Peckham bars

Under a Peckham Rye railway arch you’ll find this spacious and perennially popular bar, although it’s never as busy as when it’s happy hour. Visit between 6pm and 7pm to snap up two cocktails for just £7 – the bar mixes accomplished cocktails and you can pair them with thin-crust pizzas. In the summer months, this is a truly memorable alfresco drinking spot.

Across Beer Rebellion’s 16 taps (six cask and 10 keg) you’ll find grog from south London regulars Fourpure, Siren and Gipsy Hill, plus some revered breweries from further afield in the UK. As well as familiar scuffed up furniture within, there’s a decent sized seating area out front where you can view the comings and goings of Queen’s Road.

Fresh from a refurb which put an uber-cool new bar in the back, Thai go-to Begging Bowl is now just as good for drinking as it is eating. Opt for one of their unique cocktails, replete with Thai basil, kaffir lime leaves and plenty of lemongrass.

Blake’s is ‘hidden’ behind a bookcase upstairs at the Clock House, an unexceptional Young’s pub at the Dulwich end of Peckham Rye. It has plush blue banquettes, smart dark wood furniture, modish light fixtures and a jazz-funk soundtrack. The drinks list is craft beer meets classic cocktails and bar snacks are pretty meaty and tempting, too.

Another railway arch, another great bar. This craft brewery in Peckham throws open its doors from Tuesday to Sunday, letting locals drink directly from the source. There are 20 taps to sample from – don’t miss the ever-popular Peckham Pils – and a few picnic benches to fight over in the courtyard at the front. A kitchen residency from Slow Richie’s sees BBQ food on standby. 

Although this rooftop space is perhaps better known for its resident cinema (Rooftop Film Club), Bussey Rooftop Bar is visable from across the way at the ever-swarming Frank’s Café and should be considered as more than just a back-up plan when that rival rooftop is at capacity. Five storeys up, there’s bench seating, plenty of plant life and cocktails and craft ales to choose from. Take in the skyline a bit more at leisure.

Kiln rooms, artists’ studios, co-working spaces, a club in a record store and spaghetti in a shed: it’s hard to imagine a cooler bit of town than Peckham’s Copeland Park. And at the centre is Copeland Social, a youthful drinking spot with a banging soundsystem. Grab an outdoor picnic bench and soak up the artsy vibes.

Find some dangerous sherry-and-rosemary-infused cocktails on offer at El Segundo, along with the kind of warmth you’d hope for from a Spanish-styled bar. The wine list is worth exploring too, alongside must-order tapas; from anchovies on toast to scallops with saffron butter.

A dedicated classic and retro arcade games bar, The Four Quarters is the place to go if you want to brush up on your 'Street Fighter II' skills or just revel in nostalgia by playing 'Pac Man' until neon ghosts haunt your nightmares. Choose from craft beers and cocktails in between gaming tournaments.

Londoners continue to make the annual pilgrimage to this Peckham multi-storey car park’s roof for a Campari. The summer pop–up (typically from May to September) plays host to hundreds and the bar’s striking red tarpaulin cover has become as iconic as those sunset views. All walks of life make the trip to tick Frank’s off their London bucket list, so come early to avoid disappointment.