Turning South: Places to go in South London

East London is a mecca for all that’s deservedly trendy. But because we know there’s too much fun in London to fit in the East, we’ve picked the best London hangouts at the other points of the compass. This week, some great London experiences in the South.

A beautiful mix of gentrified leafiness and up-and-coming urban cool, the south is a tricky area to quantify. Hemmed in on either side by the sloping lawns of Greenwich and the Dulwich Picture Gallery and its surrounding residential calm, Brixton and Peckham have a raw trendiness that most of East London has long polished away.

Put the opposites together, and it’s an atmosphere in which cultural energy thrives, and the venues in south London pulse with earnest, creative energy. For those looking for a diverse as well as trendy area, London’s south is hard to beat. There are restaurants and dining experiences aplenty from the southbank and outwards, but the most interesting places in south London we’ve selected are, we think, a better representation of that area’s infinite variety. From the best south London bars to rooftop cinema and jolly community board games, there’s something for every kind of whim.

Cool Places in South London

Cave, Bermondsey

Cave - Bermondsey’s wine, flowers and chocolate specialists - is combined with a meeting place and social hub for locals. The distinctive rustic interior by designer and founder Jack Alexander means whether you’re browsing wines or exploring an arts pop-up in the shop, the ambience is just right.

210 Bermondsey Street, SE1 3TQ 

Studio 338, Greenwich

Hurrah, Greenwich now has a Waitrose and a mega-club. Of the clubs in South London , Studio 338, Greenwich (formerly THAT club) is a must-visit. It has a newly-built terrace on which to party all night and a powerhouse of a sound system, which has attracted some of Europe’s biggest DJs in house and techno to make your summer nights even hotter.

338 Tunnel Avenue, Boord Street, SE10 0PF

The Bussey Building, Peckham

For those after an unconventional film experience, rooftop cinema London venue of choice is the approachable Bussey Building. Run by the Chronic Love Foundation in fearsomely cool Peckham, it also hosts an array of club nights and events. The Victorian industrial structure has been completely reconceptualized as a community space hosting cultural events and art shows, as well as the famed outdoor cinema screenings.

133 Rya Lane, SE15 4ST

Free Film Festivals: Herne Hill, Camberwell, Peckham, Nunhead, New Cross, Deptford

South London’s cinema shortage is addressed by this jolly community group which runs free film screenings in neighbourhood venues, and Free Film Festivals. 2014 is a great year for film hungry families in the capital: these free events host filmmaking workshops and animation sessions for adults and children as well as hosting outdoor screenings. 

Luna OpenAir Cinema, Various locations including Dulwich and Battersea

Billing itself as the No 1open air cinema, London producers Luna brings classic films back to the big screen in beautiful settings around London and the rest of the country. Dulwich Park and Battersea Park are two leafy marvels in the south of the city hosting kitsch classics and modern marvels alike this summer.

Board Games and Beyond: the Ritzy, Brixton

For the ultra-retro pastime of a board game night, London is stepping up its game. Monopoly, Scrabble and other old favourites are enjoyed over drinks in Brixton on the second Monday of every month at the trendy Ritzy Picturehouse. Game novices and enthusiasts get down to some friendly competition at strategy games, skill games, family games, party games.

Brixton Oval, Coldharbour Lane, SW2 1JG

Champagne and Fromage, Brixton

A gentrification too far? With Champagne and Fromage - Brixton Village’s most polarising venue - locals are divided, but the quality of produce here for sale and on site consumption is undeniable. Set in the heart of the achingly cool Village, the sheer luxury is quite the antidote to the excessive numbers of filthy burger pop-ups saturating the city.

Unit 10-11, Brixton Village, SW9 8PR

Gremio de Brixton , Brixton

This is yummy Spanish tapas in an atmospheric, candlelit setting in the crypt of St Matthew’s Church - with Spanish guitar music gently thrumming in the background. As well as providing authentic Castilian fare from fine fresh ingredients, there is a cocktail lounge with latin, funk and soul music from live DJs at the weekends.Serving some of the best Spanish tapas, London gem Gremio de Brixton is not to be missed.

The Crypt, St Matthews Church, Effra Rd, London SW2 1JF

Brixton Book Jam, Brixton

Brixton Book Jam - Hootananny stalwart - is a free literary salon in the fun Brixton music venue. The Book Jam is a free event for literature lovers - a mix of readings, talks and socialising open to anybody with a love of the printed word. There is also a kids’ Book Jam to broaden the cultural appeal for your bookish brood.

6 Somerleyton Road, SW9 8ND

Secret Wine Suppers, the Rookery, Clapham Common

One of the best events in South West London: Supperclub nights with wine supplied by A Grape Night In offer unbelievably good food and fantastic service. At a secret location in November, The Rookery creates the menu and the luxury wine tasting pop-up duo A Grape Night In collaborate for an evening of top notch food and drink.

The Doodle Bar , Battersea

The Doodle Bar is an arts and events warehouse space plus café where punters are encouraged to express themselves through chalk. Featuring organic fine wine, cocktails, and a variety of street food including slow-cooked pork sandwiches and gourmet burgers - and if you get bored of that indulge your artistic side on one of the wall-spanning blackboards.

33 Parkgate Road, London, SW11 4NP

By the Horns Brewery , Tooting

Drink, shop, take a tour, and enjoy the occasional pop-up BBQ at this craft beer brewery. London 2011: two friends took their passion for fine beer from the garage and into the craft beer market, and By the Horns is born. This small batch brewery boasts a host of carefully crafted ales, keg and bottled beers - including the award-winning Lambeth Walk London porter.

25 Summerstown, London, SW17 0BQ

Hagen & Hyde , Balham

Antic runs local independents all over the city, including this fresh fish restaurant. London looks over its culinary past in the ‘colonial British’ dishes, alongside the cracking seafood. It has an amazing outdoor space over three levels and it’s worth popping in for their daily £5 cocktail. Alongside cornish crab risotto and pan fried sea bass, you get a real taste of the London craft beer scene - Hagen & Hyde boasts 10 real ales from local breweries including By The Horns, and favourite of Hagen and Hyde: London Fields.

157 Balham High Road, London, SW12 9AU

Little Bar, Tooting

Find great cocktails and great service in this tiny, very sweet little space. Classic cocktail fare like Old-Fashioneds and Bellinis sit alongside specialist south London cocktails like the SW17 (an English twist on a classy champagne cocktail, featuring Somerset apple brandy). There is also a small selection of carefully selected beers, again showing local support with one of By The Horns’ craft brews.

145 Mitcham Road, London, SW17 9PE