The Half Moon in Putney is shortlisted among Britain's best grassroots venues

On Lower Richmond Road, a short walk from the Thames, stands a pub with one of the richest music histories in London. The Half Moon in Putney has been putting on live music since the 1960s, and in 2026 it was one of the ten finalists in the Music Week Awards' Grassroots Venue: Spirit Of The Scene category.

The shortlist was a reminder of how much the Half Moon means to the capital's music scene. It was one of just three London venues in the category, alongside Camden Assembly and The George Tavern in Stepney, and the only category at the awards decided partly by a public vote.

The pub's list of past performers is extraordinary. Kate Bush gave her first public show here. U2 played their first UK sellout gig at the Half Moon, and k.d. lang made her first UK appearance on its stage. The Who, Van Morrison and Elvis Costello have all played here too.

The venue has kept faith with new talent. Lola Young, Cat Burns and Ed Sheeran all performed at the Half Moon early in their careers, and it has also hosted comedy, with Jack Whitehall and Harry Hill among its alumni.

The Half Moon has recently been refurbished. In a statement shared at the time, the team said it was "modernising the space and adding an extra room", while promising: "we'll remain true to our roots and continue to build on our reputation as a legendary grassroots venue." The pub now offers a private space upstairs for parties and events, as well as a roof terrace and terrace bar.

The pub is owned by Young's, and it describes itself as a "much-loved Putney pub and iconic music venue since the 1960s". That combination of local pub and serious music room is what has kept generations of Putney residents and music fans coming back, and the Music Week shortlisting shows its reputation is as strong as ever.

The Half Moon is at 93 Lower Richmond Road, SW15 1EU. For gig listings and tickets, visit halfmoon.co.uk or call 020 8780 9383.