The Best Bars in Clapham
You don’t always have to head into the heart of the city for good vibes—some of the most exciting bars can be found right in Clapham.
The tricky thing with London is that you never really know if you’re going to get guaranteed fun, or if you’ll end up somewhere advertised as “fun” but actually pretentious, stuck-up, and a total waste of money. In Clapham, that’s never a problem.
The bars here keep it casual and lowkey, where the priority is making sure every friend group has a fantastic night. With this list, we can promise a night of boogying, laughing, and making memories without any fuss.
The Little Orange Door
The Little Orange Door is a favourite for so many, so you don’t even have to just take our word for it. It’s giving proper houseparty vibes, and honestly, they nailed this concept. We’ve all secretly wished to relive those nostalgic 17-year-old houseparty days, and they’ve brought it back- just the right way for 21+ year olds, of course!
Every Friday and Saturday, they host DJ nights, literally labelled as “house parties,” and they’re an absolute blast. The house punch is a must as your first drink, especially if you want the vibe and buzz immediately. Packed with four types of rum, guava, and fruit juices, it somehow just tastes like juice – dangerously good. No preening required; that one drink sets the night.
Have to try: House punch
Perfect for: Fun with friends
Approx price for 2: £60–£70
Venn St Records
Ven Street Records is perfect for anyone who judges a night by the quality of the music—honestly, what more people should be like!!
They have live music almost every day, and when they don’t, DJ sets keep the vibes going. Whether you’re after chill, chatty background tunes or full-on upbeat “untz untz,” every music taste is catered for.
The mango and passion fruit daiquiri is an absolute must. It’s fruity, summery, and dangerously easy to drink. And if the drinks leave you feeling peckish (inevitably happens), their pizzas are not to be missed—they absolutely slap.
Have to try: Mango and passion fruit daiquiri
Perfect for: Live music
Approx price for 2: £50–£60
No. 32 The Old Town
No. 32 The Old Town leans more refined pub than late-night bar, which honestly makes it way more enjoyable. All the things we love about a bar are still here—just in a calmer, less sticky setting. We caught their live music on a Saturday, which was perfectly chill with a drink in hand.
The lychee margarita was a winner. It was tropical, light, but packing that perfect buzz. Pair it with their buffalo chicken bites, served with the most moreish blue cheese dip. And to really soak in those summer vibes, snag a spot on their rooftop terrace. The atmosphere up there is unbeatable.
Have to try: Rooftop terrace
Perfect for: Catch up with friends
Approx price for 2: £45–£55
WC
Don’t be put off—WC doesn’t stand for what you think. It’s actually wine and charcuterie. Much more elegant and refined than you might expect, so let’s get our minds out of the gutter.
It was a chilly, miserable night, which meant only one thing: a bottle of red. We went for the MAAL Rebelión Malbec, with notes of blackcurrant and dark chocolate—almost dessert-like and decadently rich. On warmer days, we’d definitely recommend their cocktails, which sounded light, refreshing, and perfect for summer—we’ll be coming back for those.
We paired the wine with the garlic and rosemary baked camembert, drizzled with honey on top, and it was an absolute match. They also have live music on some nights, which adds an extra touch of class.
Have to try: Live music, wine and baked camembert
Perfect for: Date night
Approx price for 2: £50–£60
Afters
Just know this was the best ‘afters’ we’ve ever been to. No scraping bottles for the last drops in someone’s kitchen, no whispering to avoid waking the neighbours. And don’t take the name too literally — this isn’t a place to rock up at the end of the night. The vibes are so good, we wished we’d come as soon as doors opened.
They’ve got all the classics when it comes to cocktails, plus draught beer and wine. But honestly, just stick to the cocktails — keep it fun! The mai tai is strong, delicious, and exactly what you want to kick things off. Added bonus: happy hour runs from 5–8 most days, so pres are officially sorted here.
They’ve also got a short list of bar snacks that are basically drunk person catnip. Think chicken tenders, fries, crisps — unavoidable, and inevitably ordered.
Have to try: Mai tai and chicken tenders
Perfect for: Fun with friends
Approx price for 2: £40–£60 (drinks + snacks)
Aquum
Everyone probably needs a pep talk before stepping into Aquum, because honestly — no bad vibes or low energy survive in here. And don’t stress if someone in the group starts feeling that “tiredness” creeping in; the neon pink and purple lights hit like a bucket of ice-cold water to the face.
We went on their RnB night and the energy was on another level. Plus, they literally have a ball pit… so just know, after a few drinks, it’s inevitable. If that high-energy, crazy-night scene isn’t the movie you’re after, they’ve also got a rooftop. We can already picture it: summery cocktails, picky bits, and chilled vibes hitting just right.
Have to try: RnB Nights
Perfect for: Fun with friends
Approx price for 2: £60–£90 (drinks + bites)
Sugar Cane Tiki Cocktail Bar
Honestly, stepping in here felt like being transported straight into some fever-dream jungle paradise. Closest we’ll get to a tropical holiday — and of course, it’s in Clapham of all places.
On Fridays and Saturdays they’ve got live music from their resident DJ, and this is a must if the vibe is dancing the night away. It’s that perfect kind of music anyone can move to, whether you know the song or not — aka the best kind. Naturally, we had to dive into their tiki signature cocktails, and let’s just say… they’re not for the weak. Or they are, but it’s probably not the wisest choice. We kicked things off with Wray’s Planter’s Punch, and if you know Wray & Nephew and what it’s capable of, you’ll understand the state we were in after a couple. No regrets though — it gets you there quick, easy, and guarantees a good time.
They even do a bottomless brunch if the vibe is more day-drinking and home-in-bed before midnight.
Have to try: Tiki cocktails
Perfect for: Fun with friends
Approx price for 2: £70–£100 (cocktails + brunch or night out)
Blame Gloria Clapham Junction
Most people have at least heard of Blame Gloria, but trust us — even with the stories, nothing can prepare you for it. Whacky and high-energy don’t even begin to cover it, and that’s just the interior. Think checkered floors, patterned walls, and neon LED lights crammed into every crevice possible.
The drinks here are easily some of the most unique on this list, and the menu itself is massive. A standout for us was the Baked Apple-tini — basically a bougier, boozier version of tequila apple juice. And we all know the damage that alone can do. Expect rounds of these, and don’t be surprised when shots start making an appearance — the vibe here practically forces you to join in (but in the best way possible).
Blame Gloria is also perfect for special occasions. They’ve got private karaoke rooms you can book in advance — and honestly, after a few cocktails, you’ll be grateful for it.
Have to try: Karaoke
Perfect for: Birthdays
Approx price for 2: £70–£100 (cocktails + a few extras)