Afters, pool in Clapham

Photo: Afters / Nightcap

Afters: Pool & Snooker in Clapham, London

Free poolWalk-in1 tableLate nightCocktailsGroups

38 Clapham High Street, London · SW4 7UR · Mo-Th 18:00-02:00; Fr-Sa 17:00-02:30; Su 18:00-00:00

Afters is a late-night dive bar on Clapham High Street with a busy pool table you play for free. Think red lights, a disco ball, deep sofas and cocktails until very late. It suits anyone who wants a casual game with mates rather than a serious break-tip session, and the single most useful thing to know is that the table gets busy, so expect to wait your turn on a Friday or Saturday.

It opens evenings only and runs late, so this is a post-dinner or pre-club spot, not a daytime hang. Happy hour from 6pm helps if you arrive early.

The pool setup

There is one pool table sitting in the middle of the action, not tucked away in a back room. It gets busy, and the venue itself jokes that it is a table you will want to queue for, so winner-stays-on is the unofficial rule once it fills up. Lighting is low and red with a disco ball overhead, which is great for atmosphere and less great for lining up a long pot. Come for a relaxed game with friends rather than a precise solo practice session, and grab the table early in the evening before the crowd builds.

Good to know

Afters is a Nightcap group dive bar, so it is drinks-led: cocktails, pints and a short food menu of snacks and tenders. It opens evenings only and runs late, until 2am most nights and 2:30am on Friday and Saturday. Happy hour runs 6pm to 8pm daily except Saturday, so arrive early if you want the cheaper rounds. You walk in rather than book a table for pool, though the venue also does space hire for groups. Food service stops around 10pm.

Get directions

Common questions

What is Afters in Clapham?
It is a late-night dive bar at 38 Clapham High Street, SW4 7UR, run by the Nightcap group. Expect cocktails, pints, low red lighting, a disco ball and a busy pool table.
Is pool free at Afters?
Yes, the pool table is listed as a free-to-play example. You just turn up and play; there are no per-game coins to feed.
Do you need to book to play pool?
No, it is walk-in. There is a single table that gets busy, so be ready to wait your turn on weekend nights. The venue does offer space hire for larger groups if you want a reserved area.
How many pool tables does Afters have?
One. It sits out on the bar floor rather than in a separate room, so it is part of the main action.
What are Afters opening hours?
Monday to Thursday 6pm to 2am, Friday and Saturday 5pm to 2:30am, and Sunday 6pm to midnight. It is an evening and late-night venue with no daytime opening.
What is the nearest station to Afters?
It is on Clapham High Street, a short walk from Clapham Common and Clapham North stations, with Clapham High Street overground also close by.

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