The Boathouse Café and Bar

The Boathouse Cafe and Bar was a genuine local favourite in Barking, offering something rare in the area: a proper riverside setting where you could actually sit and watch the boats go by. Derrick Daniel, a former boxer who turned his hand to hospitality, ran the place with a personal touch that made regulars feel like family. The terrace was the main draw, especially on sunny afternoons when you could grab a panini and a drink while enjoying the view of the River Roding.

Inside, it had a relaxed, music-focused vibe that encouraged conversation and community. Derrick was known for his genial hosting, treating the space like his own living room. The boating community was particularly loyal, with some boat-dwellers even forming a band to play a farewell song for him when the closure was announced. While the winter months proved financially tough due to heating costs and low footfall, the summer terrace season brought enough life to keep it going for nine years.

Unfortunately, the venue closed its doors permanently in late August 2025. The decision was heartbreaking for a community that had rallied behind it, with an online petition launched to try and save it. For those who remember it, The Boathouse was more than just a bar—it was a piece of Barking's social fabric that provided a much-needed chill-out space by the water.