Guide to the best pubs in Clapham

The Windmill Pub is an elegant, recently refurbished establishment on Clapham Common that boasts the full array of hospitality services, from food and drinks to accommodation and entertainment. The wining and dining at this dog-friendly pub with a lovely terrace encompasses light breakfast and lunch fare, packed burgers, hefty slabs of meat and other pub classics. Choose from fine wines, expertly crafted cocktails, traditionally brewed beers and more to go along, then retire to one of country-style rooms.

The bright, elegant Stonhouse boasts a verdant, country-style garden just off of Clapham's bustling High Street. The gastropub serves far-reaching international cuisine alongside pub classics such as fish 'n' chips, with drinks ranging from fine wines and freshly poured pints to signature cocktails. Thanks to its welcoming charm and convenient location, the spacious establishment is a popular choice for parties, events and other large gatherings.

Boasting no fewer than twenty taps, serving up tasty Mexican grub and regularly hosting pub quizzes and live music, Clapham's Old Town Tavern has all the makings of a proper local. Bringing to mind a saloon with its wood-and-brick walls, the pub offers a broad range of beers, from microbrews and special collabs to classic ales. Depending on which day you stop by, you can take advantage of the different food and drinks offers as well.

Located near Clapham North station, this traditional pub boasts a massive garden that shoots it to the top of any pub best-of list when summer rolls around. It has plenty to offer in colder months as well, however, starting with a welcoming atmosphere and a broad range of drinks, continuing with juicy burgers and stacked flatbreads out of the kitchen, and topping it all off with different events. The Landor also shows live sports both inside and in the garden, and your pooch is welcome to tag along.

Behind its classic pub façade, The Bobbin conceals a light blue interior with white tiling behind an old-fashioned bar, the whole setting recalling summer holidays in Greece or Italy. The quaint garden, bright conservatory and daily changing menu of Italian delicacies such as burrata, pasta and grilled Tuscan sausages add to the atmosphere, but traditionalists need not fear – there's more than enough familiar pub cosiness to the place.

The oldest pub in Clapham, the refurbished Rose & Crown is a beautiful establishment with a deep-red façade and a walnut-panelled interior with a marbled fireplace. Just off of Clapham Common, it offers refined pub hospitality, with a seasonal British menu served in an elegant dining room above the main pub. Signature dishes include burrata with British pea puree or cardamom & date sticky toffee pudding. Real ales, fine wines and other drinks are poured in the main pub on the ground floor, with an outdoor terrace for soaking up the rays available as well.

Located next to Clapham Junction, Four Thieves is more than your average pub. Arcade and VR games and the thrilling moonshine railway are among the many activities you can enjoy with a drink in the pub's neon-lit interior. Karaoke and comedy nights are hosted as well, all accompanied by pizza, Sunday roasts, Mediterranean-inspired dishes, and a full range of drinks at the bar.

The welcoming Abbeville features cosy corners to nestle in, as well as outdoor seating for warm weather. The relaxed and friendly place serves a full range of drinks at the bar, complementing the varied choice of menus that are available. Expect pub classics such as steak sandwiches, fish 'n' chips and burgers, with weekend brunch and a kids' menu available as well. On Sundays, you can choose from among four roasts plus other mains.

The Saxon was reborn in 2021 following extensive renovation. Spanning four floors right on Clapham High Street, the elegant pub features one of only a handful of rooftop terraces in the area. The beautiful interior is nothing to sneeze at, either, as its full of snug corners to cosy up in, private areas for hire, and more. DJs fire up the dancefloor every week, and an assortment of Med-inspired dishes helps keep your energy up. On Saturdays, they also serve brunch, while their Sunday roasts are fast becoming legendary.

Letting you soak up its namesake in a splendid beer garden, The Sun nonetheless shines regardless of the weather, thanks to its cosy interior and heated terrace. The full range of drinks includes premium draught lagers, fine wines and artisan spirits, with the pub's annual craft beer residency showcasing interesting brews and limited editions by talented breweries The menu includes pub classics as well as seasonal daily specials. The Sun regularly hosts live music, pub quizzes and other events.

A traditional spot for catching the match with a freshly poured pint in hand, The Alexandra in Clapham has been around for more than 150 years. If the two projector screens and five HD TVs aren't showing anything to your liking, you can book an oche and throw down, test your knowledge in the pub quiz, treat yourself to one of the pizzas or just hang out and enjoy the lively pub atmosphere.

The Railway Tavern is a lively pub on Clapham High Street, popular among the neighbourhood's music lovers. Known for its upbeat ambiance and traditional hospitality, the pub features local artwork on its walls, statement lighting, and wrap-around windows and outdoor benches that are perfect for people-watching with a freshly poured pint in hand. Tasty pub grub is served as well, and The Railway Tavern also hosts a variety of events such as pub quizzes and comedy nights.

A contemporary local pub in Clapham, The Perky Nel features a smart interior with exposed brickwork, large screens for catching up on all the sports, and an outdoor area boasting views of Clapham Common. The Perky Nel serves the full range of drinks as well as classic British food, with bottomless brunch and kids' menus also available. Large groups are well taken care of as well.

On account of its rotating line-up of kitchen residencies, The King & Co boasts an always exciting culinary offer. That's not all that this independent pub near Clapham Common provides, however, as it features a cosy contemporary setting, no fewer than 18 keg and six cask lines at the bar, friendly service and all sorts of events such, from DJ nights and live acoustic sessions to pub quizzes and more. 

The Apollo Arms, located in Clapham Old Town, is a gastropub that can accommodate up to 100 guests inside and 70 guests in the outdoor garden terrace. The pub is divided into different sections, such as a dining room, bar, snug, and games room with TV screens, and serves an extensive selection of wine, beer, spirits, and contemporary cocktails every day. The dining room offers a daily-changing menu of high-quality modern gastropub dishes, including signature plates and seasonal summer specials.