The Alfred, pool in Sydenham

Photo: WhatPub / CAMRA

The Alfred: Pool & Snooker in Sydenham, London

FreeWalk-inPool tablePool leagueDartsGroups

178 Sydenham Road, London · SE26 5RP · Mo-Th 11:00-23:00; Fr-Sa 11:00-00:00; Su 12:00-00:00

The Alfred is a proper local pub on Sydenham Road in SE26, the kind of place you go for a pint and a frame rather than a polished cue-sports bar. It suits anyone after a relaxed game of pool with mates, and the single most useful thing to know is that the table is casual and free to use: grab a drink at the bar, ask staff to borrow a cue, and you are away.

It runs as a member pub in the Lewisham Wednesday Pool League, so the standard can be sharper than you'd expect on league nights. Otherwise it is darts, Sky TV, a jukebox and a wide spread of lagers, ales, wines and spirits. No frills, no booking, just a friendly south London boozer with a pool table in the corner.

The pool setup

There is a pool table tucked in among the usual pub games. Nothing fancy and nothing to pre-book: after you have a drink in hand, ask any of the staff to lend you a cue and you can rack up. The pub is a member of the Lewisham Wednesday Pool League, so if you turn up on a league night expect the table to be in use and the regulars to know what they are doing. On a quieter evening it is a relaxed knockabout. Darts is on offer too if the table is taken.

Good to know

Hours run roughly 11:00 to 23:00 Monday to Wednesday, later to midnight or 1am towards the weekend, and from noon on Sunday, though the official site notes times are at the manager's discretion so it is worth a call on 020 8778 2589 first. The pool table itself is free, you just buy drinks. Expect a wide selection of lagers, beers and craft ales, plus wines, prosecco and a good range of gins and spirits. There is Sky TV, a jukebox and occasional live music and karaoke nights.

Get directions

Common questions

What is The Alfred in Sydenham?
It is a local pub at 178 Sydenham Road, SE26 5RP, with a pool table, darts, Sky TV and a full bar. It is a member of the Lewisham Wednesday Pool League.
Is pool free at The Alfred?
Yes. The table is casual and free to use. You just ask staff to borrow a cue and pay only for your drinks.
Do I need to book a pool table?
No. It is walk-in only. Buy a drink, ask the bar for a cue and play when the table is free.
How many pool tables does it have?
It is a single-table pub. On Wednesday league nights the table is likely to be busy with league play.
What are the opening hours?
Roughly 11:00 to 23:00 Monday to Wednesday, later towards the weekend, and from noon on Sunday. Times are at the manager's discretion, so call 020 8778 2589 to confirm.
What is the nearest station?
Sydenham Road is served by Sydenham station, a short walk away, with the pub sitting on the main road through SE26.

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