The Battersea Barge

Our Christmas party was here, amazing place.  The ambient is dark downstairs but the view from the upper deck is stunning. I do not have much to say about the food, normal to good, but the atmosphere is worthy.

Lovely pub, just lovely. So romantic, my girlfriend brought me here and I immediately like it. Located in the river this place is perfect for a date. Give it a try.

A great place for a party... once you've found it. You will have to consult your map a few times if you're coming from nearby Vauxhall, but it's worth it, because the barge itself is brilliant.

They've got a well-stocked bar in there, a dance floor big enough to bust some moves on, and there's some great views up and down the Thames, that you'd be hard pushed to find anywhere else.

I'm sure it's not as fun in the winter as it is in Summer, but if the weather's good this is a good option for a party venue in South London.

Tough to get to, but a great venue. Impressively for a floating bar, it manages to have a selection of drinks on tap, a decently priced wine list, AND a kitchen able to turn out half-decent food.

Given the location, it's a place you'd only go to for an event, so it's a good thing they have a calendar of cabaret shows that put the stage to good use (including an annual cabaret panto - don't bring the kids). Or you can hire it for your own do and party on a boat (T-Pain not included).

For the lads, make sure you visit the urinal. I pissed myself laughing.

I went to this place for a private fundraising event where we watched a variety show. They filled the boat with people (it isnt very big) and the stage hosted the acts very well. They also did food which was very tasty and wholesome. The staff were friendly and everythig was reasonably priced.

Terrible location (to get to), but a wonderful little venue. Maybe the former contributes to the latter?

Anyway, even though this is actually a boat, don’t expect to get a boat trip - it’s permanently moored. They have a little stage and do kareoke and have live bands on from time to time. There isn’t too much on the drinks menu, but the staff are great and will try their best to find something that’ll suit

I had a great time on the barge, but fear this was largely owed to the company and steady supply of drinks - and lovely summer evening. The barge is smaller than I imagined with decor that had perhaps past its prime. I also was silly in presuming it moved from its rocky outcrop to shimmy down the river but alas not. Other than that it is positioned in a lovely part of the river, has a cosy feel inside with old ship-restaurant type fittings and a dinky little, well-stocked bar. The food was tasty although somewhat oily and had to stop eating fearing the clot would make its way to my heart.

I think it can be a lovely venue for private events but should perhaps consider a bit of a makeover to ensure its longevity.

The Barge is often used for private events. There’s a nice view of London from its mooring on the south bank of the Thames, so long as the weather holds up. The staff are capable, and they’re happy to cook up a variety of finger foods based on your party. The open deck is lovely on a summer evening though, and the downstairs of the barge has a stage that has probably seen its share of stand-ups, ceremonies and karaoke-grade performances.

The one main downside I’d have to note is that it is a little removed for those coming from central of North London, with what seemed like at least a 15-min walk to the nearest tube at Vauxhall.

Cool riverboat venue in Battersea/Vauxhall with regular events and varied clientele. What makes this place is that unlike many boat-bars, this place still really feels like a boat, from the rickets plank to get on board, to the wooden interior and upper deck, you feel like your mate who owns a boat has invited you over for a few drinks.

Also, somehow, they manage to do really good pub grub style food, from pies to burgers to salads, and all at under a tenner. The drinks selection is good too, and there are often gigs and cabaret nights going on, so it’s worth checking it out and heading down for some summer-time fun.

Pretty much has been said about how this place looks like and feels like, so I decided not to repeat the same things in other words. I decided to advise you not to be put off by the fact that this “London’s worst kept secret” is in hideaway on the Thames tideway. It’s not so far away, and not so out of the way as believed. Going there you can enjoy a max. 10 min beautiful Riverside Walk from Vauxhall Tube Station, as for the night return the Vauxhall Bus Station offers equally great opportunities of transport to both North and South.
Personally I wouldn’t move this charming barge anywhere else -the marvellous view from the upper deck is something worth travelling there for. And all the other things mentioned by fellow qypers. I mean some climb high cliffs and put their lives in danger just to be able to collect one tiny edelweiss, because it’s special … This venue is special.
And let me tell you one little secret I managed to find out -they might turn the upstairs into a cocktail bar! Looking forward to it.

You know how it is - a slightly dubious summer’s evening in London and you wonder if it’s the best time to enjoy a party on a boat… Well, the heavy showers abated and a happy group of dedicated qypers met-up for an evening of fun.

Just along the river bank, between New Covent Garden Market and the long defunct Battersea Power Station, you’ll find the eponymous Barge. Tip number one: it helps if, unlike me, you take along the directions, instead of leaving them at home. Tip number two: have a proper think about whether those pink snakeskin high heels are really advisable for scaling a metal ramp - or as some would have it gangplank - to join your fellow party-goers…

It was an excellent - and different - venue for a party, enjoyed by those living both north and south of the river. There’s a decent choice of seating (and standing) areas on the top deck, perfect for chatting, networking and taking-in the glorious panoramic sunset views.

Down the spiral stairs (question the necessity of those heels again), you’ll find the bar - offering a pretty wide choice of refreshments - with obliging and friendly service. The seating and entertainment areas there probably come more into their own in winter or when the weather is unkind. If you get an invitation to an event here, go along and enjoy a scenic London riverside experience.

Tucked out of the way behind the riverside cement works, the barge, about 5 minutes walk up Nine Elms Lane coming from the Vauxhall end, is a pretty well sorted evening. Particularly as last night it was host to the ever evolving circus that is ‘The Qype Party Group’...

The venue is available for bookings only - most days of the week I believe - and I’m guessing capacity is probably around the 150 mark. It’s a set up that really works; the whole pub-on-a-boat idea lends itself well to theme parties and there’s a stage to boot too; perfect if you want to incorporate an intimate gig into your soirée.

Friendly staff, some artful exterior lighting and a vaguely jazzy décor made for a damn convivial evening’s entertainment, just watch your step as the ramps and spiral staircases can be a little precarious as th evening wears on.

They do take card, very handy as the nearest machine is over the horizon somewhere! Not that I needed to reach for it last night… all courtesy of Qype. Recommended (both the venue and the party group that is ;)

I agree with all the other reviewers who say the pub is a bit of a walk from public transport, but on a bright sunny day, it’s definitely worth the walk. About a 10 minute walk from Vauxhall station, the pub is hidden away and seems like an oasis amongst the many DHL, FedEx’s and soulless office blocks on this stretch of Battersea.

On entering you go up a plank (laydeez you might want to remove any heels if you want to make a reasonably dignified entrance) and go into a lovely flower strewn deck.

The views both up and down stream are fantastic - you have iconic Battersea Power Station, lots of great views of London’s bridges.

Downstairs is a bit like a trip back in time to some 1970’s/ 1980’s night club with red lights highlighting the spiral stairs, big red curtains and a microphone that is crying out for some drunken karaoke nights.

Brill place for a party and pray for no rain.

nice pub/restaurant,i would recommend it to anyone,for small chops to large family gathering,nice vew over the thames.check it out!!!!!!

Cool place. It’s a bit of a walk from Vauxhall Station but pleasant enough on a summer’s eve and the location right on the river is very impressive with nice views of London (especially the Battersea Powerstation!). They’ve got a good selection of beer too. Although to be honest, I only drank Budvar on my visit. I’d go back … and like ahunter said a few reviews up from this one, it’s a great place for a party.

Having been there for the Qype Party I couldn’t very well not review it now could I?

It IS out of the way, but if public transport is running as it should be then it’s not as bad as you’d think. Being overlooked by the amazing Battersea Power Station is cool, and the quietness of the location does make it a superb place for a private party as the other reviewers have mentioned.

One of the things I liked was how nearly-seedy it seemed! Red velvety furniture and decor starts things off, closely followed by a sequined curtain that gives way to a doorway leading to the stripper’s dressing room. Or at least that’s what it feels like it should do. In fact, disappointingly, it leads to the man-folk’s toilets - quite a different thing altogether.

Downstairs it’s much of the same - darker, and with a stage that looks like it could have been lifted straight out of the Casa Rosso in Amsterdam! These are all good things I hasten to add, as it gives the place a different atmosphere to a lot of other bars that just end up trying too hard.

The staff were friendly, and they have a great selection of beers/lagers, both bottled and on tap - I was more than happy sipping Corona in the London sunshine. The barge is deceptively spacious too, with the two floors available creating room to move / escape to / relax. The upper outside deck is welcome on a nice evening, although watch out for wet wooden seating and the denim-ripping potential of the nails that hold them down.

The only thing lacking is a full size plank to make party-goers walk, although with the absence of water on either side last night that was probably a good thing.

Apart from the location, this is a fun place for some drinks. Being so far away from… well, everywhere, means that you should come here for the night. The staff are great and suprisingly tolerant of drunk people running around doing pirate, titanic and other boat-related impressions.

Book a taxi for when you leave though, unlikely there’ll be anything driving by at 2am…

A great place for a party. I last went to Battersea Barge during the winter on a very foggy night (i gate crashed a private party). Spooky but lots of fun. Very friendly staff and if the weather is good, you are in for a treat.

This is a well-executed bar but its a bit of a trek! Located on the south side of the Thames near Vauxhall station, it takes a long amble along the river path to reach the Barge. The walk is pleasant enough and takes in one of the quieter stretches of the Thames' central section. Not fun getting back home to North London though!

Once you get over the travelling this bar is cosy, friendly and hidden away so is great for private parties. The stage is situated on the main floor, which hoasted some great live acts when I was there. The deck is lovely and has a nice view - perfect for those smokers who are typically confined to street corners outside pubs. The upstairs seating area is nicely lit and comfortable. The atmosphere is relaxed and there is a vague feeling of having escaped the bustle of London, even in the shadow of Battersea Power Station.

Worth a look...