The Doodle Bar, ping-pong in Bermondsey / Tower Bridge

Photo: Tripadvisor

The Doodle Bar: Ping Pong in Bermondsey, London

FreeWalk-inTable tennisGroupsDate nightCraft beer

60 Druid Street · SE1 2EZ · We 17:00-23:00; Th 12:00-23:00; Fr 12:00-00:00; Sa 12:00-00:00

The Doodle Bar is a warehouse bar in a Bermondsey railway arch, just back from Tower Bridge, where the table tennis is free to play. You get a cavernous brick-walled room with craft beer, cocktails and burgers up front, and a long arch at the back lined with chalkboards and ping pong tables down the middle. Bring a group, grab a bat and a drink, and rally between scribbling on the walls.

It suits a casual night out, a low-key date or a small group who want something to do beyond standing around a table. The single most useful thing to know: it is closed Monday and Tuesday and only opens from Wednesday evening, so check the day before you head over.

The ping pong setup

The table tennis lives in a long, narrow arch at the back, with chalkboards running down both walls and the tables lined up in the middle. Play itself is free, which is rare in London. You hand over a deposit at the bar or to the door staff in exchange for bats and balls, and get it back when you return the kit. The same space doubles as the doodling wall, so expect chalk dust and a relaxed, slightly chaotic feel rather than a serious sports setup. It works best for casual rallies between drinks, not league-grade matches.

Good to know

The bar is closed Monday and Tuesday. It opens Wednesday from 5pm, then noon onwards Thursday to Saturday, running late to midnight on Friday and Saturday. There is no charge to walk in and no booking needed for the tables on a normal night, though the arch can get busy at weekends. Drinks lean toward craft beer and cocktails, and the kitchen does burgers and fries. Larger groups and private hire are handled separately, so message ahead if there are a lot of you.

Getting there

You will find it in a railway arch on Druid Street in Bermondsey, a short walk from Tower Bridge and the Bermondsey Beer Mile. London Bridge is the nearest mainline and Underground station, roughly ten minutes on foot, with Bermondsey on the Jubilee line also within reach. It sits among a run of breweries and taprooms, so it pairs well with a wider crawl along the arches if you want to make a longer evening of it.

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Common questions

What is The Doodle Bar?
It is a warehouse-style bar in a Bermondsey railway arch with chalkboard walls you can draw on and free ping pong tables, serving craft beer, cocktails and burgers.
Is the ping pong free at The Doodle Bar?
Yes, playing is free. You leave a refundable deposit for the bats and balls and get it back when you hand the kit in.
Do you need to book or can you walk in?
You can walk in. No booking is needed for the tables on a normal night, though it gets busier at weekends. Larger groups should message ahead about private hire.
What are The Doodle Bar opening hours?
Wednesday 5pm to 11pm, Thursday noon to 11pm, Friday and Saturday noon to midnight. It is closed Monday and Tuesday.
Where is The Doodle Bar and what is the nearest station?
It is at 60 Druid Street, SE1 2EZ, in Bermondsey near Tower Bridge. London Bridge station is about ten minutes on foot.
Is The Doodle Bar good for groups?
Yes. The ping pong arch and chalkboard walls suit groups and casual dates, and there is craft beer, cocktails and food alongside.

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