The Clapham Tap, darts in Clapham

Photo: CAMRA / WhatPub

The Clapham Tap: Darts in London

FreeWalk-inBeer gardenGroupsGarden games

128 Clapham Manor Street, Clapham, London · SW4 6ED · Mo-Th 16:00-23:00; Fr 16:00-24:00; Sa 12:00-24:00; Su 12:00-23:00

The Clapham Tap is a craft-beer pub on Clapham Manor Street with a free dartboard out in its heated beer garden, so you just turn up and play. It sits in a side street a couple of minutes off Clapham High Street, which makes it an easy spot for a casual game with friends rather than a serious league night. The board lives in the garden games area alongside table tennis, table football and boules, all free to use, so a group can rotate between them across an afternoon or evening.

There is no kitchen, but Yard Sale Pizza gets delivered to the pub, and the bar runs to roughly 20 draught taps of craft beer and cider. The garden is roomy and heated, so it works year round. Doors open at noon on weekends and from 4pm on weekdays.

The darts setup

The dartboard is out in the beer garden, in the games area rather than indoors, and it is free to use. You do not book it and there is no automatic scoring or fixed oche, so it works best as a relaxed knock-about with friends rather than a structured match. Because it shares the garden with the other games, it is worth grabbing it early on a busy weekend afternoon. Bring or borrow a set of arrows and you are away. This is a pub board, so expect to play casually and take turns with whoever else is using the space.

Good to know

Nothing here is bookable and nothing costs extra to play, so you can just walk in. The garden is heated and roomy, which means the games hold up outside summer. There is no kitchen, but Yard Sale Pizza is delivered to the pub, so you can eat without leaving. The bar leans heavily on craft beer and cider, with around 20 draught taps plus changing cask and a couple of ciders. Weekday opening starts at 4pm, so darts during the day is a weekend thing, when doors open at noon.

More than darts

The garden games area is the real draw here, and darts is one of four free options. Alongside the board you get table tennis, table football and boules, all free to use, which makes the pub a strong pick for a group that wants to keep moving rather than sit at one table. You can rotate between them across an afternoon. Pair that with the craft tap list and delivered pizza and you have a full session without leaving the garden. It suits casual groups and beginners far more than competitive darts players.

Get directions

Common questions

Does The Clapham Tap have darts?
Yes. There is a dartboard in the pub's heated beer garden, set in a games area alongside table tennis, table football and boules. All of them are free to use.
Is darts free at The Clapham Tap?
Yes. The dartboard is free to play, as are the other garden games (table tennis, table football and boules). You just need to buy a drink as you would in any pub.
Do you need to book to play darts at The Clapham Tap?
No. There is no booking and no timed session. Just walk in and use the garden dartboard when it is free, though it is worth getting there early on a busy weekend.
What else can you play at The Clapham Tap?
The garden games area has table tennis, table football and boules as well as darts, plus board games inside. All the garden games are free to use.
Is there food at The Clapham Tap?
There is no kitchen, but Yard Sale Pizza is delivered to the pub, so you can order food on site. The bar focuses on craft beer and cider with around 20 draught taps.
What are The Clapham Tap's opening hours?
Monday to Thursday 4pm to 11pm, Friday 4pm to midnight, Saturday noon to midnight, and Sunday noon to 11pm.
What is the nearest station to The Clapham Tap?
Clapham High Street (Overground) is closest at about a 3 minute walk, with Clapham Common and Clapham North tube stations both nearby.

Other darts bars nearby