated drinking houses flatter to impress and fall short once you get inside. The Falcon is not one of those pubs. Its warm yellow exterior and terraced garden are every bit the inviting tease to what turns out to be a top notch boozer. Rustic but clean; cosy but spacious. This is a pub that scratches all of your south London drinking itches and more. It also serves up some excellent fodder to keep you on premises long after the cask ales have taken hold.

33 Bedford Rd, Clapham, SW4 7SQ
www.thefalconclapham.co.uk/

Technically a wine bar but it serves such excellent food pairings, we thought it deserved a shout anyway. Slink into the Humble Grape’s basement canteen and you’ll feel as though you’ve been transported to the bodegas of southern Spain. Its cool stone and oak interior is about as inviting a place as you’ll find in Battersea, and you can expect to be greeted in with matching fervour. The wine list is exceptional but what really makes this place stand out for us is the great choice of grazing boards to go with them. Choose from sandwiches to a rich tapestry of cheese and meats. You won’t be disappointed.

2 Battersea Rise, SW11 1ED
www.humblegrape.co.uk/wine-bar-battersea

Champions of Gastronhome will vehemently reassure you this little boutique bistro is undoubtedly one of the best French restaurants in all of south London. And once you’ve eaten here it’s not hard to see why. Snug, cosy, inviting. All words usually abused by letting agents to describe somewhere that’s just too small. These all apply to this restaurant in a totally legit way. Run by some very enthusiastic and talented Frenchmen, Gastronhome takes itself very seriously. Producing food that will always excite and entice, even if it doesn’t leave you feeling completely full.

59 Lavender Hill, London SW11 5QN
gastronhome.co.uk/

For a French restaurant serving up more traditional Gallic fare (think Moules Marinieres or Steak Frites), try the always awesome Gazette. Serving as a wonderful tonic to the mimicry of larger chain restaurants, this is a place that’s determined to drag the idea of a French Bistro back into everyone’s good books. When it comes to great food, these guys let the flavours do the talking. And they’re not afraid to try some crowd pleasers either – check out their ‘full French’ breakfast for a great alternative to your local greasy spoon. The decor varies a little from floor to floor but you’ll always feel welcome, no matter where you’re seated.

79 Sherwood Court, Chatfield Road, SW11 3UY
gazettebrasserie.co.uk/battersea/

One thing south London does seem to still have a lot of his excellent independent cinemas. Intimate, personal and ultimately alluring, this is a cinema which celebrates the art and craft of every film it shows. Which is not to say it only screens art house cinema either. No, they celebrate the merits of the blockbuster just as much as the work of the obscure auteur. It’s got a great little bar in it and if you’re feeling peckish after the movie there are several terrific little restaurants nearby.

76 Venn St, SW4 0AT
www.picturehouses.com/cinema/Clapham_Picturehouse

Skirting alongside the river Thames between Battersea Bridge and Chelsea Bridge is Battersea Park. Once just a soggy marshland, the 200 acre area was reclaimed from the jaws of the Thames to create an idyllic little retreat on just this side of the river. A popular spot with runners, cyclists and yoga enthusiasts, the park is an ideal retreat for a gentle stroll on a summer’s day. At its centre you’ll even find a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it children’s petting zoo. Boasting a fine selection of mammals, birds and reptiles. Which may seem a touch out of place until you realise you’re but a stone’s throw away from the famous Battersea dog’s home.

SW11 4NJ
batterseapark.org/

South London is possessed of many cultural hubs and homes. From theatres to dance halls, the energy of the capital’s southside has always been sourced from its hugely talented and dynamic creative pool. One place those artists choose to commune is the excellent Battersea Arts Centre. Serving primarily as a theatre but also as a great place for dance, art and music to come and flourish, the centre is always alive with creativity. Check their website to see what’s on right now.

Lavender Hill, London SW11 5TN
www.bac.org.uk/