Battersea Barge Bistro - Wandsworth

I attended the Westminster Hotel staff party on January 19th, 2024. The ambiance was very good and the location was nice. The food was very tasty and there was a good selection of drinks. The staff members provided one of the best services I have experienced in a long time, even though I work for a 4-star hotel myself. Special thanks to Mr. DJ for the lovely songs, and to the girls and boys who served food and drinks - your service was amazing. Thank you all for making it a wonderful and memorable evening.

Just some advice really. Nice quirky venue. Think you need the Sun out to use the whole barge and make it a whole experience. You can make it as unusual as you want with decs so thats good. However the lager pump ran out just an hour after the party started at 4pm. And that was maybe with 10 people on board at that time. Followed by 4 out of the 5 draught pumps running out by 6.30. That is very bad planning knowing you have a party booked. No plan to get any more kegs from anywhere and no real apologies. So you had to buy bottles if you wanted anything other than cider. Much more expensive way so hope that wasn't the ploy. This was not a group of rugby playing drinking machines so make sure when they do ask is there any particular drink you would like to stock up on (yes they do ask), draught beers would be a good start.

I've been to the Barge on three occasions twice at night and once for a lunchtime concert. It's a very quirky, fun venue. Easy walk from Vauxhall tube, takes about 10 mins and you can walk by the Thames for most of it. There are roadworks at the moment on the road so it all looks a bit isolated when you're getting there but just passed the Waitrose cross the road and you enter a pretty modern enclave where there are eateries, benches and pretty plant displays and also The Battersea Barge! The Barge itself has a clear entrance and you can either head on deck and descend via a tiny spiral staircase or use the ramp and go easy...the latter is my choice every time. Inside it's like a tiny theatre with the stage at oe end and chairs and tables leading up the the bar. The bar is small but well manned with toilets located opposite it. I have only ordered food on it once and was not impressed at all hence only 4 stars not 5 and I am not a fussy eater, but my chicken burger contained a tiny little bit of chicken that looked burnt but was actually undercooked and the chips were over done. However this was only for the chicken burgers and my friend hamburger was wolfed down happily. The entertainment was great, the sound quality all good and I would really recommend this cute little venue for a gathering of no more than 60 with exclusive use.

Attended a friends party which was hired out here Was an absolute disgrace The place is not set up to run separate events on both the lower and upper deck as toilets and bar are only located on the lower..... Fights and agression ensued. If you are going to hire it you need to hire the entire boat. There were no working speakers and no music and generally an absolute shambles. If you want a smooth running event DO NOT HIRE THIS.

Went to the Barge last Thursday (5th Jan 17) to watch and support the 3rd year Colchester Performing Arts students caberet show. Finding the Barge can be something of a pain if you don't know the area and being also somewhat hindered by the building works taking place in the immediate area near the quay from Nine Elms Lane. Taxi had to find a spot some distance from the walk way enterance, which was made all the more problematic as one of our party was on crutches. Some additional signage from and on the main road would help too. Anyway. The Barge. Interesting venue. Access via a covered gang plank was adequate, then enter via a small door and down some more into the converted hull. Awkward for the less able bodied, but it is a barge so hey ho!. First impressions were mixed. Long and narrow as you would expect and very crampt. Sort of setup that once you have a seat you stay there and hold on to your bladder at all costs. The small bar had a decent selection of beers, including a craft ale and the usual mix of spirits. Bar prices were as expected for London, but not extotionate by any means. Also tucked away is a small galley that provides some basic but very well cooked hot and cold food. I had the Burger meal and it was top drawer. A proper hand made beef burger with all the trimmings, chips and sides for less than £10. More than happy with that. The main part of the venue includes the small stage towards the bow end of the vessel which was well lit and gave just about enough space for the performers to do their stuff. A couple of spiral staircases took you to the upper deck, on this occasion not a lot to see apart from access to the mens toilet, womens ware downstairs at the stern end of the vessel. The staff were supurb and made up for any of the minor failings of the Barge with their excellent attiude to customer service. I reckon that this place would especially be suited to comedy nights or a bit of intimate Jazz. Just need to sort the seating so that people don't feel so enclosed. All in all not a bad venue, if a bit cozy and I would definately recommend this place if looking for somewhere a bit different.