Balham Bowls Club in Wandsworth

Love this place, such a good atmosphere. Keen to come back and try the food

Great food, reasonably priced and amazing service from Sarah :-)

A little bit run down with chairs that look as though they may fail when you sit on them. Staff were friendly and efficient. Couldn’t sample food as kitchen was closed that evening.

Lovely building, staff, beers and food! If only I were a local!

A great venue for big parties! I had the pleasure of hosting a 200-person Christmas Party at Balham Bowls Club earlier this month and it was everything we hoped for and more. The events manager, Sergejs, was fantastic - he went above and beyond to ensure we had the perfect night. The venue had already put up beautiful Christmas decorations which made our job much easier. The minimum spend is very reasonable for venue hire and the drinks are great price. The staff were very helpful on the day and adhered to the drink token system we asked to put in place for the night. Would highly recommend!

Busy venue, with friendly staff and a lively atmosphere. The food was ok, but the sticky toffee pudding was cold....which was a shame. Worth a visit, if you're in the local area

Really enjoyed my visit - sitting out in the back garden in the sunshine (August 23). Good beer and very lively place. Everyone seemed to be having a good time and that transfers, almost by osmosis, and lifts everyone (or me anyway).

Love it here. One of the best roasts in SW London - good starters too (if you can eat a lot).

Thanks so much to Sergejs and all his lovely team for hosting our Stitch Balham Christmas meal last week. The food was amazing. Most of us ate from the Xmas menu, and as we are a large group, we pre-ordered. All our allergies and dietary requirements were catered for, with plenty of choices offered. I am GF and had the soup, sea bass and fruit crumble. All totally delicious, and all with a bit of a twist. Only marked the atmosphere down slightly, because it is dark in there. First time eating here since the change in ownership. Will definitely be eating there again soon.

Lovely, quirky pub in Balham, with reasonable bar prices, good selection and a large beer garden. Staff very friendly especially waiter Rory, and service very quick. Fantastic Sunday roast and sticky toffee pudding was divine. Highly recommended.

Why 5 stars? We arrived on a Sunday without a booking, but the hostess was still able find us a table and the service throughout our stay was great - even though we could tell how busy everyone was. Also, I ordered the chicken schnitzel and its is honestly one of the best I’ve ever eaten, in London if not anywhere. Crispy, light and tasted like it was cooked in fresh oil. Perfect. Recommended and I’ll have to come back to try the roast dinner.

A really lovely atmosphere that reminds me of the characterful pubs back in Suffolk. The staff are very accommodating. I had the roast pork for Sunday lunch, and it was fantastic – a large portion size, hearty and tasty, with an extra bit of crackling thrown in. No complaints from me.

😍😍😍 Can’t get enough of the roasts here, too good! The team in the kitchen, Nobby, Arg and Harry are top of their game!! Actually can’t get enough of the food here, especially the roast potatoes and Yorkshires! Super cool venue also with really welcoming staff! 😍😍😍

Great venue for a party, big space great staff.

A busy, noisy fun pub. Great food and friendly staff

First of, this has been one of my favourite pubs in Balham and I've been coming to the BBC for years especially to watch the rugby. This weekend, I again booked a table specifying it's for the rugby international game and we got seated in the room on the right of the main entrance. Around us were also tables full of rugby supporters. As we were there ahead of the start time of the game, we ordered some drinks and food and expected the music to be turned down once the game started. However this was not the case and even after multiple asks from different people, we were told that it's a family pub and so they were not going to turn the rugby commentary on in this room. Of course, when going to watch a game in a pub to then have ABBA playing over it takes away a lot from the atmosphere and so we left (as did other people) after we had our drinks and food to go to another pub. This was most likely the last time I visited this pub which is a shame.

Cool bar in Balham - always a good vibe and definitely worth checking out!

A characterful pub, far from polished which allows the history of the building to shine through. More polished, and it would lose its charm. The staff are friendly and great at serving punters quickly in spite of a somewhat self-indulgent wealthy wannabe beatnik VW camper van ironic moustache dungarees on a Sunday fret over the guardian in a £1.3 million terraced house they bought because it was right place right time with a skylight kitchen vegan pedigree dog with kids named after healing crystals clientele. Check the names on the other reviews 😆 The food was really tasty and quickly prepared in the former canteen kitchen. However, they burned my buns (they use brioche btw - when will this tyranny end? They're cheaper than freshly-baked, floured buns and last forever on the shelves, so good for business, but they are NOT posh) and the ceasar salad was a bit skanty for the price which is strange because the halloumi starter was really generous. A pint of Pepsi Max was £3.80. Yeesh. A terrible rip-off, and lets the place down a wee bit. Thanks to the staff though, no criticism there. Upstairs is haunted.

I went tonthe rt festival. The pub itself is a mixed bag. Quitr nice but also a bit too dark for my taste

Since moving to SW we’ve been looking for the best Roast in the area and let me tell you, they serve by far the best pork belly roast! The chicken was devoured by my wife and daughter / we practically licked the plates! An absolute Gem of a pub.

Come here quite regularly, really nice pub and one of the best Sunday roasts around

Had Sunday lunch here and left disappointed. Our table ordered 1 chicken, 1 pork belly, and 2 of the roast beef. 45 mins after ordering we were told they had run out of the pork. The food took well over an hour to hit our table. It seems like they had also run out of beef too because we were served a minute steak rather than roast beef. Veg was quite average, yorkshire and gravy was good. I hear the chicken was nice. Atmosphere super loud in a large room, difficult to hear those on my own table. Not a great experience, won’t be returning.

Excellent Sunday roast, we had a huge amount of chicken each and it was absolutely delicious. The sticky toffee pudding is also amazing. Great value, lovely staff and nice atmosphere. Will definitely be back.

Been here a few times now and the food has always been absolutely incredible. Such a local gem. The staff are all lovely too, but service at the bar can often be a bit slow.

Just off the main road sits this lovely pub. Good selection of beers and the food is very good and well priced for Balham. The Sunday Roasts are the only roasts that I haven’t had to ask for extra gravy as it comes with plenty! Yet the spuds and Yorkshire’s remain crisp. The veggie roast is very good too and the same size as the meat ones. This is probably my favourite pub in Balham.

Great roast! Big portion and the cauliflower cheese was super cheesy. Yorkshire and roasties were super. Very attentive service too

Absolutely outstanding service and roasts. Lovely people serving lovely food and great tasting pints. They certainly know how to pour a pint!

Great spot for food and a drink in Balham. Sunday roast is a must, the pork belly roast is absolutely delicious. Quirky bowls club decor with great service! Highly recommend !!

Great local pub with character and nice atmosphere. But… the standard is declining and prices increasing. Possibly related to the bankruptcy and sale of the pub? The staff need to be trained on how to pull a pint. On three occasions in the past two months my glass has been under-filled by 3-4 cm. The cask ale is no longer fresh either. The pipes are cleaned but the ale is flat with a sour taste. Maybe I had a series of not so good experiences..

Love the BBC, is a great vibe for getting drinks and has so much character whatever room you’re in. Only disappointing bit is that the prices have gone up and haven’t reflected that yet on their menu on the website so be warned

Best pub in Balham, beer garden is great

Quirky venue with multiple rooms and vibes going on. Great staff who were fun to be around 😀

Was there on Sunday. Great atmosphere and what a Sunday lunch. 30 of us dropped in at different times through out the day to meet up. Stayed until closing and every staff member was fantastic. I had the belly pork for lunch and was delicious.

Really nice and big pub Good food and nice people

Great place and the staff are amazing

Great! Loved our burgers and roasts. Staff was super nice as well. We'll definitely be back.

Just had Old Spot Pork Sunday Roast. One of the best meals I’ve had this year (esp for the price). Meat was delicious and tender, crackling in abundance! Superb!

Watched the Euros semifinal in here, great atmosphere, friendly staff and most importantly good beers on tap

Nice pub, staff should try prioritise ordering by who has arrived first

I'd say the photos make it look more upmarket than it is. But it's a great down to earth pub with a great beer garden

Desperate to go back to this pub and eat there again, tater tots where amazing and one of the best vegan burgers ever and staff were lovely!!!!!

Lovely little pub, the best bit by far was the delicious food! So many tasty veggie/vegan options to try, highly recommend!!

Lovely pub, best bit was by far the food! So many delicious veggie / vegan options! Highly recommend :)

Had a delicious meal at this pub was really impressed with the quality of the food and the vegan options. Great service and friendly staff, I would definitely recommend.

I often have food in Balham Bowls Club. They have an amazing range of veggie / vegan options and their aubergine Caesar salad is a personal favourite. Also the vegan Sunday roast is the best I’ve had by a mile!! Always look forward to their specials as they often include a veggie option, the chefs here Nobby and Arg are world class! Would recommend to those looking for a more interesting pub dinner than the basic ones you find in Balham 😊

Had a delicious roast pork with crackling last Sunday. My gluten and dairy intolerances were catered for with minimum fuss. Special shout out to Nobbie the chef. The only part of the meal I couldn’t have was the Yorkshire pudding. Lovely family friendly atmosphere with excellent service. My friend had the vegetarian roast option and cleared his plate! We will definitely eat here next time we are in the area.

We had the best Sunday roast here yesterday. I had the pork belly which was cooked beautifully. Three large piece of crackling too. The roast potatoes were crispy on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside. My husband had the beef which he said was delicious. There is a lovely, friendly, family atmosphere here. I would highly recommend this pub.

Just want to leave a review thanking all the staff that have helped to organise my partner's surprise birthday party, prepared the food and clean up afterwards. Organising a party with the venue was hassle free thanks to Gabby and Sarah who were so responsive and patient with all of my queries. I also have to say that the food platters were so delicious and plentiful. We'll be back again for food that's for sure.

We had our 10 year wedding anniversary/40th birthday party here on Saturday night... having had our wedding reception here back in May 2014. It is SUCH a beautiful venue... the ballroom is perfect for a private party. The team are friendly and flexible. We had the most fantastic night. Thank you!

Just around the corner from Waitrose great location. Very quaint / old fashioned interior. Plenty of seating and cover at the back. Friendly staff. I asked for a coffee but said they weren't serving any. Plenty of choices behind the bar . Didn't have any food

Service was really poor on the most recent visit, no cutlery being brought over, missing dishes and plates not being cleared. Staff were also unwelcoming to any of us when we went to the bar, felt like we were causing an issue by asking for a drink Some roast were also overcooked and cold. Iv had good experiences here before, but my rating has dropped due to the last.

Very good beers and easy comfort seating good memories

Fantastic pub with friendly welcoming staff and great beer - highly recommended!

A busy pub but still full of character after many years. Lovely set up and outside is a great beer garden. They only have the small ground floor bar which gets busy so an age to be served. There’s also an upstairs area and bar but often used for functions. If you get your drink quickly it’s a top place. Some good music playing too.

The food at Balham Bowls Club is Amazing ! Thank you to all the chefs and staff !! 👍🏻

Uuuuff the food at this Pub is incredible, last Sunday I ordered a Beef, let me tell you that while I was there I ate two plates of Sunday Roasted. I recommend

Many years since I have visited the BBC, and we were not dissapointed food wise. I had the Toulouse sausages and chive mash and my partner had the Chicken kiev (both were smashing). Homemade comfort cooking done right! Can't wait to sample a roasts here! Keep it up chefs!!

What a great local pub this is! The steak is delicious and I love that you can come here for a whole variety of reasons. It's great for a big group, it's good for live music and you can come for a drawing class. What a versatile pub for the local area.

Lovely pub, a great number of rooms and seating. Good selection of beer and the food is fantastic not to mention very reasonably priced/cheap

The food was so good we forgot to take photos of it! We ordered fish and chips, chicken schnitzel and vegan sausage and mash for Saturday lunch in the big room filled with sunshine. Affordable prices too. Definitely coming back to try the roast one of these Sundays.

The name is a bit misleading as this is a delightfully quirky pub and restaurant. Such a change from the usual chain pubs and no bowls in sight. We didn't eat but loved the place. Would highly recommend for a drink.

What a spectacular roast! The head chef here used to run my local pub kitchen and I just had to follow him here! 10/10 top quality award winning roast dinner!

Went for a comedy night, service from bar staff was great, disappointed at the short sets of comedy and the headline act was late with many people walking out before he arrived, and for those who waited his set was short and very visibly looked at his watch the whole time but we appreciate this is not the fault of the venue, which overall was nice!

I was expecting this place to be better, but they closed the room we were in moments after our food arrived. They made some empty promises to find us another table but the place was packed, and after waiting a while I was so hungry I ate a cold dinner with my bare hands standing at a closed bar. Best avoided.

One star purely because I booked a table, showed up and they just told me they couldn't find the booking because it hadn't processed. Not really any alternatives given and it wasn't handled very professionally, I just felt brushed to the side to be honest. Grubby pub generally, I found it on timeout, couldn't understand the hype around it when I showed up. Maybe it was a blessing they didn't process our booking. Rude staff who act like they don't have time for you...I get that these places can get busy on a Friday night but that's still poor customer service. Don't let ratings deceive you.

Place with lots of potential but I stood by the bar waiting with a host of other people for basic drinks and food on a Saturday for close to 25 minutes. Got to the front finally and they were out of everything. Total waste.

Great relaxed venue, nice vibe and made a note to head back for the pub quiz on a Tuesday night

Was here for a wedding reception

Went to BBC for a team outing and had a wonderful time. We were well looked after by Sarah and the team, and despite it being January, the place had a real buzz. Can't argue with that!

Great atmosphere, especially on Saturdays. Best to spend nights with friends drinking. Not a place to target good food or quick service. The bar is frequently overwhelmed.

Great atmosphere, the pub is large and it can be nice for small groups and larger ones. There is an nice outside area for the smokers and a very cosy atmosphere inside. Would highly recommend to anyone who wants a nice time with good prices.

Great good, good atmosphere and good prices. Chicken supreme roast was slightly on the small side and quite dry. Everything else fab!

Love going for a couple of quiet pints here - nice little side rooms near the bar, and a few big functions rooms, haven’t eaten there but food looks good, bar staff are nice, and decent beer selection

9/10 overall 2x roast dinners 9/10 Cauliflower cheese 7/10 Extra gravy 9/10 Rioja 6/10 Value for money 6/10 Location 8/10 Service 9.5/10 £48 for two roasts and one large glass of red wine. Slightly too dark lighting. Plenty of space for walk ins. Special shout out to our friendly waiter who was attentive and friendly.

Nice place to meet your friends for a drink.

Good boozer - great old-fashioned decor and usually good beer but not great on this visit. Possibly just an off-day post-christmas☹️

Fantastic place to have a Christmas party

Toilets were awful with a broken light and an overflowing sanitary bin. It was a shame as the staff were lovely

If you want drinks in a buzzy bar with a neat decor, then this is a good choice. It was too busy for me, it took a long time to get served (they need another bar area or more staff on a Friday night) and I thought the food from the bar menu was underwhelming. Maybe the full menu and table service at the back of the place is better.

A great pub hidden away from the beaten track on a Balham side road, but a real gem. Thoroughly recommend.

I have a lot of love this pub, very lucky to have it as a local! Big fan of the interior and the garden, staff are always lovely too. Hired the upstairs room for a party, such a great space. Jean looked after us incredibly well, he had such a wonderful energy the whole evening and made us feel right at home. Highly recommend for food, grabbing a pint, private hire or all of the above!

Had our Christmas do here this weekend. It was a shambles, they booked way too many parties for the night and were over run with orders. We were told our food would be ready at 7:30pm we didn’t get our starters until 8:30pm and our desserts were still coming out at 11pm!! We had one waitress serving our party of 40 plus and she tried her best but in the end we had to start clearing the tables ourselves. The food was awful, turkey was DRY and parsnips raw, burger was raw too. Really disappointing! Wouldn’t return.

Swift half with friend, somewhere to sit and have a pleasant chat.

Popular Noisy Slowest bar service in London

Very poor Sunday lunch. Food was lukewarm. Parsnips were hard and there was far too much spice in the red cabbage.

I love this place. Amazing atmosphere & the manager Erin is the loveliest & most welcoming person. Highly recommend xx

I recently had my 30th birthday party at Balham Bowls Club and we hired out the upstairs function room for the 70+ people attending. Gabby and the team were very helpful and accommodating both during the booking process and on the night itself. Everyone had a great time and I would recommend Balham Bowls Clubs for anyone looking to plan a similar event.

When you go out for a roast sometimes it can be disappointing, but not this one. Super reasonable prices and delicious food - highly recommend!

Disappointing. We booked Sunday lunch for the three of us. Upon arrival, we requested 3 x kids roast lunches. We have had this before. We were told that was not possible. We didn’t want to spend £60 with 3 x £20. So, we spoke to staff and their hands were tied. The very unfriendly duty manager told us we couldn’t have the smaller portions. So silly. She then, sarcastically , wished us a nice afternoon. So, we decided to leave the premises and save our money!!!!

Balham Bowls Social Club is truly a hidden gem in the heart of Balham, and I can't say enough good things about the experience I've had there, largely thanks to the excellent management of Gabby. From the moment you step inside, you are greeted by a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The club exudes a sense of community, making it an ideal spot to relax and enjoy some quality time with friends, family, or even make new acquaintances. The overall ambiance is charming, with a perfect blend of traditional charm and a contemporary twist. Gabby, the manager of the club, is the heart and soul of this establishment. Her dedication to ensuring that every visitor has a memorable experience is truly remarkable. She's not only attentive but also incredibly friendly. Gabby's knowledge of the club's history and the sport of bowls itself is impressive. Her passion for what she does shines through, making you feel like a valued guest rather than just another customer. The bar and dining area are well-maintained and offer a great selection of beverages and delicious food options. Whether you're a fan of classic cocktails, craft beers, or fine wines, you won't be disappointed. The menu is varied, and the quality of the dishes is outstanding. I highly recommend trying the Sunday roast; it's a personal favorite. The bowling greens are in fantastic condition, and whether you're a seasoned bowler or a novice, you'll find the equipment and facilities top-notch. Gabby and her staff are always on hand to offer guidance and assistance, ensuring that everyone can enjoy a game. The events and entertainment organized by the club are another highlight. They provide the perfect opportunity to socialize and meet fellow members. From quiz nights to live music, there's always something exciting happening at Balham Bowls Social Club. In summary, Balham Bowls Social Club is a wonderful destination for those seeking a unique and enjoyable social experience. Gabby's exceptional management skills and the overall friendly ambiance create an environment that is truly inviting. It's a place where traditions meet modernity, and I can't recommend it enough. If you're in Balham, don't miss the chance to visit this charming establishment.

In Balham, where the good times flow, Lies a gem called Balham Bowls, you know. A pub of mirth, a place of cheer, A haven for friends, far and near. The ambiance, oh, it's truly divine, With warm lighting that softly shines. The staff's smiles, like the sun's first ray, Greet you warmly, come what may. The food and drinks, a delightful array, Satisfying cravings in every way. From pints to pies, and everything between, A culinary journey, a feast unseen. But what sets this pub apart from the rest, Is the bowls, a game, a welcomed test. Outdoors we play, in the sun or rain, A perfect activity, to banish all pain. So here's to Balham Bowls, let's raise a toast, For the memories made, we love the most. In the heart of Balham, this pub's a star, A place to return, no matter how far.

Great place, great staff behind the bar!

Always been a classic with many a story beginning and ending.

Shame! We always say BBC roasts are the best! Unfortunately, the beef was so tough and overcooked you couldn’t even cut through it! The potatoes stale and cold and Yorkshire crisp and cold! I asked the waitress to see if they could replace the meat and bless her she tried but she came back with pretty much the same meat!

Standards seem to be slipping, understaffed and struggling. Food still excellent on a Sunday.

Great place for an amazing relaxed Sunday dinner at reasonable cost. We were made really welcome by all the staff with our 2 dogs. I especially enjoyed the veggie option and extra Yorkshires. Can't wait to be back.

Lovely Sunday lunch with great service. Place is pet and child friendly and has fantastic veggie options, as well as all the classics for Sunday lunch. Well prices too. Very good, very good

Have always loved Balham Bowls Club (first as a local and lately whenever I can make it back). Lunch today of pub bites & heritage tomato salad with goats cheese was delightful with a few pints in the sun. Bravo chef & team and thanks for the wonderful friendly service to the bar team xx

Our new favorite local. Finally a place where beer is still affordable, and the staff genuily nice and caring. I only have been a few times and they all remembered me and my dog ! I have not tried the food yet but I was told it is very yummy

An experience of the most immense sensations..