The 5 best venues in South London

Chandeliers. A rose-coloured wall. Illuminated bar shelves. Intricately detailed ceilings. An inviting fireplace. The Cadogan Arms has all the style of a Chelsea restaurant with the cosiness of your run-of-the-mill pub.

Continuing the two-century pub tradition, this South London pub takes serving the community very seriously – and with that, comes food and drinks.

Expect your usual Sunday roasts and pints alongside pub favourites and other additions like toasties, curry, mussels, cocktails and non-alcholic drinks.

For private hire, choose from their two spaces - the general pub area, the Dining Room or The Rose Room which has space for up to 50 standing guests and 35 seated guests

You’ll find them on the corner of King’s Road.

If there’s one thing South London has a knack for, it’s repurposing. Whether that’s turning a supermarket car park into a marketplace, an old power station to a shopping destination or an events space built from old shipping containers.

Born out of a need to support local businesses, Pop Brixton is home to 55 local businesses. In the middle of this buzzy hub of food, drink, entertainment and community projects is Pop Box, their main events space.

With a 200-person capacity, this South London venue has been host to classes, workshops, dinners, parties and screenings.

You can find them on Brixton Station Road, a few minutes from the station.

Flipping minimalist fashion advice on its head is the popular cocktail bar, Blame Gloria.

Continuing their “more is more” trend (imagine the style of Ashish, Molly Goddard and Baddie Winkle all in one), their Clapham branch is the ideal party venue for the maximalist.

Expect floral walls, checkered floors, and a bar lit with fluorescent lights, and because no stone is left unturned, the cocktails are as “Blame Gloria-fied” as the rest of the venue. Take a shot of skittle-infused vodka or sip on the sugary Starburst Boogie to see for yourself.

With happy hours on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday and full venue hire for up to 220 guests, it looks like it’s Gloria’s world, and we’re all just living in it.

Nothing beats going to the cinema. The buttery smell of popcorn, the brightly coloured slush puppies, the opening scenes on the big screen, the suspense, the laughs, the big reveal, the ending credits. Now imagine that, but in your own private cinema room.

Balham’s long-standing bar and restaurant, The Exhibit are tapping in that feeling. With space for up to 24 guests, this South London venue are bringing the big screen to you.

At their private cinema, you’re welcomed by their comfy velvet and leather seats, side tables (for your drinks) and a wall of iconic film posters.

With surround sound, an HD projector, and air-conditioning to keep things cool, all that’s left is to pick your flick.

Now playing…

Exposed brick walls. A reliable colour scheme of brown on brown. Wood beams. Chairs and tables that more functional than stylish. A reminder that you “Don’t mess with Texas”. If that sounds familiar, then you’re at Big Easy.

For the uninitiated, Big Easy bring Southern food straight from the US to London. Their Chelsea branch is the first, has proved to be popular, as more locations have been popping up over the years.

As expected, they serve up burgers, wings, sliders and nachos, but the real star is the beef and pork, cooked over wood or a charcoal grill, and the fresh lobster. Wash it down with a beer, cocktail, milkshake or soft drink.

You can find them on Kings Road.