Putney’s late-night cocktail scene is reeling after bar chain Simmons has decided to close its Putney branch — just weeks after neighbour Be At One also shut its doors.
The closure is part of a wider restructuring plan by Simmons, which announced this week it will exit four leases across its estate to “focus on its strongest-performing venues.” Although the company has not officially named the locations, a visit to the bar on Thursday confirmed that it has been shut permanently.
A spokesperson for Simmons said the chain would continue to trade as normal in remaining locations and was looking to expand in other cities, including outside of London. “We remain committed to delivering the unique, value-driven, high-energy customer experience we’re known for,” the statement read.
Founded in King’s Cross in 2012 by Nick Campbell, Simmons built a cult following with students and young professionals through quirky décor, nostalgic drinks menus, and famously long happy hours. Backed by private equity firm Lonsdale Capital since 2018, the group had ambitious plans to triple its footprint.
But Putney has proved a tougher market in 2025.
In June, Be At One — located just steps from Simmons on the same stretch of Putney High Street — closed down after its landlord hiked the rent. Staff told Putney.news the decision was a commercial one: “It’s frustrating. The landlord has tried to hike the rent. It’s just too high.”
Now, Simmons appears to be making a similar exit.
And for anyone hoping to revive the two shuttered bars, there’s another hurdle: tougher licensing rules were recently imposed by Wandsworth Council on Putney High Street venues. The new measures — which include earlier closing times, stricter conditions on noise, and limits on outdoor drinking — were passed following a public consultation in which just 20 people submitted comments.
Just a few doors down, the former Boilermaker bar has sat empty for over a year and was taken over by squatters who were forcibly evicted yesterday. The owner of the bar told us that she has a buyer lined up for the property but given the damage caused by months of occupation, it is not clear when or if that sale will proceed.
The commercial challenges come despite Putney’s growing footfall and thriving daytime economy. The double departure is a warning sign that rent levels and regulatory burdens are outpacing business viability.
As of now, it’s unclear what will replace either venue. Until then, a once-buzzing nightlife patch of Putney will remain dimmer — with fewer cocktails, fewer party playlists, and more unanswered questions about what comes next.
I know the sight of more empty retail space or hospitality space is not a good luck but I’m more than happy these two venues have closed. As a resident of Weimar Street, the noise, the fighting, drug dealing and taking on our street was horrendous. I’ve seen young people urinating (I know we all did it when we were young), having sex, trying to break into peoples cars and even catch and abuse a domestic cat appallingly.
It’s easy for the bars to say but outside of our premises it’s not our problem but they should be held accountable in some form.
Hopefully, with the loss of business from the two bars, some of the horrible and unhealthy fast food places will lose business and decide Putney isn’t for them anymore.