The Regent, darts in Balham

Photo: Tripadvisor

The Regent: Darts in Balham, London

FreeWalk-inDarts nightGroupsFood & cocktailsSports bar

The Regent is a big sports-and-music pub on Chestnut Grove, a few steps from Balham station, and it runs a darts night every Tuesday that anyone can join. It is the old Balham Tup, now an independent-feeling local with reclaimed oak tables, booth seating, exposed brick and a proper garden out back. The most useful thing to know: the darts is a casual weekly fixture rather than a bookable oche product, and it openly welcomes both regulars and first-timers, so you can rock up, grab a pint and have a go.

It suits groups who want a relaxed throw alongside live sport on the big screens, food, and cocktails. Come Tuesday for the darts, or any day for the sport.

Contact

  • Address 21 Chestnut Grove, Balham, London, SW12 8JB

Opening hours

  • Mon 12:00-23:00
  • Tue 12:00-23:00
  • Wed 12:00-23:00
  • Thu 12:00-23:00
  • Fri 12:00-00:00
  • Sat 11:00-01:00
  • Sun 12:00-22:30

The darts setup

Darts here is a weekly social fixture, not a tech-led booking experience. Every Tuesday night the pub runs a darts session that welcomes seasoned players and complete beginners side by side, so there is no pressure to be any good. It is a traditional pub board rather than a wall of automatic-scoring oches, which keeps it friendly and low-key. Expect to play casually around your pint rather than book a timed lane. Because it doubles as a sports bar, you can keep half an eye on whatever is on the big screens while you throw. If darts is your main reason for coming, Tuesday is the night to aim for.

Good to know

This is a free-entry pub, so you can just walk in, and there was no ticket or booking found for the Tuesday darts. The kitchen runs through the day with burgers, sharing plates and a well-known Sunday roast, plus a cocktail club deal of two for £18 if you fancy something other than a pint. Beyond darts, the week is busy: a Sunday pub quiz (the Quiz of Legends, with a £75 bar tab up for grabs), live music on Fridays and Saturdays, bottomless brunch on Saturdays, and all-day sport on giant screens. The garden is a good shout in summer.

Getting there

The Regent sits at 21 Chestnut Grove, SW12 8JB, basically on the doorstep of Balham station, which puts the Northern line and National Rail services about a minute's walk away. That makes it an easy meet-up spot from across south and central London without sorting a car. It is the former Balham Tup, so if you remember the old name you are in the right place. With the station that close, it works well as the first or last stop on a night out, and the late Friday and Saturday hours give you room to stay on after the darts winds down.

Common questions

What is The Regent in Balham?
The Regent is a large sports-and-music pub on Chestnut Grove in Balham, the former Balham Tup. It serves food and cocktails, shows live sport on giant screens, and runs a casual darts night every Tuesday that is open to everyone.
Is darts free at The Regent?
Yes. The Regent is a free-entry pub and the weekly Tuesday darts night is a casual session rather than a ticketed or bookable product, so there is no charge found to come and play. You just buy drinks and food as normal.
Do you need to book to play darts, or can you just walk in?
You can just walk in. The Tuesday darts night welcomes both regular players and first-timers, and there is no booking system found for it, so turning up is fine.
What night is the darts at The Regent?
The darts runs every Tuesday night. The rest of the week the pub leans on live sport, a Sunday quiz, fortnightly live music on Fridays and Saturdays, and Saturday bottomless brunch.
Is The Regent good for beginners and groups?
Yes. The Tuesday darts night specifically welcomes first-time players alongside more seasoned ones, and the pub has plenty of space, big screens, food and cocktails, which makes it an easy spot for a group.
What is the nearest station to The Regent?
Balham station is the nearest, roughly a minute's walk away, with the Northern line and National Rail. The pub's full address is 21 Chestnut Grove, Balham, London SW12 8JB.

Other darts bars nearby