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Shot by a City Insiders curator.
The Watermans Arms
★ 4.0(1 review)Bar
waterfronthistoricelevated-pub
About the Vibe
Joe Grossman (of Patty & Bun fame) has transformed this historic 1850s pub into a serious gastropub destination right on the Barnes waterfront. The two-floor space features high ceilings, original windows, and a balcony overlooking the water—rare real estate for a London pub. Head chef Sam Andrews runs a concise but ambitious menu that skips the usual pub fare in favor of things like lamb rib with yoghurt and honey, whole fish cooked over coals, and sharing-style mains. The downstairs bar serves a simpler menu while upstairs offers the full à la carte experience. The wine list is extensive (50+ labels) with markups that are actually reasonable for London standards, though the corkage policy is steep at £25 for the first bottle. Expect a mix of locals and foodies drawn by Grossman's reputation, with live blues and jazz adding to the atmosphere. It's not your typical neighbourhood pub—this is where you go when you want elevated British cooking in a historic setting with a view.
Known For
- •waterfront location with balcony
- •Joe Grossman (Patty & Bun founder)
- •whole-animal butchery
- •seasonal British menu
- •live blues and jazz
Best For
date nightspecial occasion dinnersweekend brunch
1 review
City InsidersEditorialMarch 31, 2026
Elevated pub dining with a waterfront view
The Watermans Arms is a bold experiment that mostly lands on its feet. Joe Grossman has taken the bones of a historic 1850s pub and injected it with serious culinary ambition. The waterfront location is genuinely special—there's a balcony overlooking the Thames that you don't see many places offering. Sam Andrews' menu is concise but thoughtful, with standout dishes like the hand-dived scallop with curry butter and the spit roast chicken with chicken fat polenta. The whole-animal butchery program means you can get proper chops and steaks cooked over coals.
The atmosphere walks a fine line between pub and restaurant. The downstairs bar is more casual with a simpler menu, while upstairs feels more formal with the full à la carte. Lighting can be quite low, which creates mood but isn't always flattering. The wine list is impressive with 50+ labels and markups that are actually fair by London standards. Live blues and jazz play in the background, adding to the vibe without overwhelming conversation.
It's not perfect—the artichoke dish I tried had some execution issues, and the corkage policy is steep. But this is clearly a place where Grossman and his team are trying to build something special in their local community. If you're looking for elevated British food in a historic setting with a view, this is one of the better options in southwest London.