The Elephant Inn, pool in North Finchley

Photo: The Elephant Inn (Fuller's)

The Elephant Inn: Pool & Snooker in North Finchley, London

Free entryWalk-in1 tableSports barPool league

283 Ballards Lane, Finchley, London · N12 8NR · Mo-Th 12:00-23:00; Fr-Sa 12:00-00:00; Su 12:00-22:30

The Elephant Inn is a Fuller's pub on Ballards Lane in North Finchley with an open pool table in its sports bar. It is a Finchley Pool League member pub, so the table sees regular league play, but it is open for casual games too. You walk in, no booking, and there is darts, big-screen sport and Thai food alongside the usual Fuller's beer.\n\nIt suits anyone after a relaxed game of pool in a proper local rather than a dedicated pool hall. The pub splits into four areas, from a loud sports bar to a quieter lounge and a restaurant room, so you can pick your mood. Pool sits in the sports-bar end, near the screens and the darts. Bring a few mates, grab a drink and a curry, and play between the football.

The pool setup

There is one open pool table, set in the sports-bar section of the pub. It is a Finchley Pool League member venue, so on league nights the table is in use for fixtures, but the rest of the time it is there for casual games. The sports bar is the liveliest of the four rooms, with big screens for football and rugby and a darts board alongside. It is a single table in a busy local, not a multi-table hall, so on a packed match day you may wait your turn.

Good to know

No booking, you just walk in. The pub is open from noon every day, with later closes on Friday and Saturday. Kitchen runs Thai food until about 21:30, so you can eat while you play. There is air conditioning and step-free access. It is a Fuller's pub, so expect their cask and keg range at the bar. The four sections mean you can retreat to the quieter lounge or restaurant room if the sports bar gets loud. Live music lands on some Fridays.

Getting there

You will find it on Ballards Lane in North Finchley, postcode N12 8NR. West Finchley and Woodside Park on the Northern line are both a short walk, and plenty of buses run along Ballards Lane. It sits in the North Finchley town centre stretch, so there are shops and other spots nearby if you are making an evening of it.

Get directions

Common questions

What is The Elephant Inn?
It is a Fuller's pub at 283 Ballards Lane in North Finchley, N12 8NR. It has a sports bar with an open pool table, darts and big-screen sport, plus Thai food and a quieter lounge and restaurant room.
Does The Elephant Inn have a pool table?
Yes. There is one open pool table in the sports-bar section. The pub is a Finchley Pool League member venue, so it is used for league fixtures as well as casual games.
Is pool free at The Elephant Inn?
There is no published pool price. It is a standard pub open table rather than a booked, paid setup, so check at the bar when you arrive.
Do I need to book to play pool?
No. You walk in, there is no booking. On busy match days or league nights you may have to wait for the single table.
What are the opening hours?
Noon to 23:00 Monday to Thursday, noon to midnight Friday and Saturday, and noon to 22:30 on Sunday. Food runs until around 21:30.
What is the nearest station?
West Finchley and Woodside Park on the Northern line are both within walking distance, and buses run along Ballards Lane.

Other pool & snooker bars nearby