Battersea gets a new dive bar, Balham trains went off-track, and Brixton might lose Pop- here’s SWhat’s happening.

🇬🇧 SW News

Bad Habits Club Takes Over Tequila Mockingbird Site

The Tequila Mockingbird bar at 46 Battersea Rise has closed and been reborn as the Bad Habits Club, a gritty, late-night-themed dive bar. It offers £5 happy hour beer deals, craft-style drinks, burgers from Patty & Bun, and retro games like pool and pinball. Source

Man Convicted of Manslaughter in Wandsworth

A jury has found 36-year-old Nicholas Coogan guilty of manslaughter after the death of his mother, 63-year-old Mary Coogan, at their home in Wandsworth, South West London, in July 2023. He will be sentenced at a later date. Source

Balham Track Incident Causes Train Delays

A trespass incident in the Balham area on 12 August led to major disruption across multiple lines, including Gatwick Express, Southern, and Thameslink. Services between Balham and Clapham Junction, and Sutton to Streatham, were delayed or revised throughout the afternoon. Great. Source

Harris Clapham Students Celebrate 100 Percent Pass Rate

Sixth formers at Harris Clapham achieved a flawless 100% pass rate in vocational courses this year, with many earning the top grades. The school praised students’ resilience and ambition, highlighting their strong pathways into university, apprenticeships, and employment. Source 

Pop Brixton Could Face Demolition

Plans are in public consultation for two high-rise towers- 17 storeys- along Brixton Station Road. This redevelopment would replace Pop Brixton and International House with around 280 homes (at least 40% affordable), workspace, market infrastructure, and new public spaces. Source

Strange "Cartoon Character" Fish Found on UK Shores

The tompot blenny, described as looking like a "cartoon character come to life," is one of the quirkiest fish found around UK coastlines. With its bulging eyes, thick lips, and frilly head tentacles, this small but scrappy fish is fiercely territorial and often spotted hiding in rockpools at low tide. Sorry, this isn’t SW London, but it made us giggle... Source

🎉 Upcoming Events

Radio Free Alice Rocks Brixton

Get ready for vintage-edged post-punk with Australian quartet Radio Free Alice at Windmill Brixton on Wednesday 20 August. Joined by East London’s anarchic indie-pop act Humane The Moon, it starts 7 45 pm, 18+, tickets from £10. Expect thumping guitars, crooning vocals and sweaty energy. Source

The Monochrome Set Work-in-Progress

Catch The Monochrome Set at Windmill Brixton on Thursday 21 August, 7:45 pm. They’ll be road-testing as-yet-unrecorded songs from a forthcoming album due March 2026- expect first-listen exclusives. Entry is £8, it’s 18+ only, and capacity’s tiny. Source

Bank Holiday Dance-Off

Get your groove on this Friday 22 August at The Blues Kitchen, Brixton. Doors open at 8 pm, with live music and DJs upstairs spinning non-stop hip-hop, Afrobeats and R&B till 3 am. Free before 9 pm if you’re quick, otherwise £5 in advance or £9 on the door. It’s 18+, and you’ll hear both old-school and fresh bangers from Kendrick, Lauryn Hill, J Hus, Burna Boy and more. Source

Tyler, the Creator Tribute Night

Celebrate rap boundary-pusher Tyler, the Creator at The Blues Kitchen, Brixton on Friday 22 August, doors open at 8 pm. Live music and DJs pay tribute to his innovative sound to kick off the Bank Holiday weekend. Tickets from £5; 18+ only. Source

Fridaze Cabaret Night

Fridaze brings cabaret-style magic to Omnibus Theatre every fourth Friday, blending live music, comedy and drag in a cosy, inclusive atmosphere. It’s the perfect spot to catch emerging South London talent at 9 pm on 25 April, 23 May, 27 June, 25 July and 22 August. 16+ welcome, tickets around £10. Source

✨ Hidden Gems

(Click each title to see them on Google Maps)

Botanica Hall

Botanica Hall, nestled at Clapham Junction in a restored former department store, offers coal-oven pizzas, handmade pasta, bottomless brunch, cocktails, hot-desking, and its own vodka distillery. Its stylish, fun atmosphere and flexible space make it perfect for brunch, work or late-night drinks.

Megan's in the Tonsleys Restaurant (Wandsworth)

Megan’s in the Tonsleys, perched on the corner of Old York Road and Tonsley Hill in Wandsworth. Yes, it’s a chain, but teh reviews don’t lie! The mediterranean menu features mezze, posh kebabs, egg dishes, bottomless brunch and an endless queue of millennials & mullets.

Koka Restaurant Mediterranean & Sourdough Pizzeria

Koka Restaurant in Fulham serves up brilliant Modern Mediterranean fare and hand-tossed sourdough pizzas in a cosy, stylish setting with rustic wooden touches, an air-conditioned dining area and a sunny patio. Chef Donica delights with dishes like seafood pasta, grilled meats, vegetarian options and tempting desserts.