Long day, or day simply not long enough? Battersea is buzzing with lively bars that cater to every occasion, whether it’s a quiet after-work sundowner, or that well-needed big night out.
Guide to Top 8 Bars in Battersea
South of the River Thames lies a historic London district that is changing rapidly every year – Battersea. Rich with an industrial heritage that spans back centuries, this vibrant neighbourhood is home to plenty of excellent bars, pubs and clubs, fit for any and all occasions. Compared with other popular drinking spots in London, nightlife in Battersea is laid-back, hip, and above all, warm and welcoming. From craft beer taps to historic traditional pubs, here are the best spots to grab a drink in Battersea.
Control Room B
The name of this quirky bar would be quite odd if you didn’t know that Battersea Power Station was a functioning power station until the 1980s, providing more than a fifth of London with electricity. Today, the engineers in Control Room B have been replaced with expert mixologists who distribute a different sort of energy: good vibes, scrumptious snacks and excellent drinks. Cocktails at this Battersea bar are truly original: try the rum and egg white ‘66 Volts’, or the Hennessey and cherry ‘Live Wire’ for a sweet kick. This all-day bar delivers some classy modern bar nibbles such as cheese, charcuterie meats and focaccia rolls.
Aspen & Meursault
Few Battersea bars bring an experience as elegant and evocative as Aspen & Meursault. In the morning, this yellow, leafy space is a café, but later in the day it transforms into a buzzy little wine bar. Aspen serves wonderful ‘low intervention’ wines (i.e. natural wines that are fermented without additives), alongside a tasteful food menu of locally sourced dishes like truffled eggs, cucumber cured salmon and hand-piped sweet cannoli. Most wines can be purchased by the glass, and you can buy a bottle to take home, if the grape really leaves an impression. This Battersea bar has the fancy feeling of a spot in Chelsea, but it’s definitely more gentle on the wallet. On weekends, Aspen serves fresh oysters for just £2 each before 4pm, and the take-out wine is sold at a reduced retail price.
Duke of Cambridge
There’s no better place for a casual drink in Battersea than the Duke of Cambridge. Established in 1890, this historic pub has been a busy watering hole since the days of horse-drawn carriages, and it’s still a local favourite. Here you can find classic cocktails, familiar beers and a large selection of wine that caters to every palate. The Sunday roasts served at the Duke of Cambridge are some of the best in Battersea, finished with creamed leeks, beef dripping roasties and maple glazed carrots. This traditional pub is perfect for any occasion, whether it’s after work drinks, a birthday, or to watch that rugby game you’ve been patiently anticipating.
Mondo Tap
For some, a pint of Stella or Heinekien simply doesn’t cut it anymore. If quality craft beer is what you look for in a bar, look no further than Mondo Tap in Battersea. Here you will find 15 different beers on tap with plenty more in the fridge, including barrel-aged imperial stout, IPAs, pale ales and lager. A local hotspot, Mondo often hosts events such as jazz nights, pop-up food trucks, and quiz nights. Beers served at this Battersea bar are brewed on-site, so every pint really is as fresh as it gets. The monthly rotating product calendar is also varied enough to keep even the most hard-to-impress beer enthusiasts coming back time and time again.
Humble Grape
Biodynamic wine, four-legged friends and laid-back industrial ambience – this wine bar and shop embodies the spirit of modern Battersea like no other. Humble Grape stocks more than 400 different wines sourced from boutique wineries around the world, so it’s a must visit for wine lovers and the wine curious. There’s something on every day of the week at Humble Grape, from casual Tasting Tuesdays to Iconic Fridays, which is when the fancy wines that are usually sold by the bottle are sold by the glass (a perfect treat for those who know their Syrah from Grenache). This Battersea bar also serves a spectacular roast on Sundays, which comes with a complimentary bottle of wine for groups of more than 4.
Bounce
Ping pong, cocktails and sourdough pizzas – what’s not to love? Located in Battersea Power Station, Bounce is the perfect spot to blow off some steam and indulge in some let-your-hair-down fun. Perfect for a unique date night, a birthday or even a work event, Bounce has an eclectic range of cocktails, such as the gin and lychee ‘Curveball’, or the Jack Daniels and ice cream ‘Forrest Gump’. This venue regularly hosts events such as 90s themed bottomless brunches, cocktail masterclasses and sporting events that cover most major league games.
This Battersea bar is one of three Bounce venues in London. Ping pong enthusiasts will be interested to know that the first venue in Farringdon is located on the exact site that John Jacques II first created and patented the game in 1901.
Northcote Records
Few things pair as well as a cold beer and live music. If you’re looking for a spot that’s casual yet teeming with atmosphere and noise, Northcote Records in Battersea is the spot. This local venue has live music six nights a week and a generous buy-one-get-one happy hour cocktail deal on weekdays from 5-8pm, making that after-work tipple ever so tempting. In terms of live music, there’s a diverse roster of performances from local artists and DJs, from acoustic folk singers to floor-filling old school RnB sets. In the summertime, Northcote’s heated outdoor seating area is packed with people of all ages and backgrounds, making this venue a real melting point of Battersea culture. Oh, and did we mention pizza?
Lost Society
Lost Society in Battersea is a sensory delight adorned with a glittering disco ball, excessively vibrant colours, and picture-worthy craft cocktails. This art-deco themed bar is one of the best spots in the district to sink into a drink, soak up the atmosphere, and simply dance. One of the best nights in Lost Society is a Sunday, which is Brazilian night. Here you can samba the night away to live bands playing everything from bossa nova to Brazilian jazz.
To refuel after hitting the dance floor, Lost Society serves up a wonderful menu with authentic comidas such as cheesy bolinhas de queijos, coxinhas and picanha acebolada. For a more casual and laid-back experience, you can enjoy the Aperitivo Thursday night-long ‘happy hour’, which comes with three small plates and a selection of cocktails. It’s easy to see why this newly-renovated Battersea bar describes itself as the “crown” of South West London’s cocktail and dancing scene.
Final Take
In Battersea, there’s a bar for every mood and occasion, and you can approach many venues far more casually than in the more upscale parts of the city like Mayfair or Soho. Whether you want to samba on Sundays at Lost Society, or whisk your partner away on a laughter-filled date night at Bounce, there’s enough in this London district to keep you entertained well into the night.
