USSR (bar): Pool & Snooker in Tooting, London

Free entryMembers club2 pool tablesLive sportGroups

268 Balham High Road, Upper Tooting, London ยท SW17 7AJ

USSR is the local nickname for the United Services and Services Rendered Club, a CIU members social club sitting between Balham and Tooting on Balham High Road. It is a proper old-school working club, not a trendy bar, and the draw for pool players is that it runs two pool tables and is a home venue for the Battersea and District Pool League. If you want cheap club-bar pints and a genuine game on a busy table rather than a polished pool hall, this is your spot.

One thing to know up front: it is a members club, so the bar and tables are normally for members and their guests rather than walk-in strangers. Alongside the pool you get two bars, a jukebox, fruit machines, big-screen sport and live entertainment on Saturday nights.

The pool setup

There are two pool tables on site, with the club acting as a home venue for the Battersea and District Pool League. That league pulls in teams from across Battersea, Clapham, Wandsworth, Putney, Tooting, Balham and beyond, so on match nights the tables get competitive. Outside of fixtures it is casual club pool rather than a dedicated hall, sat in among two bars, a jukebox, fruit machines and a flat-screen showing the sport. If you play in a local team, you will likely end up here at some point.

Good to know

This is a CIU-affiliated members club, not an open bar, so the pool and the pints are normally for members and their guests rather than passing trade. That keeps prices low and the room friendly, but it is worth calling ahead on (020) 8672 4339 before turning up to check entry and whether the tables are free. There is live entertainment on Saturday nights, all the sports channels, and a private hall you can hire for parties and functions.

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Common questions

What is USSR in Balham?
USSR is the local name for the United Services and Services Rendered Club, a CIU members social club at 268 Balham High Road, between Balham and Tooting. It has two bars, two pool tables, live sport and Saturday entertainment.
Is the pool free to play at USSR?
It is a members club, so the bar and tables are run for members and their guests rather than charged like a commercial pool hall. There is no public ticket price; call ahead to check entry.
Can I just walk in to play pool?
Not really. As a CIU members club, entry is normally for members and signed-in guests rather than walk-in strangers, so phone (020) 8672 4339 first to check before you turn up.
How many pool tables does USSR have?
Two pool tables. The club is a home venue for the Battersea and District Pool League, so they see plenty of league play.
Where is USSR and what is the postcode?
268 Balham High Road, Upper Tooting, London SW17 7AJ, sat between Balham and Tooting Bec stations on the Northern line.
What else is there besides pool?
Two bars, a jukebox, fruit machines, big-screen sport on all the sports channels, live entertainment on Saturday nights and a private hall available for hire.

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