The Avalon: Pub in Balham, London

The Avalon is a food-led venue in SW12, and the programming follows the food. Dinner is the start of the night, and DJs tend to take over once the plates are cleared. Quizzes are part of the mix too, the kind of low-key evening where regulars and first-timers end up at the same table. It suits people who like a meal that doesn't end when the kitchen closes. If you want a night that starts with dinner and drifts into music, this is the room to look for. Groups tend to come for the food and stay for the atmosphere, and the pace stays easy. Expect a neighbourhood crowd and an easy room. Pick the format that suits your night, then see what's coming up below.