To spot the Temperance Billiard Hall, just look ahead for the grand corner building with a striking green dome on top and “THE TEMPERANCE” written above its doors-it’s hard to miss as it proudly stands out on Fulham High Street.
Now, take a deep breath and imagine you’re standing outside this beautiful building in 1910. The air is filled with excitement and a bit of suspense, because here, in a time when most halls rang with the clink of beer glasses, people filed in to play billiards-and drink lemonade! This place was built for the Temperance Billiard Halls Ltd, a company on a mission to save the people of Fulham from the “evils” of alcohol. The architect, Norman Evans, designed it to catch every eye-and maybe distract you from the pub next door! Picture the gentle click of balls on polished tables, and the faint smell of fresh wood polish. Over the years, it changed names and owners-from the wild Pharaoh and Firkin days to the lively O’Neill’s bar. Today, it's a pub again (oh, the irony!). But if you listen closely, you might just hear the ghostly debate of teetotalers versus tipplers echoing under that wonderful green dome. Now, who do you think is winning today?
