The Horns Tavern, pool in West Norwood

Photo: CAMRA WhatPub

The Horns Tavern: Pool & Snooker in West Norwood, London

FreeWalk-in1 tableSports pubGroups

40 Knights Hill, West Norwood, London · SE27 0HY · Mo-Th 11:00-23:00; Fr-Sa 11:00-01:00; Su 12:00-23:00

The Horns Tavern is a proper West Norwood locals' pub on Knights Hill, the kind with a pool table in the corner, darts, sport on the screens and a beer garden out the back. It suits you if you want a relaxed game over a pint rather than a polished pool hall. There is one table, it runs on a walk-in basis, and you play between regulars and league nights, so the most useful thing to know is to come early evening or weekend afternoons if you want a clear shot at it.

This is a Craft Union community pub, so expect keen drink prices, a friendly crowd and a no-fuss atmosphere. It fields two teams in the South East London Pool League (SELPOOL), which tells you the table sees serious play as well as casual frames.

The pool setup

There is a single pool table here, the standard pub size, sitting alongside the darts in the main bar. You play casually whenever it is free, sharing it with the regulars, so winner-stays-on rules tend to apply on busier nights. Because the pub fields two SELPOOL league teams, the table gets booked out for home league fixtures, usually weekday evenings. If you just want a few frames with friends, aim for an afternoon or earlier in the evening when it is quieter and the table is more likely to be open.

Good to know

No booking and no entry fee to get in, it is a walk-in pub, so you just turn up and put your name down for the table. There is sport on several screens, a jukebox and a spacious beer garden, plus food during the day. Weekly fixtures worth knowing: afternoon bingo on Wednesday at 1pm, and quiz nights Thursday and Sunday at 7pm, both of which can tie up the room. Open late Friday and Saturday, closing around 1am, with last orders earlier in the week.

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Common questions

What is The Horns Tavern?
It is a traditional community pub on Knights Hill in West Norwood, with a pool table, darts, live sport, a jukebox and a beer garden. It is a Craft Union pub and fields two teams in the South East London Pool League.
How much does it cost to play pool at The Horns Tavern?
There is no entry fee to the pub. The single pool table is a standard pub table, so it is either free or coin-operated as is normal for pubs. We could not confirm an exact figure, so check at the bar.
Do you need to book the pool table?
No. It is a walk-in pub with one table, so you turn up and play when it is free. The table can be reserved for SELPOOL home league fixtures, usually on weekday evenings.
How many pool tables are there?
One. It sits in the main bar alongside the darts.
What are the opening hours?
Roughly Monday to Thursday 11:00 to 23:00, Friday and Saturday 11:00 until around 01:00, and Sunday 12:00 to 23:00. Listed hours vary slightly between sources, so confirm before a late visit.
What is the nearest station?
West Norwood station is the closest, a short walk away on the National Rail line into London Victoria and London Bridge.

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