The Half Moon Strikes a New Chord on Lower Richmond Road
Refurbishment retains the character of the live music venue
The new terrace at the Half Moon
April 17, 2026
After months behind closed doors, one of London’s most storied music pubs has reopened its doors — and it’s done so with style. The Half Moon, a cornerstone of Putney’s cultural life since the early 1960s, has completed a full refurbishment that refreshes its look without losing the grit and soul that made it a magnet for generations of musicians and fans.
The venue’s history reads like a roll call of British music royalty: The Rolling Stones, The Who, Kate Bush, U2, and Ed Sheeran have all played here. Now, following a major revamp approved by Wandsworth Council in the face of some opposition from neighbours, the pub re-emerges with a new first-floor dining space, an outdoor terrace with a retractable roof, and a menu inspired by Deep South Americana.
Inside, the ground-floor bar retains its familiar warmth, with exposed brickwork, timber, and worn leather giving a sense of continuity. Instruments and album covers line the walls, a reminder that this is still a working venue, not a museum piece. The Music Room remains the beating heart of the building, its stage framed by a fresh red velvet curtain and retro cinema-style bar lighting. Nine shows a week will keep the space alive, with rising acts such as Lola Young and The Molotovs continuing the tradition of discovery that has defined the pub for decades.
Upstairs, the transformation is more dramatic. The new bar and terrace bring light and air to the building, offering a flexible space for dining, private events, or simply a pint in the sun. Reclaimed artwork, antique mirrors, and decorative tiling lend character without pretension — a nod to the venue’s layered history rather than a break from it.
The food menu leans into sharing and sociability: popcorn chicken with hot maple and chipotle mayo, scorched cauliflower croquettes, and hearty BBQ platters. Sunday roasts remain a fixture, served to suit a long afternoon of conversation and music. On tap, craft beers from DEYA and Gipsy Hill sit alongside classics, while cocktails and a new summer Spritz menu promise lighter options for the warmer months.
The interior at the Halfmoon gives a nod to the venue's history.
The Half Moon’s calendar continues to mix live gigs, comedy nights, and community events. Monday’s New Moon sessions showcase emerging talent, while garden parties and quizzes keep the social rhythm steady. It’s a careful balance — preserving the pub’s legacy as a grassroots venue while adapting to the expectations of a modern audience.
In a city where heritage venues often struggle to survive, the Half Moon’s relaunch feels less like a reinvention and more like a reaffirmation.
The Half Moon, 93 Lower Richmond Road, SW15 1EUOpen Sunday–Thursday 12pm–11pm; Friday–Saturday 11am–12am.
Like Reading Articles Like This? Help Us Produce More This site remains committed to providing local community news and public interest journalism. Articles such as the one above are integral to what we do. We aim to feature as much as possible on local societies, charities based in the area, fundraising efforts by residents, community-based initiatives and even helping people find missing pets. We've always done that and won't be changing, in fact we'd like to do more. However, the readership that these stories generates is often below that needed to cover the cost of producing them. Our financial resources are limited and the local media environment is intensely competitive so there is a constraint on what we can do. We are therefore asking our readers to consider offering financial support to these efforts. Any money given will help support community and public interest news and the expansion of our coverage in this area. A suggested monthly payment is £8 but we would be grateful for any amount for instance if you think this site offers the equivalent value of a subscription to a daily printed newspaper you may wish to consider £20 per month. If neither of these amounts is suitable for you then contact info@neighbournet.com and we can set up an alternative. All payments are made through a secure web site. One-off donations are also appreciated. Choose The Amount You Wish To Contribute. If you do support us in this way we'd be interested to hear what kind of articles you would like to see more of on the site – send your suggestions to the editor. For businesses we offer the chance to be a corporate sponsor of community content on the site. For £30 plus VAT per month you will be the designated sponsor of at least one article a month with your logo appearing if supplied. If there is a specific community group or initiative you'd like to support we can make sure your sponsorship is featured on related content for a one off payment of £50 plus VAT. All payments are made through a secure web site. |