London Chess Club @ Mercato Metropolitano

Every Sunday from roughly 11 am to 4 pm, the café at Mercato Metropolitano (Elephant & Castle) hosts the London Chess Club, an informal gathering where anyone can drop in to play and socialise.

Co‑organisers Harry Docherty‑White and Darryl Bayliss, both in their early 30s, shifted the club here in February 2022 after outgrowing their original café space at the Castle Centre.

The vibe is distinctly open‑ended: players of all ages and strengths—complete beginners to seasoned enthusiasts—fill tables with boards and clocks, chatting over coffee and occasional pastries . It's not a tournament; organisers explicitly emphasise social connection, not chess mastery. It's a great example of London at its best.

The club began small—just a few regulars—and has since grown steadily through Instagram, Meetup, and word‑of‑mouth, now attracting many attendees on busy Sundays.

Minimalist in structure—“bring your own board if you can”—the club is an interesting and relaxed way to go and play chess.

Effortlessly friendly, and a beautiful example of community in the city.