The Bird in Hand, pool in Forest Hill

Photo: WhatPub / CAMRA

The Bird in Hand: Pool & Snooker in Forest Hill, London

FreeWalk-in1 tableReal alesLive sport

35 Dartmouth Road, Forest Hill, London · SE23 3HN · Tu-Fr 16:00-23:00; Sa 12:00-23:00; Su 12:00-22:30

The Bird in Hand is a smart Victorian corner local on Dartmouth Road in Forest Hill, run by Antic since a 2023 refurbishment. It suits anyone who wants a proper neighbourhood pub with a free pool table, changing real ales and live sport on the screens. The most useful thing to know: the pool table sits in the raised rear area, up a couple of steps from the main bar, so you get a bit of space away from the front-of-house crowd.

It is bright and airy at the front and a touch more muted in back, with a small side patio that turns into a sun-trap in summer. Note it is shut on Mondays and opens late on weekdays, so plan a midweek game for the evening rather than the afternoon.

The pool setup

There is one pool table, set in the raised rear seating area a couple of steps up from the main bar. That puts it slightly out of the way of the busier front room, so you are not jostling drinkers while you line up a shot. It is a casual local pub table rather than a dedicated games room, so expect a single board and a relaxed walk-in approach. Best bet is a quieter weekday evening if you want a clear run on the table, since weekends draw a livelier sport and drinks crowd.

Good to know

The pub is closed all day Monday. Tuesday to Friday it opens at 4pm and runs to 11pm, so daytime games are out midweek. Saturday it opens at noon until 11pm, and Sunday from noon to 10:30pm. It is an Antic pub with changing real ales and a full bar, plus live sport on the screens. There is a small side patio that catches the sun in summer if you want a break between frames.

Get directions

Common questions

What is The Bird in Hand?
It is a smart Victorian corner local on Dartmouth Road in Forest Hill, run by Antic, with a front bar, a raised rear area, changing real ales, live sport and a pool table.
Is the pool table free?
It is listed as a free pool table in a pubs-with-pool-tables directory. Treat it as a standard pub table with no booking.
Do I need to book to play pool?
No. It is a walk-in local pub, so just turn up. A quieter weekday evening gives you the best shot at a clear table.
How many pool tables are there?
One, in the raised rear seating area up a couple of steps from the main bar.
What are the opening hours?
Closed Monday. Tuesday to Friday 4pm to 11pm, Saturday noon to 11pm, and Sunday noon to 10:30pm.
Where is The Bird in Hand?
35 Dartmouth Road, Forest Hill, London SE23 3HN, near Forest Hill station.

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