Hundreds and hundreds of Claphamites voted over the past month in the first ever local awards, the Clapham Awards 2009. With honours up for grabs for the best pub, bar, restaurant, shop and more, the awards were incredibly competitive – and one bar has totally cleaned up! We also have the Best Clapham Oddity award, Clapper of the Year and the award for Clapham’s best loved music artist. Now though, the votes are in, counted and without further ado, we’re excited to reveal to you the winners and runners up…

Best Boozer

The Nightingale

The Nightingale on Nightingale Lane near Clapham South tube station is a firm favourite of Claphamites. With its quaint village feel, good food, good drink and great atmosphere, it fully deserves the crown of Best Boozer 2009.

2nd The Loft (Clapham High Street)
3rd The Abbeville (Abbeville Road, Clapham South)

Best Night Out

The Loft

Situated on Clapham High Street, smack bang in the middle above Tesco Metro is Clapham’s shining beacon of trendiness. The Loft has made a massive impact on Clapham in its short lifespan and now it has the accolade of Best Night Out in Clapham in 2009 to add to it.

2nd The White House
3rd The Two Brewers

Sexiest Customers

The Loft

Probably part of the reason for The Loft’s success on a night out is the venue’s own pulling power. Drawing in the crowds of hotties, Clappers have voted the customers of The Loft as Clapham’s sexiest.

2nd Aquum (Clapham High Street)
3rd Kazbar (Clapham High Street)

Sexiest Bar Staff

The Loft

Not content with having the sexiest customers, Clappers voted The Loft as having the Sexiest Bar Staff too! Phwoar! Perhaps it’s the bar staff that’s drawing in the sexy customers? They must get loads of phone numbers…

2nd Aquum (Clapham High Street)
3rd Kazbar (Clapham High Street)

Best Brekkie

Boiled Egg and Soldiers

Located on Northcote Road, this little gem of a breakfast cafe proved to be 2009′s most popular in Clapham, totally deserving it’s Best Brekkie 2009 award. The owners clearly love their breakfasts as much as Claphamites because it’s also the only place in Claps that genuinely sells boiled eggs and soldiers – yummy!

2nd The Pavement (Clapham Old Town)
3rd Fantasia (Clapham Old Town)

Best Posh Meal

Trinity

Trinity is tucked away on the island in the middle of Clapham Old Town, but what a treasure trove! Clappers love to go here for a great meal and to wow someone special with its gorgeous cuisine, great selection of wines and wonderful personality.

2nd Tsunami (Clapham North)
3rd Gastro (Venn Street, Clapham Common)

Best Budget Meal

Nandos

Find Nandos on Clapham High Street near The Loft. Like the rest of the chain you know what to expect from the food, but the Clapham branch is in a lovely old building that resembles an old stable at the back (or, er, something…). Nevermind all that: it’s good and it’s relatively cheap!

2nd Wok Wok (Clapham Junction)
3rd The Village Tandoori (Clapham South)

Best Local Shop

Big Squid Dive Centre

Situated in the Clapham Business Park in Clapham North, Big Squid Dive centre is a treasure of the deep with everything you’ll need to ensure an amazing diving experience. Much loved by locals for its stock and staff, no wonder it takes this year’s top prize! Claphamites love their local shops with all entries this year receiving fierce competition from their loyal customers.

2nd M. Moen and Sons Butchers (Clapham Old Town)
3rd The Party Shop (Clapham Junction)

Best Event

Ben & Jerry’s Sundae on the Common

There are loads of events in the summer time on Clapham Common, but by far the most popular this year was the family friendly Ben & Jerry’s Sundae on Clapham Common. It probably helped that ticket prices were low and icecream is given away in all corners!

2nd SW4 (Clapham Common)
3rd The Abbeville Fete (Abbeville Road)

Best Oddity

Loch Ness Hedge

Located along Abbeville Road this topiary marvel is a well known landmark. Nessie the hedge has been beautifully crafted and cared for for many a year, and we hope the proud owner of this carefully trimmed bush continues to keep it this way.

2nd Gargoyle Wall
3rd Clapham Common Humps

Fave Music Artist

Kings of Leon

Love Clapham loves Kings of Leon and so apparently does the majority of Clapham! Lady Gaga came a close second, but all other bands and artists trailed way behind in the distance. Clearly Clappers have good taste. But we knew that already, didn’t we?

2nd Lady Gaga
3rd Lily Allen

Clapper of the Year

Christopher Wellbelove – Mayor of Lambeth 2009

He’s got personality, he’s got a position of power and he’s got the crown jewels of Clapham (otherwise known as the Mayoral chains). Christopher Wellbelove put Lambeth Council on the map this year, not only by going out and visiting the Clapham massive in person but by communicating to everyone through the likes of Facebook and Twitter. We had some fantastic entries for Clapper of the Year 2009, but I think all will agree that the Mayor of Lambeth this year is deserving of the award for all that he has done for so many of the community.

2nd Karen Hastings - the founder and Managing Director of Cupcake, the members’ club and spa for mums, mums-to-be and their families
3rd John Forbath - runs the BigSquid Diving club which brings together people from all over Clapham. Everyone who knows scuba knows John who provides a vast social network responsible for friendships and about five weddings as a result!