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The Bull's Head
★ 4.0(1 review)Bar
traditionallivelylocal
About the Vibe
The Bull's Head is a proper old-school Barnes pub that's been serving the locals since the days of James II, though it's found its second wind with nightly jazz and a Thai restaurant tucked in the former stables. The island bar pours crisp Young's beers and Euro lagers, while the menu walks a fine line between classic pub grub like sausage and mash and more adventurous options. It's the kind of place where you might stumble in for a quick lunch sandwich and end up staying for live music and a proper roast on Sunday.
Known For
- •nightly jazz performances
- •Thai restaurant in former stables
- •island bar with Young's beers
- •Sunday roasts
Best For
casual luncheslive music eveningsSunday family dinners
1 review
City InsidersEditorialApril 8, 2026
A Barnes Institution with Live Jazz
The Bull's Head has that rare pub quality of feeling both timeless and current. Step inside and you'll find a casually handsome interior with an island bar that's perfect for people-watching while nursing a pint of Young's Bombardier. The food hits the mark for what it is—solid pub classics like the £7 sausage and mash, homemade soup, and tuna niçoise that won't break the bank. But what really sets this place apart is the nightly jazz in the live music room, a tradition that's been going for decades.
It's not perfect—the Euro lager selection feels a bit odd for a traditional pub, and the Thai restaurant tucked in the back stables is a bit of a curveball if you're just expecting a standard pub meal. But that's part of its charm. This is a place where locals actually hang out, not just tourists passing through. The riverside location near Barnes adds to the appeal, especially on a nice evening when you can soak up the Thames views from one of their bookable spaces.