May and Baker Sports & Social Club, pool in Dagenham / Romford (RM7)

Photo: May & Baker Sports and Social Club

May and Baker Sports & Social Club: Pool & Snooker in Dagenham, London

Free entryPoolDartsMembers clubGroups

Dagenham Road, Dagenham · RM7 0QX · Mo 16:00-22:30; Tu-Th 16:00-21:30; Fr 16:00-23:00; Sa 12:00-23:00; Su 12:00-21:30

May & Baker Sports and Social Club is an old members club in Dagenham, just off Dagenham Road in the RM7 patch between Romford and Dagenham. It started in 1945 for workers at the May & Baker chemical plant and still runs as a proper community club, with two bars, function rooms, a big sports ground and a games corner. For pool players it is worth knowing as a home club of the Barking & District Pool League, so there is a table and a regular crowd who take their frames seriously.

The single most useful thing: it keeps club hours, not pub hours. The bars open from the afternoon most days and from midday at weekends, and it is closed earlier in the week than a typical pub. Come for a relaxed game, a pint and darts rather than a slick bar.

The pool setup

This is a club table rather than a wall of them. The draw for pool players is the league side: May & Baker is a home club of the Barking & District Pool League, so on match nights you will find competitive eight-ball frames and players who know the local circuit. Outside league nights it is casual play alongside darts, sport on the TV and a couple of bars. If you want guaranteed table time it is worth ringing ahead, since the games area shares space with function bookings and league fixtures.

Good to know

It runs on club hours, not pub hours. The bars open from 4pm Monday to Friday and from midday on Saturday and Sunday, with later closes at the weekend. There are two bars, function rooms and several hundred parking spaces, though you register your car at the bar. It is family friendly with a big green sports ground attached. As a members and social club, expect a sign-in or membership setup rather than a walk-straight-in pub feel, so check on arrival.

Getting there

The club sits on Dagenham Road in the RM7 0QX corner between Romford and Dagenham, set back behind a large sports ground. There is plenty of free parking on site, which makes driving the easy option. By public transport it is a bus ride from Romford or Chadwell Heath stations rather than a short walk, so plan the last leg. The address can be vague on map apps, so search the full name and postcode to land in the right place.

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Common questions

What is May & Baker Sports and Social Club?
It is a long-running members sports and social club in Dagenham, off Dagenham Road in RM7. It dates back to 1945, has two bars and function rooms, a large sports ground, and a games area with pool and darts.
Does it have pool?
Yes. It has a pool table and is a home club of the Barking & District Pool League, so there are competitive league frames as well as casual play.
Is it free to play pool?
There is no published pay-per-game price. It runs as a members and social club rather than a paid pool hall, so check entry and table arrangements with the club directly.
Do you need to book or can you walk in?
There is no online booking for pool. As a members club you may need to sign in or be a member, and league nights can take over the table, so it is best to call ahead.
What are the opening hours?
The bars open Monday 4pm to 10:30pm, Tuesday to Thursday 4pm to 9:30pm, Friday 4pm to 11pm, Saturday midday to 11pm and Sunday midday to 9:30pm.
Where is it and is there parking?
It is on Dagenham Road, Dagenham, RM7 0QX, between Romford and Dagenham. There are several hundred parking spaces on site, and you register your car at the bar.

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