Freak Scene launches Monster Brunch with sharing plates and DJ sets in Balham

Freak Scene, Balham’s Asian-inspired restaurant run by Scott Hallsworth, will be launching a new weekend brunch this summer. From Saturday 15^th August, sharing plates, welcome drinks and live DJ sets will be served up in two 90-minute sittings across both days of the weekend.

Monster Brunch will run every weekend until 20^th December with two sittings available each day, from noon to 1.30pm and from 2 to 3.30pm, all accompanied by a live DJ. Diners can choose between the standard Monster Brunch menu, which costs £35 per person and includes a family-style sharing selection and a welcome drink, or pay £45 to upgrade and add beer, a selection of cocktails and 90 minutes of unlimited prosecco. The cost for either increases by £5 for bookings made fewer than seven days in advance.

The meal begins with DIY Temaki Hand Rolls filled with spicy tuna, avocado or salmon tartare, served with a range of sauces and crunchy toppings. Then there are Izakaya Sliders with umami mayonnaise and chilli jam, Pumpkin Croquettes with yuzu kosho mayonnaise and pickled chillies, Chicken Kushiyaki with yakiniku sauce and Barbecue Prawns served with laksa, crispy shallots and a herb salad. On the side, there are options like garlic fried rice, house pickles and grilled hispi cabbage with ponzu, brown butter, tropuffle and dried miso. 

Hallsworth was previously head chef at Nobu London and later founded the Kurobuta restaurant group. He describes Freak Scene as “punk-Asian”, with a menu built around shared small plates that draw on Japanese and Southeast Asian flavours. It has previously been covered by Time Out and Harden’s, and featured on the BBC’s Saturday Kitchen on 25^th July, bringing yet more buzz to the eccentric South London venue.

Food Desk

The Monster Brunch menu is available from 15^th August until 20^th December 2026 at Freak Scene, 1 Ramsden Road, London SW12 8QX. For further information or to book, visit the restaurant’s website here.