A cocktail garnished with lime and mint on a bar A cocktail garnished with lime and mint on a bar

Guide to the best bars in Clapham

The bar scene in Clapham is centred mainly around the High Street, with an array of local and city-wide favourites pouring the drinks and pumping out the tunes. There's more to enjoying a drink or two in this South London area, however. Read our guide to the best bars in Clapham to discover your new favourite drinking den in the area, regardless of whether you're looking for a quiet glass of wine or a rambunctious night of revelry.

Daniel Sheppard, Content Writer UK, Thatsup Daniel Sheppard, Content Writer UK, Thatsup
Daniel Sheppard
  1. The best bars in Clapham
    1. 1
      Aquum The big dog
    2. 2
      The Little Orange Door Party at your mate's house
    3. 3
      Sugar Cane Bar Tiki time
    4. 4
      Venn Street Records The home of live music
    5. 5
      Soul Lounge Soul vibes
    6. 6
      D Vine Cellars A fine wine bar
    7. 7
      The Cocktail Club Lights, camera, action!
    8. 8
      No 32 The Old Town Laidback drinks with a view
    9. 9
      WC Wine & Charcuterie Toilet wine
    10. 10
      Sixty/Four 2-for-1 cocktail happy hour
    11. 11
      Tonight Josephine Pink party palace
    12. 12
      Bubba Oasis Multi-purpose all-day venue
    13. 13
      Botanica Hall A fun place by day and night
    14. 14
      Blame Gloria Riotous and colourful
    15. 15
      Tropix Latin American-inspired
    16. 16
      The Bridge Lively LGBTQ+ bar
    17. 17
      Havana Coco Inspired by Cuba

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The best bars in Clapham

Aquum

The big dog

Aquum is the largest bar and club on the high street, spread out over four floors. You'll find a variety of things to keep you busy here, including a free-to-use ball pit and a rooftop shisha garden. The multifaceted venue serves global comfort food along with cocktails and other drinks. DJs man the decks late into the night, then chase your hangover away the next day with a bottomless brunch.

The Little Orange Door

Party at your mate's house

Taking the Little Door house party concept and plonking it next to Clapham Common, The Little Orange Door has a rustic, charming Mediterranean feel to it, complete with lush outdoor seating and a lively disco interior. In the unpretentious apartment-style rooms, you can enjoy drinks, food and music, without having to do any of the cleaning that inevitably follows a proper house bash. 

Sugar Cane Bar

Tiki time

Styling itself as a tropical paradise, Sugar Cane is decked out in South Pacific decor and has indoor and outdoor party areas including private tiki huts and a pirate cave. You can order fruity cocktails as well as wines, beers, and spirits. There's plenty to eat as well, with the kitchen preparing tapas-style plates, sharing platters, burgers, and classic bar food. On Saturdays you can indulge in bottomless brunch.

Venn Street Records – Bars in Clapham
Venn Street Records
Venn Street Records – Bars in Clapham
Venn Street Records
Venn Street Records – Bars in Clapham
Venn Street Records
Venn Street Records – Bars in Clapham
Venn Street Records
Venn Street Records – Bars in Clapham
Venn Street Records
Venn Street Records – Bars in Clapham
Venn Street Records
Venn Street Records – Bars in Clapham
Venn Street Records
Venn Street Records – Bars in Clapham
Venn Street Records
Venn Street Records – Bars in Clapham
Venn Street Records
Venn Street Records – Bars in Clapham
Venn Street Records
Venn Street Records – Bars in Clapham
Venn Street Records
Venn Street Records – Bars in Clapham
Venn Street Records
Venn Street Records – Bars in Clapham
Venn Street Records

Venn Street Records

The home of live music

The hip Venn Street Records makes its affinity for good tunes clear, with walls covered in old music magazines and vinyl stacked behind the bar. The happening hotspot has dim lighting, neon signage, and leather seats, hosting upcoming local music talent regularly. Sip on one of the house cocktails and nibble on pizza on the outside terrace; there's a daily happy hour to keep costs manageable.

Soul Lounge

Soul vibes

Soundtracking your night with neo soul, jazz and 1990s RnB tunes, Soul Lounge is a lively setting for get-togethers and late-night parties. The bar specialises in handcrafted cocktails, whilst the kitchen serves Mediterranean and Asian fusion food. Bottomless brunch is available, with bottle show service and other entertainment provided too. With different party packages to choose from, Soul Lounge is ideal for celebrations.

D Vine Cellars

A fine wine bar

Behind D Vine Cellars' green exterior, you'll find a wine bar and shop with tall shelves stacked with sustainably-sourced wines from all over the world. The wine list includes classic varieties and unique natural wines, accompanied by tempting deli items. D Vine Cellars hosts events, for example themed tastings and masterclasses, but you're welcome to stop by just for a drink.

The Cocktail Club

Lights, camera, action!

The Clapham branch of The Cocktail Club chain goes blockbuster big with booths themed after some of history's biggest films like Titanic and Star Wars. In an unrestrained, fun atmosphere, you can go wild with late-night partying fuelled by cocktails - you can even mix your drink online and pick it up when you get there. Bottomless brunch, daily happy hours, and masterclasses are available as well.

No 32 The Old Town

Laidback drinks with a view

Looking out over Clapham Common from its rooftop terrace, No 32 The Old Town is a relaxed, sustainability-minded bar and restaurant. The kitchen puts wonky vegetables to use in classic British pub food, with the all-day menu including breakfast options like fry-ups and mains such as burgers and salads. Bespoke playlists soundtrack the space and provide a relaxing ambience.

WC Wine & Charcuterie

Toilet wine

Taking up residence in a Victorian water closet beneath Clapham Common Station that dates back to the 19th century, the WC Wine & Charcuterie bar offer a concise, well-rounded wine list, small plates and sharing boards, and a quirky setting. Many of the original marble tiles and fittings have been preserved or repurposed, providing the cosy subterranean den with a charmingly vintage atmosphere.

Sixty/Four

2-for-1 cocktail happy hour

A boozy neighbourhood retreat in Clapham's High Street, Sixty/Four doubles up on cocktails during lengthy happy-hours. Try a selection of unique mixes such as the Jackie Ho, made with Jack Daniels Honey, amaretto, orange juice, lemon juice and gingerbread syrup, or stick to a pint of Camden Hells. With the help of a rotating line-up of house DJs, the party goes late.

Tonight Josephine

Pink party palace

This extremely, completely, totally pink bar is part of the sassy Tonight Josephine group that makes cocktails, neon lights, hit tunes, and party abandon its forte. Keep an eye on the events programme, as there's usually some kind of deal going on, for example 2-for-1 cocktail happy hours or Britney Spears-themed bottomless brunches. If you want to dance the night away in a youthful atmosphere, this is the place.

Bubba Oasis

Multi-purpose all-day venue

Bubba Oasis is a vibrant hub with lots going on. Take advantage of the co-working space by day and enjoy food at any time, including a brunch menu. Later on, there are cocktails and live music is on regularly to keep the vibe going. The venue also shows work by local artists and has private space available.

Botanica Hall

A fun place by day and night

Botanica Hall is a pizza restaurant and cocktail bar that stays open late at weekends. This vibrant and lively spot also hosts cocktail masterclasses and has its own distillery. Work here and enjoy food by day or enjoy drinks and great vibes later on. This grand venue is based in a Grade II-listed building.

Blame Gloria

Riotous and colourful

Clapham Junction is home to Blame Gloria, a lively bar that's a big hit for bottomless brunch as well as for riotous nights out. Inspired by the 1980s, the space is packed with bold colours and eye-popping eclectic style. Whatever time you visit, you're promised a memorable and fully immersive experience.

Tropix

Latin American-inspired

Tropix is a lively party spot in Clapham that stays open late. This energetic venue serves South American cuisine and bottomless brunch every day, plus it's a great venue for a night out. This place celebrates Caribbean and Latin American culture with a reggaeton and Latin soundtrack and bustling crowds.

The Bridge

Lively LGBTQ+ bar

Set into a railway arch, The Bridge is a vibrant and colourful LGBTQ+ cocktail bar with indoor and outdoor seating. This spot has regular happy hours and special offers on drinks, plus there's entertainment six days a week. Have a drink here and enjoy cabaret, comedy, drag shows, bingo, or karaoke.

Havana Coco

Inspired by Cuba

Have a tropical cocktail in luxe and sophisticated surroundings at Havana Coco. This Latin American-inspired bar has evocative interiors as well as outside tables. The drinks list features original tropical mixes as well as Latin favourites like a caipirinha and a pineapple daiquiri. You can also try snacks like nachos and empanadas here.

Bars in Clapham – About the guide

The best bars in Clapham - This guide to the best bars in Clapham is updated regularly. If you know of great suggestions for our best bars in Clapham guide that we haven't featured, feel free to get in touch. Please let us know if you see any mistakes in our guide to the best bars in Clapham. Have you visited any of the places mentioned in the guide? Don't forget to write a review on Thatsup.

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