The Woodpecker, pool in Battersea (SW11)

Photo: CAMRA WhatPub

The Woodpecker: Pool & Snooker in Battersea, London

FreeWalk-in1 tablePool leagueLive music

42-44 Battersea High Street, Battersea, London · SW11 3HX · Mo-Th 14:00-23:00; Fr-Sa 14:00-01:30; Su 12:00-23:00

The Woodpecker is a Battersea High Street pub with a pool table that gets plenty of use, and it is a home venue for the Battersea & District Pool League. If you want a casual, low-key spot to rack up a few frames over a pint, this is a proper local rather than a polished bar. The table is free to play, you just pop coins in, and there is no booking. Alongside the pool there are darts, karaoke and an open mic on Wednesdays, plus live music most nights.

One thing worth knowing before you go: the pub has been closed for a major refurbishment since early February 2026, with reopening expected around the start of July 2026. Call ahead on 020 8191 9292 to check it is back open and that the table is in.

The pool setup

There is a pool table that, by the pub's own account, barely stops. It is a standard coin-operated pub table, so you feed it some change and play, no cue hire desk or table booking to worry about. As a home venue for the Battersea & District Pool League, expect league nights when fixtures take over the table, so it is worth checking before you turn up if you want a clear run. Outside of league play it is first come, first served, the way most local pub tables work. Bring your own chalk habits and patience on a busy night.

Good to know

Pool sits alongside darts, karaoke and a Wednesday open mic, with live music on most nights, so this leans social rather than quiet. There is a garden if you want air between frames. Note the pub closed for a major refurbishment in early February 2026, with reopening expected around 1 July 2026, so phone 020 8191 9292 before travelling to confirm it is open and the table is back in. Hours run afternoons into late, with Friday and Saturday going to 1:30am, which suits a late session.

Get directions

Common questions

What is The Woodpecker?
It is a pub on Battersea High Street in SW11 with a pool table, darts, karaoke and live music. It is a home venue for the Battersea & District Pool League.
Is the pool free at The Woodpecker?
The table is a standard coin-operated pub pool table, so you pay a small amount in coins per game rather than booking or paying an entry fee.
Do you need to book a pool table?
No. It is walk-in, first come first served. The exception is Battersea & District Pool League nights, when fixtures use the table, so check ahead if you just want a casual game.
How many pool tables does it have?
There is one pool table.
What are the opening hours?
Monday to Thursday 2pm to 11pm, Friday and Saturday 2pm to 1:30am, and Sunday noon to 11pm. Note it has been closed for refurbishment, with reopening expected around July 2026.
Where is The Woodpecker?
42-44 Battersea High Street, Battersea, London SW11 3HX. The nearest stations are Clapham Junction and Battersea Park.

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