Balham Bowls Club

by Andy Garner (subscribe)

Published January 29th 2012

www.balhambowlsclub.com

Set in the heart of the buzzing Balham community is the Bowls Club, fondly nicknamed the BBC, although this one demands no license fees. It's a quirky venue with a surprise on every wall, from bird cages to retro Rolls Royce ads, you could spend all day marvelling at the art work.

Instead, you can sample the wide range of beers and guest ales on offer to the friendly punters that often frequent the BBC. It's always worth keeping your eyes open for mulled wine/cider on a winter's night, it's the perfect warm me up.

Towards the back of the building you'll find the restaurant which churns out gastro-pub specialities ranging from pan fried scallops with black pudding to mouth watering 28-day-hung Oxfordshire Ribeys. All meals are competitively priced and come hand in hand with a friendly service and a bustling atmosphere.

The weekend brings a range of entertainment from live bands to Murder Mystery nights, always check out what's happening before popping over. If you can, try and pop into the Ukulele Society every other Sunday, it's worth a listen and if you've got the voice for it you can always join in.

If you're south of the river and prefer something different, the BBC is the pick of my top haunts in Balham.