Best Pubs in Putney: A Local’s Guide (2023)

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Looking for the best pubs in Putney? Putney is one of the best areas in Southwest London for a sunny beer garden drink or a riverside pint.

Whether you’re looking for a pre-drink in a local or a chilled Sunday roast, this post lists the best pubs in Putney. So, let’s get started and find the best pubs in Putney according to the locals (like myself!)

Still have a question about the best pubs in Putney? Let me know over on Instagram or shoot me an email at jennie(@)jenniewanders.com!

Other Putney pubs:

• BEST Restaurants in Putney: Local’s Guide
• Walks Near Putney: Putney Heath, Putney River Walk & Beyond
• Best Putney Sunday Roast: A Local’s Guide
• Shops in Putney: High Street, Supermarkets & Beyond

Best Pubs in Putney: A Summary

Whether you live in Putney or you’re just visiting, there are plenty of pubs to choose from. Most of the pubs in Putney serve both food and drink, so you can either head to one for a Sunday roast, or for a late-night dinner over a bottle of wine!

Most of the pubs in Putney are of a similar price range. In general, it should cost around £20-25 for a meal and drink. A pint of beer is around £6, and a glass of wine will be similar. However, things can change quickly, and if you’re on a budget, check the menu beforehand.

Pubs in Putney are dotted all over, but the majority can be found either along the river or down the high street.

Fancy stepping into local history? The oldest pub in Putney is the Bricklayer’s Arms, which was built in 1826! It’s also been awarded the best pub in Southwest London a few times, so it’s worth a visit!

🦉TOP TIP: Most of the pubs in Putney and Southwest London are owned by the chain “Youngs”. You can download their app when visiting pubs in Richmond to view their menus. Even though the pubs are owned by the same company, most pubs will have entirely different menus.

Where to stay in Putney, London

If you’re visiting Putney for the first time and need a place to stay to check out the area, here are some of the best-located apartments and hotels.

• 3 Bedroom Private Apartment: for a cosy and quintessential apartment with garden space in the heart of Putney ➡ CHECK PRICES HERE!
• Modern Flat on Putney High Street: the perfect location for travelling in and out of London on a daily basis! ➡ CHECK PRICES HERE!
• 1 Bedroom flat with Patio: five minutes from the high street, this apartment is on the River Thames and has a beautiful setup! ➡ CHECK PRICES HERE!

Best Pubs in Putney: A Local’s Guide

1. The Telegraph (££)

🤩 BEST FOR: SCENERY, WALKS AND THE BEER GARDEN

✅ BEER GARDEN

🥕 SUNDAY ROASTS

If you’re looking for a country pub in London, let it be The Telegraph. It’s not just one of the best pubs in Putney, but one of the best in the entire city!

Nestled in the heart of Putney Heath, it’s a perfect pub for walkers, dog owners, and anyone who enjoys peaceful surroundings and woodlands. It’s one of my favourite pubs I’ve ever been to! The Sunday roasts are incredible and I highly recommend The Telegraph for a weekend pint.

The only downside – it’s a bit of a walk from East Putney or Putney station. But it’s worth it!

2. The Coat and Badge (££)

🤩 BEST FOR: SPORTS DAYS AND EVENTS

✅ BEER GARDEN

🥕 SUNDAY ROASTS

🎵 LIVE MUSIC

🍻 PUB QUIZ (Tuesday)

🏉 LIVE SPORTS

The Coat and Badge is one of Putney’s best pubs for atmosphere, vibes and sports. Just a minute’s walk from Putney High Street, you can enjoy the sunshine in the pub’s large beer garden with big flat-screen TVs and a buzzing atmosphere on match days.

You can expect live music on Friday and Saturday, with the pub quiz taking place every Tuesday.

3. East Putney Tavern (££)

🤩 BEST FOR: FRIDAY NIGHT VIBES

✅ BEER GARDEN

🥕 SUNDAY ROASTS

🎵 LIVE MUSIC

🍻 PUB QUIZ (Wednesday)

🏉 LIVE SPORTS

🌐 WIFI + WFH SPOTS

The East Putney Tavern is located opposite East Putney tube station and is a Putney local’s favourite. With live music every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, it’s the social hub for any young adult in the area.

The ‘EPT’ (as the locals call it) has a beer garden and 3 separate floors, with big screens for sports events.

You can also expect special events for holidays like Halloween, St Patrick’s Day and Christmas. If you fancy the pub quiz, it starts at 7.30pm every Wednesday night. It’s one of our favourites, by far!

It’s not just one of the best pubs, but one of the best bars in Putney for atmosphere and liveliness.

4. The Jolly Gardeners (££)

🤩 BEST FOR: COSY INTERIORS AND GOOD FOOD

✅ BEER GARDEN

🥕 SUNDAY ROASTS

🍻 PUB QUIZ (Tuesday), BOTTOMLESS BRUNCH

🏉 LIVE SPORTS

Around a 5-minute walk from Putney High Street is the Jolly Gardeners. I love this pub because it has such a warm and cosy feel, with a countryside vibe as soon as you walk in the doors.

If it’s a sunny day, you can sit in the beer garden or in a colourful hut with cushions and fairy lights.

The Jolly Gardeners is also one of the best pubs in Putney to eat in – the food is DELICIOUS and I highly recommend it!

Their pub quiz takes place every Tuesday night and shows all major live sporting events.

5. The Spotted Horse (££)

🤩 BEST FOR: BIG SOCIAL GROUPS

✅ ROOFTOP TERRACE (NOT A BEER GARDEN AS SUCH)

🥕 SUNDAY ROASTS

🍻 PUB QUIZ (Wednesday), PAINT AND SIP EVENTS

🏉 LIVE SPORTS

If you’re looking for a social pub in Putney, The Spotted Horse is a great place to start your night out with a few drinks.

The pub has a great vibe for young adults and also serves up some delicious food. It can get busy on a Friday or Saturday night, so you might want to book ahead.

The Juniper Terrace is located on the rooftop of the pub and is the perfect place for bigger groups!

6. The Boathouse (£££)

🤩 BEST FOR: RIVERSIDE VIEWS AND AESTHETICS

✅ BEER GARDEN (OVERLOOKING THE RIVER)

🥕 SUNDAY ROASTS

🎵 LIVE MUSIC (FOR EVENTS)

🏉 LIVE SPORTS

🌐 WIFI + WFH SPOTS

The Boathouse has STUNNING riverside views and is by far one of the best riverside pubs in Putney.

Located right next to Putney Bridge, the Boathouse serves up an amazing Sunday roast and gets pretty busy on the weekend. Arrive early if you want a good rooftop table!

Looking for other Sunday roasts in the Putney area? Check out my detailed Putney roast guide here.

7. The Duke’s Head (££)

🤩 BEST FOR: RIVERSIDE VIEWS AND GOOD FOOD

✅ SMALL OUTDOOR TERRACE

🥕 SUNDAY ROASTS

🏉 LIVE SPORTS

🍻 PUB QUIZ (Monthly – check website for different themed events)

Head to the Duke’s Head to visit one of the oldest pubs in Putney, and enjoy your pint with a riverside view. Built during Victorian times, the Duke’s Head sits at the start of the Oxford v Cambridge boat race and is the perfect place for Sunday lunch or a hearty pub meal.

The pub is spread across three floors, which can be hired for private events, or be a place of social gatherings for large sporting events and festivities.

8. Half Moon (££)

🤩 BEST FOR: LIVE MUSIC

✅ BEER GARDEN

🥕 SUNDAY ROASTS

🎵 LIVE MUSIC

🏉 LIVE SPORTS

🍻 COMEDY NIGHTS

🌐 WIFI + WFH SPOTS

Half Moon isn’t just known for being the best live music venue in Putney, but it’s known for being the best music venue in the whole of southwest London.

Home to Kate Bush’s first public event, U2’s first sold-out UK concert and regular rehearsal space for the Rolling Stones, it’s not one to be missed if you’re in the area!

Known as one of the best pubs in Putney, the Half Moon has been providing London with good times on the banks of the Thames for decades.

Whether it’s for rock and roll music or hearty food, you can enjoy pints of beer, sharing plates of food, live entertainment, and private parties, all come rain or shine (they have a cover over their beer garden too!)

There are live music events pretty much EVERY night, and you can check out the schedule here! Recently, they’ve hosted Ed Sheeran, London Grammar, Nick Cave and Aisling Bee!

9. Queen Adelaide (££)

🤩 BEST FOR: A SUMMER’S DAY BEER GARDEN

✅ BEER GARDEN

🥕 SUNDAY ROASTS

🏉 LIVE SPORTS

🍻 PUB QUIZ (Wednesday)

Often voted the ‘best pub in Putney’, Queen Adelaide is a stone’s throw from Wandsworth Park and has one of the best undercover beer gardens in the area.

Head to Queen Adelaide on a Wednesday for the pub quiz, or on a Sunday for one of their famous traditional English roast dinners.

On Friday and Saturday nights, the vibe is young and fun, but it’s also family-friendly for all on a sunny afternoon. You can visit the Queen Adelaide website for bookings here.

10. The Green Man (££)

🤩 BEST FOR: BIG SOCIAL GROUPS IN THE BEER GARDEN

✅ BEER GARDEN

🥕 SUNDAY ROASTS

🍻 PUB QUIZ (Tuesday)

🏉 LIVE SPORTS

🌐 WIFI + WFH SPOTS

We absolutely LOVE the Green Man, and not just because it’s about 100m from our flat! About a 10-minute walk from Putney High Street, the Green Man is opposite Putney Heath and has one of the biggest beer gardens in the area.

For sporting events, you can watch on the big screens indoors or out, and socialise in big groups with the all-day outdoor bar with food on tap from the Burger Shack.

11. Prince of Wales (££)

🤩 BEST FOR: A SUNDAY ROAST

✅ HEATED TERRACE

🥕 SUNDAY ROASTS

🏉 LIVE SPORTS

The Prince of Wales is close to East Putney tube station and is best known for its Yorkshire puddings and hearty Sunday roast. It’s rare that I walk past the Prince of Wales and see it empty, as it attracts weekend-goers and city workers on weeknights.

Serving up a range of cask ales, craft beers and wines, it’s a well-known gastropub in Putney that locals love.

“A true neighbourhood jewel.” – Prince of Wales website.

12. The Temperance (££)

🤩 BEST FOR: SPORTING EVENTS

🎵 LIVE MUSIC

🍻 BOTTOMLESS BRUNCH, COMEDY NIGHTS

🏉 LIVE SPORTS

The Temperance is just across Putney Bridge, and is known for its fun atmosphere during big sporting events.

Not only is it a great pit stop for sports, but you can book a bottomless brunch for £28 per person and 2 hours of unlimited lager, prosecco or cocktails and a full brunch menu. It’s the perfect Putney pub to start your weekend!

Related posts: Best Brunch in Putney: A Local’s Guide | Best Cafes in Putney: Coffee & Co-Working

13. The Railway (NEW!)

🤩 BEST FOR: LIVE SPORTS AND BIG GROUPS

✅ OUTDOOR SPACE/ROOFTOP BAR

🎵 LATE NIGHT DJ AND LICENCE

🥕 SUNDAY ROASTS

🍻 PUB QUIZ (Sunday)

🍹 COCKTAIL BAR

🍻 BOTTOMLESS BRUNCH

🎙️ OPEN MIC NIGHTS

🏉 LIVE SPORTS

The Railway re-opened (after being shut and reused as a Vodka Revs) in September 2023. It’s now back to its old self, a traditional English pub, with three large floors, hundreds of tables, hearty pub grub, large TV screens and even a rooftop bar!

We attended the opening launch night of the Railway and saw just how much potential the place has. For a start, it’s enormous – making it perfect for large groups wanting to watch the rugby or enjoy a big meet-up.

There’s also a late-night DJ on the weekends, making it the perfect place to end up after a few pre-drinks. From what we’ve experienced so far, the Railway has a buzzing atmosphere and a lot of exciting things going on!

We’re looking forward to visiting the Railway more, especially to try their Sunday Roast and bottomless brunch on the weekend!

14. The Fox and Hounds

🤩 BEST FOR: STUDENT VIBES AND CHEAP DRINKS

✅ OUTDOOR SPACE

🎵 LATE NIGHT DJ AND LICENCE

🥕 SUNDAY ROASTS

🍻 KARAOKE EVENTS

🏉 LIVE SPORTS

The Fox and Hounds pub is right opposite Putney mainline station, and is known for its cheap student prices and events.

It also has a late-night licence so you can head there towards the end of the night. Oh, and it’s right next to a kebab shop. Could you predict more of a sticky floor night?

Getting around Putney

Southwest London isn’t as tricky to drive in as Central London, and most people in the area own a car. If you’re visiting for a short amount of time, it may be worth hiring a car to get around to some of the parks, attractions and museums. 

If you’re looking to hire a car in London, we rent our cars from this company. They’re reliable, cheap and have car rentals all over the world!  ➡ You can check out the prices for car hire in London now!

If you don’t want to drive, there are regular trains until midnight and buses in Putney 24 hours a day. You can use your contactless card on both trains and buses in London. 

For cheap train tickets to and from London, check out Trainline. We book with them whenever we are leaving the city, and want to get to other locations in the UK (including airports). ➡ CHECK TRAIN PRICES NOW!

Best pubs in Putney: FAQs

1) Is Putney good for nightlife?

Putney has great nightlife with many pubs, cocktail bars and even a late-late-night club (Fez). Whilst it’s not as chaotic as its neighbour Clapham, you can enjoy a good night out in Putney. Some of the best social spots in Putney include Tequila Mockingbird (regular DJs and a dancefloor), Revs (aka Revolution), the East Putney Tavern (for live music) and Fez (for a night that goes past midnight).

2) What is the old pub in Putney?

The oldest pub in Putney is the Bricklayer’s Arms. It was built in 1826.

3) Is Putney safe?

Yes, Putney is a safe area of London. As a female, I have never felt unsafe walking around Putney at night or even after midnight. Of course, as anywhere, you have to be sensible and aware of your surroundings, but on the whole, Putney is a safe place to live. Locals are friendly, and there are lots of opportunities to join clubs and make friends.

Nightlife on the high street (especially Thursday-Saturday) can get busy; but attracts a more sensible crowd than its neighbours Kingston and Clapham.

Visiting London? Check out my post: Is London Safe for Solo Women Backpackers? 11 Handy Tips.

4) Is Putney nice?

Yes. If you’re a nature fan, it’s a great area to visit or live in for all the outdoor and green spaces. Whilst you’re close to Richmond Park and Putney Heath, you’re also surrounded by restaurants, bars, clubs and cafes. In my opinion, it’s one of the nicest areas in London.

Related posts: Best Bars in Putney: A Local’s Guide | Best Cafes in Putney: Coffee & Co-Working

Best Pubs in Putney: In a Nutshell

So, there you have it! Everything you need to know about the best pubs in Putney. When you’re planning a trip to Southwest London, make sure you let me know over on Instagram or in the comments below!

If you haven’t seen my blog before, I write posts aimed at first-time backpackers on a budget. I’m travelling around the world with my boyfriend (read more here!), creating guides and itineraries for you to follow in our footsteps!

Keep an eye out for more London content, all written from a personal and realistic point of view. You can sign up for my newsletter and juicy travel updates here!

As always, thanks for reading and supporting the blog!

Happy travelling 🙂

Jennie x

Other Southwest London posts:

• BEST Restaurants in Putney: Updated Guide
• Walks Near Putney: Putney Heath, Putney River Walk & Beyond
• Fun Things To Do In Putney, London: A Local’s Guide