The Nott

Looking for London's most gloriously authentic pub experience? The Nott in London's Nine Elms is that rare unicorn where every night feels like you've stumbled into the most entertaining episode of Cheers ever filmed – if Cheers was set in a beloved London boozer with surprisingly amazing Chinese food.

Listen, I need you to forget everything you know about fancy gastropubs with their craft beer flights and artisanal bar snacks. The Nott is the kind of place where stories begin with "you'll never believe what happened..." and end with you making friends for life over impossibly affordable pints. Right opposite Nine Elms Underground, it's like the pub gods knew exactly where to place this gem for maximum accessibility after work.

You know those nights when you want somewhere that feels like your mate's living room, but with better drinks and zero judgment? THAT'S THIS PLACE. The salmon pink walls and retro furniture might make interior designers weep, but that's exactly what makes it perfect. It's like your eccentric aunt's house got a liquor license and decided to throw the best party in SW8.

The beer selection? Classic. The prices? RIDICULOUS (in the best way possible). We're talking London prices that feel like they've time-traveled from 2010. And let me tell you about the Chinese food situation – it's the plot twist you never knew you needed in a pub. Imagine crushing some seriously legit Chinese dishes while watching the match or destroying your mates at pool. It's the kind of brilliant combination that makes you wonder why every pub doesn't do this.

Speaking of entertainment, there's a pool table AND a dart board in the back, and they're FREE. FREE! In London! I'll give you a moment to recover from that information. The raised area becomes its own little tournament zone as the night goes on, complete with friendly heckling and improvised rule-making.

The regulars here are basically an unofficial comedy troupe, but the kind that welcomes new characters into the show. One minute you're quietly enjoying your pint, the next you're deep in conversation about whether London's best Guinness lives here (spoiler: strong contender) with someone who's been coming here since before you were born.

The space itself is massive by London pub standards, with enough room to actually move around without performing an interpretive dance routine just to reach the bar. And speaking of the bar – it runs the entire length of the room, because these people understand PRIORITIES. There are screens showing sports dotted around, but they never dominate the vibe. It's more like a convenient excuse to cheer randomly and high-five strangers.

Here's your insider intel: Get there early if you want one of the prime spots by the windows – perfect for people-watching while maintaining optimal distance to the bar. Cash isn't required but always appreciated. The Chinese kitchen has its own rhythm, so order food before you're actually hungry. And if someone challenges you to a game of darts, check their skill level by how confidently they stand at the line.

The Nott sits in that sweet spot between Vauxhall's shiny new developments and Wandsworth Road's old-school charm, like a beloved local holding its ground against the tide of London's endless reinvention. It's a proper London pub that remembers what proper London pubs are supposed to be – places where the beer is cold, the welcome is warm, and the nights are unpredictable in the best possible way.

Listen, you could spend your evening at some Instagram-bait rooftop bar paying £15 for a cocktail that's mostly dry ice and regret. OR you could join us at The Nott, where real London nights are still alive and kicking, and where every visit feels like you've discovered a secret level in the game of London living. Your choice – but I know where the best stories are happening tonight.