It’s not just a neighbourhood with a funny name. There are so many brilliant things to do in Tooting. Find out some hidden London secrets with our handy guide.
Tooting often goes under the radar of people looking to soak up the best of what London has to offer. That might be for the best as it means more of this neighbourhood’s hidden delights for us.
From a lesser-known food market that could rival Brixton Village for hipness, to the largest lido in the UK, and a bunch of eateries that will make you rethink how far you’re willing to travel for a good meal, there’s plenty of reasons to come exploring this part of the city.
But don’t just fumble around in the dark like a muppet, read our guide for everything you need to know about Tooting.
Things to do in Tooting
Have a Night Out at Tooting Tram & Social
Tooting Tram and Social is Tooting’s hub of all things nightlife. If you’re looking to let your hair down in the neighbourhood, chances are you’ll find all the right ingredients for a good night here.
They do open mic nights of live music, stand-up comedy evenings, and nights of genre music like their Latin evening (third Friday of every month). But their regular set up is a bar and DJ sets to take you into the early hours. More info here.
Eat Your Way Round Tooting Market’s Indie Eateries
Tooting Market is a bit of a hidden food heaven. While everyone else is queuing up for hours in Borough Market or fighting over the last bits of street food at Maltby Street, you can be sampling some of London’s best bites right here in Tooting.
There’s cuisines from Greece to Guyana, and everything from drinks to desserts. Our favourite? Unwined. A wine bar that buzzes with activity come nightfall, serving up well-sourced vinos by glass and bottle.
They put on regular wine tasting events and have a delightful rotating menu of charcuterie boards that deserve as much attention as any other dish in the market.
Hang out on Tooting Bec
Tooting Bec has a history that dates back to Norman Britain. It’s recorded in the Doomsday Book as having 5 hides. It had 5½ ploughs (we feel bad for that sixth farmer), 13 acres and rendered £7 in what we assume is taxes.
Nowadays this area has a bit more going for it – there’s plenty of things to do in Tooting Bec. The bustling intersection boasts a spread of shops and great local restaurants, and ends with the sizable Tooting Common – a beautiful green space (read park) that’s pretty sizable as London goes.
Take a Dip in the Lido
In the summer months a hot London day demands a dip in a Lido, and Tooting Bec Lido has plenty of reasons to be your top pick.
Not only is it one of the oldest open-air pools in the UK but it’s also the largest, and has a bit of movie history tied into it as well. It appears in a scene in Snatch when Brad Pitt is filmed swimming underwater – though you can’t see too much of the scenery.
Play Bingo at the Most Lavishly Decorated Cinema in the UK
Looking for fun things to do in Tooting? Check out this old gem.
The Granada in Tooting started life as a cinema, and a pretty grand one at that. Our title’s term of the “Most Lavishly Decorated Cinema in the UK” isn’t just our opinion, it’s shared by most people with an eye on the art deco community.
Today it doesn’t function as a cinema anymore, but if you really want to see it you can go and play a game of bingo there. Buzz Bingo runs the operation and has plenty of playtimes so you shouldn’t have any trouble booking a slot.
Things to do in Tooting: Eating & Drinking
Graveney Gin
Graveney Gin is the child of Victoria Christie, a self-professed gin lover who was knocking back G&Ts before they became cool and brewed up her first batch moonshine-style in the kitchen sink.
Since then the gins have become more refined and the company has blown up. They now have their own bar and bottleshop right in the bustling heart of Tooting Market where you can sample a bit of their magic.
Want to learn more about the spirit? They also do gin tasting masterclasses every Thursday evening. For more information and to book a seat on the masterclass, check their website here.
Vijayakrishna
Every neighbourhood needs a good Indian and in Tooting that comes in the form of Vijayakrishna. This golden oldie has been serving the locals for yonks, and is an ever-lasting fav.
They do authentic food from the Southern-Indian region of Kerala. It’s made with care and devotion to the true flavours of the subcontinent in a way that makes a meal here a bit of a journey in itself.
Oh, and the price is more than reasonable.
Juliet’s Quality Foods
We like a restaurant that’s straightforward with what it does, and that’s what first drew our eye to Juliet’s Quality Foods. What we found was a sweet little cafe serving up some indulgent breakfast hits.
Bacon and egg baps, posh fry ups, waffles with generous scoops of ice cream, the works. You’ll probably have a hard time deciding what you want to eat. You could try it all. Just make sure you save room for some of Juliet’s cake.
The Selkirk SW17
Sunday swings around and you’ll be wondering about a roast. We suggest you look no further than the Selkirk. This Gastropub has some of the best grub in the area and the roasts are worth schlepping it across London for.
Everything they cook has a fresh, seasonal focus that champions produce from the British Isles. All of the above should be enjoyed in their leafy pub garden if the weather permits.
What to do in Tooting: Practical Tips
- Tooting sprawls. You’ve got multiple stops you can get off at depending on where you want to go in the neighbourhood. Consult your route-planner before setting off to save your legs a little.
- Tooting has a bunch of great off-the-beaten-track Indian restaurants. If you’re feeling adventurous, dip into any one that takes your fancy. It’s likely to be a cracking meal.
