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Big John's Biltong Bar

A ramshackle one-room Deptford dive bar with beer-mat-covered walls, cheap pints, house-made biltong and a sing-along crowd. Time Out named it London's best dive bar for 2026.

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Did you know

The owner makes all the biltong in-house, marinating it for 24 hours in vinegar, salt and spices, then hanging it to dry for a week.

Local tip

Open from 4pm on weekdays and 2pm at weekends. It is one small room, so go early for a seat. Not suited to vegans or anyone avoiding strong, salty flavours.

Famous dishes

  • Biltong
  • Chilli beef bites
  • Pickled eggs
  • Guinness

Finding it

Address
29 Deptford High Street, London SE8 4AD
Nearest station
Deptford Bridge DLR Station, 262 m away

Details change, so check with the place before you set off.

More places nearby

  • Deptford MarketMarket · 90 m awayDeptford's long-running street market along Deptford High Street and Douglas Way, trading Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, split between fresh food and fashion on the High Street and bric-a-brac and second-hand goods on Douglas Way.
  • Viet RestFood · 200 m awayA long-running, unpretentious Vietnamese restaurant on Deptford High Street known for fresh pho, bun cha and spring rolls at low prices.
  • The Bird's NestLive music · 250 m awayA live-music pub on Deptford Church Street at the edge of Deptford Creek, running gigs across folk, punk, blues and ska most nights, plus a Wednesday open-mic "Play for a Pint" session.
  • Deptford Market YardMarket · 300 m awayA row of 14 restored Grade II-listed railway arches next to Deptford station, converted in 2017 into independent food, drink and retail units.

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