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Home > London > SW11 > The Cricketers

The Cricketers

Picture source: Darkstar


The Cricketers was situated at 317 Battersea Park Road. This pub was known as the Halo Bar at time of closure and has now been demolished.
I remember the old ‘Cricketers’ pub Battersea, must have been during the late ’60s or early ’70s, and the ‘all girl band’. Considering the area, they pulled in a big crowd, especially at weekends. We were there one evening watching the entertainment, and sitting in the corner was Noel Coward along with his coterie of friends. Someone in the audience asked ‘give us a song Noel’ which he did (it was probably don’t put your daughter on the stage Mrs Worthington ! ! !)
John Booker (August 2019)
I loved the Cricketers, it was small and intimate. A few of us would go mid-week to see Winnie and Marie, always good for a laugh and a sing-along. Made such a change from Earls Court and the West End - an authentic working-class gay pub.
Stuart Feather (January 2023)

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Name Dates Comments
Denis Beckwith 1950s-1960s I used to sing at the pub with Winnie and Marie at the piano & drums. My signature song was "Fings aint what they used to be", Would love news of David Purse who also used to sing there
Ed Raphael 1960s-1970s Winnie & Marie were just the best. Great girls and super entertainment. Can't remember the large landlady's name but her daughter was Roxanne. Lovely memories of Dave Raven and the chap who was with him in that act
Glenn Robert MacFarlane-Vage 2007-2009  
Graham Biggs 1970-2010 Loads of happy memories from the Cricketers. When we used to go when it run by Fred & Peggy Penfold, + barman with massive sideburns. The Trollets performed there and, all the great drag artists that used that T shaped stage.The pub was so friendly, the locals used to sing on stage and the whole thing was held together by Kenneth the MC. Anyone remember Katie always used to sing on stage. So sad this place is now gone for ever.
Mary Parker 1965 I went to The Cricketers Saturdays and Thursdays. Saturday live entertainment were drag artists. One Saturday the ballet dancer Rudolf Nureyev came in with Long John Baldry, he was Elton John's friend. It was great in those days, I met so many famous people. Also they had a disco on Tuesday nights and drag queens.
Matthew McNamee 1960s My granddad (Irish guard whose Busby was above the bar), ran this pub during this time. His name was Tom McNamee, his wife (my 'big' Nan whose name was Phyllis) worked there as did her daughter whose name was actually Roseanne, not Roxanne. All are now sadly deceased Does anyone remember the Minor bird in the cage next to the stage? And the Great Dane, Toddy?- it definitely will always have a place in the history of gay pubs in London.
Cyril Zulu 1975-1977 I remember the Mynah bird. We used to go in there at lunchtimes wearing our uniforms from Battersea County and they would let us have a pint whilst we played pool and bar billiards in the back games lounge
John Hamilton 1960s Compèring at the George and Devonshire Chiswick I had information that the entertainment at the Cricketers was worth seeing. It was brilliant we ended up starring acts from here at the George and Devonshire every 6 weeks