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Our favourite Hammersmith river bars

Hammersmith, the borough of West London that claims Fulham, Shepherd’s Bush, and a good chunk of the north bank of the Thames within its borders. Known for its theatre, notable people throughout the centuries, and – of course – its riverside views. It has long been an affluent area of London, and although very little remains of the historic Hammersmith village, its history runs long and deep as the Thames.


We have a fair amount of trivia about the notable people born in Hammersmith over the centuries, we could rattle off a list of 20th-century actors alone who all hail from the borough, but we’ll save it for the pub quiz. Instead, may we interest you in the real fruit of Hammersmith? Its riverside bars.


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the old ship hammersmith river bar terrace balcony
interior of the old ship hammersmith river bar

1. Sundays on the river: The Old Ship, Hammersmith

Hammersmith, London

Located on the bend of the River Thames between Hammersmith and Chiswick, The Old Ship is well-known and well-loved for its terrace and balcony with panoramic views of the river. It’s also well-loved for its seasonal menu featuring Britsh classics, but especially for its Sunday Roasts dishing up prime cuts from Aldens, a family-run Oxfordshire butchers who have been in business since the 18th century.


With an interior design and decor that not surprisingly evokes the cabin of a ship, The Old Ship is a quintessential Hammersmith river bar with a terrace at ground level and a balcony above. It’s a popular venue for special occasions and milestone moments, and between the food, drink, hospitality, and views, we understand why.



exterior of the black lion hammersmith river bar
beer garden of the black lion hammersmith river bar

2. A Historic pub in a listed building, with a vintage skittle alley to boot: The Black Lion

Hammersmith, London

The Black Lion is a Grad II-listed building and comes with everything you would expect from a historic pub – low ceilings, a fireplace, whitewashed walls, and they even have an old skittle alley when it’s not being used for special occasions and private parties.


We like The Black Lion for its charm, dishing up the hearty food we want when we’re in an old pub, and for maintaining a lovely little beer garden. This Hammersmith river bar is also the best place to catch the annual Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race if that’s your thing.



terrace of the dove hammersmith river bar
exterior of the dove hammersmith river bar

3. Discover the smallest bar room in the world in The Dove, Hammersmith

Hammersmith, London

The narrow alley where you can find The Dove is the only remnant of the riverside village of Hammersmith, and a pub has stood on this site since the 17th century. It’s picturesque, a Grade II-listed building, with a stunning riverside terrace and balcony.


This Hammersmith river bar holds the Guinness World Record for the smallest bar room in the world – a small space to the right of the bar. Its claims to fame don’t stop there. It has hosted the likes of Charles II as he wined and dined with his mistress Nell Gwynne, and was frequented by authors Ernest Hemingway and Graham Greene and 18th-century poet James Thomson.


We like the little alleyway you have to traverse to find the pub’s entrance, and the traditional interiors, relaxed ambiance, and views of the River Thames. We rate The Dove for preserving its history and being unpretentious about it. It’s a good pub with good food, drink, and hospitality.



exterior of the rutland arms hammersmith river bar
cocktails at the rutland arms hammersmith river bar

4. The Hammersmith river bar that survived the Blitz: The Rutland Arms

Hammersmith, London

The Rutland Arms lost its top floor and balcony in the Blitz, but today it’s still a beautiful two-storey Victorian brick building. Outside the pub’s front, there are outdoor picnic tables on a riverside walkway offering lovely views of the River Thames.


Inside, the traditional dark wood and spacious interior is still well-lit by the pub’s many tall windows, and its upstairs dining room and bar are ideal for private hire. It’s casual yet still picturesque and offers a great view of the Hammersmith Bridge.



interior of the blue anchor hammersmith river bar
meal and pint at the blue anchor hammersmith river bar

5. Drop anchor and have a pint at this Hammersmith river bar: The Blue Anchor

Hammersmith, London

The Blue Anchor has had its license since the early 18th century and is still a true local’s pub today. It’s a short walk from Hammersmith Bridge and offers incredible views of the bridge and the River Thames. Inside, it’s cool and casual, and you can sip wine by the fireside – we’ll take that, thank you.


Downstairs is a traditional, wood-panelled 17th-century pub, and upstairs is the refurbished ‘River Room’ with contemporary touches and nautical decor. It’s a great spot for a casual pint or gastropub favourites, and its terrace is sweetest in the sunshine with a cold cider or signature cocktail.



terrace of the blue boat hammersmith river bar
sunday roast at the blue boat hammersmith river bar

6. Cool, blue, and contemporary: The Blue Boat, Fulham Reach

Hammersmith, London

The Blue Boat is a modern Fuller’s pub both in design and decor. With only subtle nods to a nautical theme, the contemporary interior is spacious and well-lit by trendy lights, white tiles are offset by warm wood panelling and accents of blue paint. The furniture evokes mid-century minimalism, and modern bookshelves display the occasional kitschy item alongside books.


The open kitchen at The Blue Boat is as good as any Hammersmith gastropub, and with several function rooms on offer, it’s a good contender for private hire amongst the many other pubs in the area. But the true star of this Hammersmith river bar is its terrace with its views – think sunlight sparkling on the Thames whilst you sip an Aperol Spritz.



terrace of the crabtree hammersmith river bar
interior of the crabtree hammersmith river bar

7. Quiet, tree-lined, and in between two bridges: The Crabtree

Hammersmith, London

The Crabtree is a lovely old pub in an old brick building on the quiet Rainville Road. Its front opens onto the road while its beer garden and dining room windows look onto the river path and the Thames itself, with great views of both the Hammersmith Bridge and Putney Bridge.


The Crabtree is the epitome of rustic with decor that has old time-y charm rather than just being dated. The Restaurant offers those sweet river views and is an ideal spot for an intimate gathering with a capacity of 48. It’s the terraces of this Hammersmith river bar we love the most – leafy and green from the many trees and a healthy number of outdoor heaters to catch those autumn and winter sunsets over the river.



meal at sams riverside hammersmith river bar
terrace of interior of sams riverside hammersmith river bar

8. The chic and sophisticated Hammersmith river bar: Sam’s Riverside

Hammersmith, London

Opened in 2019, Sam’s Riverside is a brasserie, private dining room, and riverside terrace all wrapped up into one. The modern building and contemporary European-style decor give Sam’s the feeling that you could be somewhere in the south of France, and its seasonal menu that emphasizes Anglo-French cuisine adds to that feeling.


Sam’s is sophisticated yet relaxed with spacious booths in a light and airy space with high ceilings, and the open kitchen dishes up fresh seafood the likes of which you usually find somewhere in the Mediterranean.


The private dining room could be a work of art with its views of the River Thames and contemporary art on the walls. But like all river bars, it’s the terrace we’re most interested in, and Sam’s is where we’d sit in the sunshine, dine on oysters, and drink champagne.



Neverland West Lodndon venue hire
Winterland at Neverland London Fulham Cocktail bars

9. A Thameside beach in summer and a Winterland in winter: Neverland London

Hammersmith, London

Neverland London has mastered the themed bar. By summer this Hammersmith river bar masquerades as a beach-club-style lounge complete with day beds, huts, cabanas, and cocktails. With summer BBQs and beach games, Neverland Fulham Beach is ideal for private parties, and with a total capacity of 400, it can accommodate any special occasion you may be planning.


In the colder, darker months of the year, Neverland transforms into Winterland, an Alpine club with winter lodges serving delicious fondues, festive bites, and mulled wine. And Winterland’s offerings don’t stop there, there’s also an outdoor forest, ski huts, igloos, and ski lift bubbles, proving that Hammersmith isn’t all quaint pubs and Sunday Roasts, it’s themed and activity-heavy as well if that’s your cup of tea.



interior of the waterside pub fulham london bar
drink at the waterside pub fulham london bar

10. Riverside views of the marina: The Waterside

Hammersmith, London

Just at a short distance from Imperial Wharf and Fulham Broadway stations, tucked away on the bank of the Thames, the Waterside’s river views have earned it a place on our list of Hammersmith river bars.


The decor is a little too floral in some areas, but refreshingly contemporary and minimalist in other areas. It’s spacious and bright with many windows that look onto the river. Having said all that, all river bars are judged by their terraces, and the Waterside’s terrace is a great space for a bespoke event to celebrate a special occasion riverside. Green, spacious, and an ideal spot for a cold pint and a spritzer in the sunshine.



Find the perfect Hammersmith river bar with a view

Hammersmith, the borough of West London that claims Fulham, Shepherd’s Bush, and a good chunk of the north bank of the Thames within its borders. Most know Hammersmith for its theatre, notable people throughout the centuries, and—of course—its riverside views, and although very little remains of the historic Hammersmith village, its history runs long and deep as the Thames.

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Your ultimate guide to hiring a river bar in Hammersmith, London

Hiring a river bar in Hammersmith, London offers a unique and memorable experience for hosting events. With stunning views of the River Thames and the vibrant atmosphere of Hammersmith, these venues provide the perfect setting for a wide range of occasions, from corporate events to private celebrations. In this comprehensive guide, we'll look at everything you need to know about hiring a river bar in Hammersmith, including pricing considerations, seating arrangements and more.

1. Search for river bars in Hammersmith:

Start your search with HeadBox by researching river bars in Hammersmith. Look for venues that are known for their picturesque riverside locations, diverse drink offerings and positive reviews from previous patrons. The website takes into account factors such as proximity to public transport, parking and accessibility to simplify the process of evaluating potential venues.

2. Define your event requirements:

Before contacting river bars, take the time to define your event requirements. Consider factors such as the type of event you're hosting, the number of guests expected, the preferred date and time, budget constraints and any specific amenities or services you require from the venue. A clear understanding of your event requirements will help narrow down your options and streamline the venue selection process.

3. Contact river bars for availability and pricing:

Contact river bars to enquire about availability and pricing for your preferred date and time. Provide detailed information about your event requirements including number of guests, preferred date and time, length of hire and any special requests. Request a venue rental quote and inquire about any additional services or amenities offered.

4. Understand pricing and packages:

Prices for hiring a river bar in Hammersmith can vary depending on factors such as the location, size, facilities, day of the week, time of day and duration of the hire. Some river bars may offer hourly rates, while others may have flat rates for half or full day rentals. Review pricing and package options carefully to determine which option best suits your budget and event requirements.

5. Explore seating options:

River bars typically offer a variety of seating options, including tables, chairs, bar stools, lounge areas and outdoor seating. Depending on the nature of your event and the number of guests attending, you may opt for a formal dining arrangement or a more casual cocktail-style arrangement.

6. Evaluate amenities and facilities:

Evaluate the amenities and facilities offered by each river bar to ensure they meet your needs and enhance your guests' experience. Look for bars with features such as a fully stocked bar, speciality cocktails, food options, heating or cooling options, lighting options and restroom facilities. Make sure the bar has sufficient staff and services to support your event, such as bartenders, servers and security.

7. Check catering options:

Check the catering options available at each river bar. Some bars may have an on-site kitchen and offer a diverse menu of appetizers, entrees, desserts and beverages prepared by their culinary team. Others may allow outside caterers or provide recommendations for trusted caterers in the area. Discuss your dietary preferences, menu choices and any special requests with the bar's catering team to ensure a memorable dining experience for your guests.

8. Confirm logistics and services:

Once you've selected a river bar for your event, finalise the logistics and services with the venue's management team. Discuss important details such as set up and tear down times, access to the venue for decorating purposes, menu selection and catering arrangements, beverage options and bar services, entertainment choices and any additional services or amenities you may require.

9. Review contracts and policies:

Before signing a rental agreement with the River Bar, carefully review the contract terms and policies to ensure you understand and agree to all terms and conditions. Pay close attention to details such as venue rental fees, deposit requirements, cancellation policies, liability waivers and any additional fees or charges.

10. Plan a memorable event:

On the day of your event, arrive prepared and ready to host an unforgettable gathering at the River Bar. Coordinate closely with the venue staff to ensure that all arrangements are in place and that everything runs smoothly throughout the event. Communicate effectively with the venue's event coordinator or planner to deal with any last minute details or changes and ensure that your guests have an enjoyable and memorable experience.

Hiring a river bar in Hammersmith, London offers a unique opportunity to host an unforgettable event against the backdrop of the picturesque River Thames. By following the steps outlined in this guide and working closely with the venue's management team, you can ensure that your event is a resounding success and leaves a lasting impression on your guests. Here's to celebrating in style and creating unforgettable memories at a river bar in Hammersmith!

Frequently asked questions

Prices for hiring a river bar in Hammersmith will vary depending on factors such as the location, size and facilities of the venue as well as the day and time of the hire. Some venues may charge by the hour whilst others may charge a flat rate for half day or full day hire.

Policies regarding outside food and drink vary from river bar to river bar. Some venues may offer catering services or allow you to bring in outside caterers, while others may have restrictions or corkage fees. It's important to check these details with the venue management at the time of booking.

Many river bars offer heating or cooling options to ensure guest comfort during outdoor events. This may include outdoor heaters, fans or covered areas. Ask about the venue's weather contingency plans when booking your event.

It's advisable to book your river bar hire well in advance, especially for popular dates and times. River venues tend to book up quickly, especially during peak seasons or weekends. Booking early will ensure you get your preferred date and time for your event.

Many river bars in Hammersmith offer versatile event spaces suitable for both ceremonies and receptions. Whether you're planning a wedding, anniversary or other celebration, discuss your timeframe and requirements with the venue's management to ensure they can accommodate your needs.

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