Purley Social Club, pool in South Croydon

Photo: WhatPub / CAMRA

Purley Social Club: Pool & Snooker in South Croydon, London

Pool tableSnookerMembers clubDartsWalk-in

60 Whytecliffe Road South, South Croydon · CR8 2AW · Mo-Tu 19:00-00:00; Th-Sa 19:00-00:00

Purley Social Club is a CIU members club on Whytecliffe Road South, just up from Purley town centre, and it has been going since the 1870s. It is the kind of unfussy local where the games room does the talking: two full-size snooker tables, a pool table, four dartboards and a skittles lane, all behind a members-only bar. It suits people who want a cheap regular game close to home rather than a flashy night out. The single most useful thing to know is that it is members-only, so the bar and tables are for members and their guests, not casual walk-ins off the street. The good news is they actively welcome new members, so joining is the way in. Evenings only, and closed Wednesday and Sunday.

The games setup

This is a proper games club, not a pub with a single table in the corner. You get one pool table alongside two full-size professional-standard snooker tables, four dartboards and a skittles lane, so there is plenty going on across the room. The two full-size snooker tables are the standout, the sort of kit serious players look for and harder to find in a casual venue. With darts and skittles in the mix too, it works well for a group that wants more than one thing to do over an evening.

Good to know

It is a CIU-affiliated members club, which means the bar and the tables are for members and their guests rather than walk-ins. The club welcomes new members, so if you want regular access the route is to join rather than turn up once. It is evenings only: open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 7pm to midnight, and closed Wednesday and Sunday. Worth a phone call on 020 8660 5488 before a first visit to check membership and guest rules.

Get directions

Common questions

What is Purley Social Club?
It is a long-running CIU members club on Whytecliffe Road South in South Croydon, with a games room covering pool, snooker, darts and skittles behind a members-only bar.
Is Purley Social Club free?
No. It is a members club, so the bar and tables are for members and their guests. It is not a free public walk-in venue.
Can I just walk in to play pool?
Not as a casual member of the public. The bar is open only to members and their guests, though the club does welcome new members if you want to join.
How many pool and snooker tables are there?
There is one pool table plus two full-size professional-standard snooker tables, along with four dartboards and a skittles lane.
What are the opening hours?
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 7pm to midnight. It is closed on Wednesday and Sunday.
Can I become a member?
Yes, the club welcomes new members. Contact them on 020 8660 5488 to ask about joining and guest rules.

Other pool & snooker bars nearby