Once thought of mainly as a stop on the Northern Line, Clapham has seen a rise in popularity over the past two decades. Its mix of green spaces, transport links, and a steady flow of young professionals has turned the area into one of South London’s most sought-after neighbourhoods. With this growth has come a lively bar and pub scene, ranging from long-established Victorian houses to modern, sustainability-driven ventures.
Within Clapham, visitors can find a traditional corner pub that still feels like a local spot, a gastro-pub serving seasonal dishes, or a venue to spend all night over craft beers and games. Whether you’re stepping off the Common after a walk, meeting friends for sport on the big screens, or planning a proper Sunday roast, there is no shortage of choice. Here are five of the best pubs in Clapham – places that not only pour a good pint, but also reflect how the area’s drinking culture has kept pace with its growing reputation.
The Windmill
On the southern edge of Clapham Common, The Windmill occupies a large corner site with clear views of the green, and is a short walk from both Clapham Common and Clapham South stations. From the outside, the building makes an impression with its tall, classic Victorian pub frontage and large windows. Step inside and the scale continues. The pub is spacious, with high ceilings and a layout that blends open-plan areas with smaller corners for more privacy. The décor is keeping in with the Young’s pub chain house style with polished wood floors, wooden tables, leather seating, and lighting to add warmth. Outside, there is space for drinking and dining when the weather allows, with tables positioned to make the most of the Common-facing aspect.
The Windmill offers many food options. The Sunday roast is served with meats from The Ginger Pig, crisp potatoes, oversized Yorkshire puddings, and deeply flavoured gravies. The main menu features premium steaks alongside indulgent puddings, whilst the on-site Burger Shack caters to those seeking something more casual. Part of what makes The Windmill feel approachable is its atmosphere of genuine hospitality. Landlord Ben sets the tone, and his pub dog Monty has become something of a mascot. Their presence underlines the pub’s dog-friendly credentials, with water bowls and treats kept on hand, and plenty of four-legged visitors stop by after a walk across the Common.
The Northcote
Located at the busy crossroads of Northcote Road and Battersea Rise, just minutes from Clapham Junction, The Northcote has long been a local landmark and was given a new lease of life post-refurbishment in 2018. The pub shed much of its older “brown bar” feel and now combines dark wood panelling with a more open plan urban gastro-pub layout. The redesign introduced proper dining tables, providing a more hospitable space for dinner guests, not just drinkers, and there is a private room upstairs, which is often hired for dinners or events.
The food menu is solid. Think pub classics, sharing plates, and indulgent comfort food, with locals praising the smoked mackerel salad, glazed ham-hock pie, and burrata starter. Their Tipsy Toasties provide late night visitors with a light supper, and the drinks list is equally broad, covering cask ales, cocktails, and a well-chosen wine selection. Live sport, especially rugby, can be enjoyed in good company, however it remains perfectly suited to a quieter lunch or a relaxed evening with friends. For those seeking a dependable, well-kept pub in the heart of Battersea and Clapham Junction, The Northcote remains a strong choice.
Old Town Tavern
The Old Town Tavern sits in the heart of Clapham’s Old Town on 29 North Street. Initially opened in the 1880s as The North Pole pub, the establishment now trades with a straightforward focus: quality beer, well-made burgers, and a friendly local feel. The main bar area is relaxed, however downstairs, a basement games room and event space extend the night with a pool table, smart darts, foosball, and retro arcade machines included.
The bar runs twenty taps with a rotating mix of local microbrews, innovative collaborations, and a few familiar classics. For those not drinking beer, the back bar covers wines, spirits, and made-to-order cocktails. Food comes via Marlowe’s Burgers with a menu that follows the Old Town Tavern’s motto, with grass-fed beef burgers arriving from the local butchers, sides and add-ons, and vegetarian and vegan options in the mix. In short, Old Town Tavern stands proudly as a reborn local. It is contemporary in its mix of beer and entertainment, but with all of the basics that make a great neighbourhood pub work.
The Pigs Head
Found within Rectory Grove in Clapham Old Town, The Pig’s Head has quickly established itself as one of South London’s most eco-friendly pubs. Billing itself as an independent, farm-to-fork, nose-to-tail, root-to-shoot operation, this is a pub that has placed sustainability at its core. Certified carbon neutral in 2023 and named Best Sustainable Pub in the 2024 Great British Pub Awards, The Pig’s Head shows how thoughtful practices can be paired with great hospitality. From the outside, a red and white striped awning shades outdoor seating in front of the pub, bringing a hint of café and terrace character to the three-storey frontage.
The food menu changes daily to reflect seasonal availability and works closely with regenerative farms. Meat is often butchered on-site, whilst vegetarian and vegan dishes are given equal care. On Tuesdays, the pub hosts its popular Pie Night, and occasional Farm to Fork dinners showcase local suppliers directly. To drink, guests can expect a selection of wines, including a bespoke house blend made in partnership with Sandridge Barton vineyard, as well as cocktails, spirits, and local beers. For locals and first time visitors alike, The Pig’s Head is more than a pub. It is a statement of how sustainability, quality, and community can come together, making it one of Clapham’s much-loved drinking destinations.
The Alexandra
Located on Clapham Common South Side, The Alexandra has served Clapham commoners for over 150 years. It was originally built in 1863 by Edward l’Anson as a hotel, and was converted into a public house when the flanking wings became separate buildings in 1876. Today, The Alexandra continues to embrace its heritage without feeling dated, with ample seating and a lively bar area. It provides live sport with football and rugby on screens, runs a Darts Club, and also offers an event space and function room, including interactive dartboards, making it a flexible space for social or corporate gatherings.
The menu features a selection of craft beers, classic cocktails and pub favourites, and the food menu is kept simple, focusing solely on freshly made pizzas. The line-up includes pizza with Oyster mushrooms, cep, ricotta, rocket, truffle oil, lemon, or the pizza verde with cheese, spinach, artichoke, green olives, pine nuts, basil as a vegan option. The Alexandra appeals to groups, regulars, diners, and drinkers alike. Its long history adds weight, but with sports, event spaces and good food and drink, it presents itself well as a pub for today.
Clapham’s pub scene reflects the neighbourhood’s mix of tradition, reinvention, and character. Whether it’s The Pig’s Head’s sustainable ethos, or The Alexandra’s long history at the heart of the community, together, they show why Clapham has become one of South London’s most popular destinations – not just for residents, but for anyone in search of a good pint, a warm atmosphere, and a spot worth settling into.
