WhatPub? Update publishes news items collated by Greater London branches, often from information supplied through the ‘Submit Update’ button on WhatPub. We aim to report all openings and closures of places that satisfy the CAMRA definition of a pub (including those selling draught but not real ale); all pubs that add or remove real ale; and changes of name, ownership or beer policy. Readers are encouraged to visit WhatPub? for pub details, and to ‘Submit Update’ when they find incomplete or out-of-date information.
| NEW & REOPENED PUBS & CLUBS CONVERTED TO REAL ALE |
INNER LONDON
E14 LOWBACK, 1 Water St. Breweries Bar is part of Hawksmoor Wood Wharf, a floating pavilion across 3 levels. The Lowback is on the ground level.
E14 SHUTTERS, One Canada Sq. Restaurant & Bar with working space. Tank beer from Meantime and bottled beers.
E16, HENLEY ARMS (Heineken), 268 Albert Rd. Real ale now available – a changing beer such as Taylor Landlord.
E20, GANTRY, 40 Celebration Ave. Urban resort featuring hotel, restaurants, shops and event spaces. Besides a roof bar on the 18th floor, due to open in Spring 2022, there are a lounge bar and a cocktail bar, both with terraces.
E20, LOKMA, 105-106 Westfield Shopping Centre. Turkish Grill & Bar over three floors with two dining rooms, two bars and a shisha terrace. Keg and bottled beer.
E20, ROOTS BAR, 3-4 West Park Walk, East Village. Cashless cocktail bar. A keg beer from Coalition Brewing is available.
EC1, OLD RED COW (Pubs of Distinction), 71-72 Long La. Reopened in November 2021 under new management. Two handpumps and a dozen taps.
N1, 163 UPPER STREET. Reopened.
N3, KING OF PRUSSIA (M&B/Craft Locals), 363 Regents Park Rd. Real ale reinstated – currently a changing beer from Purity.
N4, ARSENAL TAVERN (Craft Union), 175 Blackstock Rd. Real ale available: Fuller’s London Pride and Taylor Landlord.
N4, NEW RIVER STUDIOS, Ground floor, Unit E, 199 Eade Rd. An arts centre, studio provider, education hub etc with cafe and bar serving tea, coffee and cold food by day, and in the evenings offering pizza (including vegan option) and a range of beers, wines and spirits.
N8, HORNSEY TAVERN (Tavern Estates), 26 High St. Reopened 10 December 2021 after almost four years of closure. Two handpumps.
N14, KINGS GATE (Craft Union), 110-112 Chase Side. Real ale available: Sharp’s Doom Bar and a changing beer, e.g. Sharp’s Atlantis
N19, SMYTH ARMS (Stonegate Pub Partners), 139 Marlborough Rd. Reopened as SUSSEX BAR. Was PRINCE ALFRED.
N21, GRYPHON (M&B/Harvester), 9 Vera Ave. In September became an Ember Inn, reinstating real ale: London Pride and Doom Bar plus a changing beer.
NW1, PERSEVERANCE, 11 Shroton St. Following various ups and downs and periods of closure, reopened in late 2021 under new management. The drinks menu includes craft beers and gin and whisky flights.
NW1, QUEENS HEAD & ARTICHOKE, 30-32 Albany St. Reopened.
NW1, SHAKER & COMPANY, 119 Hampstead Rd. Reopened as ZODIAC, a new LGBTQ+ friendly bar run by Lady Jane Phoenix.
NW1, WEREWOLF BREWERY TAPROOM, Arch 87, Randolph St. New taproom.
NW2, QUEENSBURY, 110a Walm Lane. Reopened.
NW3, OLD WHITE BEAR (Max Barney Pub Company), Well Rd. Reopened on 15 December 2021. Four cask beers were available on a visit in January: Fuller’s London Pride, Dark Star Hophead, Leeds Midnight Bell and Taylor Landlord. It is run by Northern Union Pubs, owned by the team who own Leeds Brewery. This is their third pub in north London, all taken on after being closed long term.
NW4, GREYHOUND (Greyhound Trust), 52 Church End. Reopened after two years of closure. Keg beers from Brixton and Wolfpack breweries. Real ales Taylor Landlord and St Austell Tribute recently available.
NW10, GREENES, 362 Neasden Lane North. Reopened.
SE1, MAD HATTER (Fuller’s), 3-7 Stamford St. Reopened November having remained closed since the previous December.
SE9, O’CHEESE’S BAR, 13 Lingfield Cres. Previously Indian and Turkish restaurants, the premises have been completely renovated by Ted Cheeseman, the British light-middleweight boxing champion until October 2021, to create this bar which also opened in October. Cask status unknown.
SE16, BLUE ANCHOR (Craft Union), 251 Southwark Park Rd. Real ale introduced in 2021:-Doom Bar and London Pride.
SE18, TAPROOM SE18 (Molson Coors). Renamed SALT WOOLWICH after purchase by the Salt Beer Factory. Real ale once again available with two beers from Ossett.
SW1, CHAMPAGNE BAR AT 116 PALL MALL. A Searcy’s champagne bar in the cellars of a Grade I-listed building; once the wine cellars of the Prince of Wales and the United Service Club. Above is the HQ of the Institute of Directors. A draught pale ale and lager are available plus some bar seats if you don’t want table service. As you might expect, prices reflect the location and ambience.
SW1, CLARENDON COCKTAIL CELLAR (Emerson Pub Co), 52 Cambridge St. Hotel bar now open to the public again as ARTIST RESIDENCE. Now a cafe, club room and terrace space. Draught lager and pale ale available, served in two-third pints.
SW1, M BAR VICTORIA ST (M W Restaurants), Unit 3, Zig Zag Building, 70 Victoria St. Reopened.
SW1, OTHER PALACE BAR (Really Useful Group), 12 Palace St. Theatre bar reopened although the theatre is now run by Bill Kenwright.
SW1, PRINCE OF WALES (Stonegate Pub Partners), 91 Wilton Rd. Reopened.
SW1, SPOONS UNDER THE WATER (McMullen), 16-18 Whitehall. The former LORD MOON OF THE MALL reopened as the HORSE & GUARDSMAN following a major refurbishment and is now split level. Was a temporary popup in the Autumn of 2020. Now selling four real ales from McMullen: AK, Country, IPA and a seasonal.
SW5, PEMBROKE (Greene King/Metropolitan), 261 Old Brompton Rd. Reopened.
SW9, DOGS GRANDAD BREWERY TAP, Arch 550, Brixton Station Rd. New brewery taproom opened during 2021
SW9, FRIENDSHIP ADVENTURE BREWERY & TAPROOM, Unit G1, Coldharbour Works, 245a Coldharbour La. New brewery taproom opened during 2021.
SW13, TREE HOUSE (Heineken), 73 White Hart La. Reopened and renamed CROSSING after a £450k refurbishment by restaurant, bar and hospitality operator, Christian Arden and Heineken, serving either Taylor Landlord or Black Sheep Best Bitter
SW15, COPPA CLUB PUTNEY (Various Eateries), 29 Brewhouse La. Situated on a square one side of which is the Thames, this newly opened venue (November 2021) looks out over Putney Bridge. Three kegs available.
SW16, CHALKPIT, The High Parade, 20-21 Streatham High Rd. Reopened as CARMINE in October 2021, sellingl Brixton keg beers.
W1, BOK BAR, 56 Blandford St. After a long period of closure, reopened as FLOWERHOUSE in November 2021. “Revives an old English pub in the heart of Marylebone. Serving fresh, locally sourced food and drinks daily, our mission is to support women in the hospitality industry.” Further plans include a dining room and two-floor apartment on the upper floors. Despite its female-focus, the operators have stated that Flowerhouse will still be “a classic pub”, but handpumps appear to be unused.
W1, GENUINE LIQUORETTE, 6 Rathbone Pl. Reopened by Urban Pubs & Bars and reverted to BLACK HORSE. Cocktails and craft beers but no cask ales.
W1, GEORGE, 55 Great Portland St. Finally reopened in late November 2021 after five years of closure. The interior renovation has been carried out to a high standard. Real ales on reopening were Purity Mad Goose, St Austell Tribute and Thornbridge Jaipur.
W1, PAM’S, 18-20 Grafton St. Reopened in May 2021 as a pub by Barworks who had bought it as ‘The Diner’ restaurant, and now operated by Urban Pubs & Bars. Several craft keg beers but no real ale. Was BAR MONACO, BAR NORMAN and originally BRASSERIE NORMAN
W1, SOCIAL, 5 Little Portland St. Reopened.
W4, FOXLOW, 11 Barley Mow Passage. Reopened as BETTY in March 2021, a bar/restaurant with self dispense wine, beers, cocktails, brunch, lunch, dinner, roasts.
W12, QUEEN ADELAIDE (Greene King/Metropolitan), 412 Uxbridge Rd. Unexpectedly reopened 17 December 2021 following March 2020 closure. No longer part of the Metropolitan brand.
W13, OLD HAT (True Pub Co leased from Greene King), 128 Broadway. Real ale reinstated, currently Taylor Landlord.
W14, COLTON ARMS (Hippo Inns), 187 Greyhound Rd. Now owned by Redcat Pub Co. Real ale reinstated. Regular beers Five Points XPA and Timothy Taylor Boltmaker. An additional beer may appear if demand requires.
WC2, CHESHIRE CHEESE (Shepherd Neame), 5 Little Essex St. Reopened late in 2021 after being closed for over a year.
WC2, DALY’S WINE BAR (City Pub Company), 210 Strand. Reopened in November 2021.
OUTER LONDON
HAM, HAND & FLOWER (Stonegate Pub Partners), Upper Ham Rd. Real ale reinstated: Fuller’s London Pride.
HIGH BARNET, GREEN MAN, 143 High St. Reopened as LIBRARY BAR, a refined yet unpretentious privately run wine bar by night and coffee house by day, according to the owners! No real ale but they do offer Mad Squirrel Zumo on keg.
HILLINGDON, VINE INN (Blackrose Pubs), 121 Hillingdon Hill. Real ale reinstated: Doom Bar.
RICHMOND, DUKE (Tavern Property Co), 2-3 Duke St. Reopened in May having closed at first lockdown and with leaseholder Food & Fuel going into administration. Now run by LT management until new leaseholder is found.
SOUTH RUISILIP, GOURMET 4, Unit 4, The Old Dairy. Part of the food marketplace chain. This one contains Pizzaro, Fat Burgers, Smokey Joe’s and Saucy Chicks. The bar had four keg beers. Was FRANKIE & BENNY’S (unreported).
SURBITON, DUKE (Greene King), 64-65 Victoria Rd. Reopened in December 2021 after 20 months of closure.
SUTTON, SOUND LOUNGE, 216-220 High St. Music venue with a cafe open during the day and a licensed bar. The food is plant-based and in addition to a range of keg beers, a changing cask ale is served from the single handpump. Evening music features Americana, blues, folk and roots performances.
SUTTON, BAR & BLOCK (Whitbread), St Nicholas Way. The Sutton branch of Bar and Block opened in November 2019. A range of draught beers but no cask ale.
TWICKENHAM, GEORGE (Greene King), 32 King St. Reopened 1 November 2021.
TWICKENHAM, JAWBONE BREWERY, Unit C, 2 Strawberry Vale. New independent 30-hectolitre craft brewery next to a working boatyard in Twickenham Vale. The BeerDock taproom opened 27 November 2021 and hopes to be open Thursday and Friday evenings and all day Saturday.
| PUBS & CLUBS CLOSED, CONVERTED, OR CEASED SELLING REAL ALE |
INNER LONDON
EC3, FOLLY (Drake & Morgan). No real ale.
EC4, TAPPIT HEN (Davy’s). Closed, future uncertain.
E8, DOLPHIN (Stonegate Pub Partners). Closed, licence suspended following violent incident.
E8, SPURSTOWE ARMS (Heineken). No real ale
N1, ALMA (One Mile End Brew Co), 77-78 Chapel Market. No real ale.
N1, BILL MURRAY (Stonegate Pub Partners). No real ale.
N4, KINGS HEAD (Tavern Property Co). Handpumps removed.
N22, EARTH TAP (Haringey Council). Closed as Earth Ale has moved to Oxfordshire. Bus will be used for another purpose as yet not known.
SE6, CATFORD BRIDGE TAVERN (Camden Bars). Handpumps removed 2021.
SE6, NINTH LIFE (Laine), 167 Rushey Green. No real ale.
SE7, GREEN GODDESS. Pop-up pub now closed.
SE18, EARL OF CHATHAM (Stonegate Pub Partners). No real alee.
SE25, HOLMESDALE (Stonegate Pub Partners). Renamed KILKENNY TAVERN and now no real ale. Was WHITE HORSE.
SW1, ADRIAN’S BAR & BISTRO. Renamed BERRY’S BAR but now closed. Was BALLS BROTHERS,
SW1, BELGRAVIA (Heineken). Reported signage removed and boarded up.
SW3, CHELSEA PIG. No real ale.
SW6, WHOLE FOODS MARKET. Beers sold can no longer be consumed on the premises.
SW11, CANDLEMAKER (Laine), 136 Battersea High St. Cask beer discontinued in 2021 owing to lack of demand.
WC2, SUN (Stonegate Pub Partners), 21 Drury La. No real ale.
WC2, NELL OF OLD DRURY (Stonegate). After becoming a managed pub, handpumps unused late 2021 possibly due to lack of footfall.
WC2, SAVOY TAP (Shepherd Neame). No real ale due to lack of demand.
WC2, TERROIRS. Did not reopen after last lockdown and announced June 2021 permanent closure.
W4, STATION HOUSE (Punch). Closed with lease on the market, upstairs being converted to residential.
W8, WHOLE FOODS MARKET. Beers can no longer be consumed on the premises.
W12, W12 STUDIOS. Reported closed by December 2021 and premises available for rent.
OUTER LONDON
CRANFORD, HESTON CENTRE (Imperial College), Crane Lodge Rd. Purchased by QPR in December 2020. Current buildings to be demolished. To be QPR training ground with some community use. Hosted the annual Heathrow Beer Festival when it was the CONCORDE CLUB
DAGENHAM, ADMIRAL VERNON (Stonegate Pub Partners). No real ale.
HEATHROW AIRPORT, FLYING CHARIOT (Wetherspoon). Closed during 2020 and on the list of Wetherspoon pubs not reopening.
HEATHROW AIRPORT, WETHERSPOON EXPRESS (Wetherspoon). Closed during 2020 and on the list of Wetherspoon pubs not reopening.
ISLEWORTH, ISLEWORTH WORKING MEN’S CLUB. Club sold April 2021 and reports itself permanently closed.
KENTON, NEW MOON (Wetherspoon). Closed in 2020 and on the list of Wetherspoon pubs not reopening.
KINGSTON, WOODY`S. Real ale discontinued.
ORPINGTON, WHITE HART. Closed following a fire on 30 November 2021.
UXBRIDGE, MILLER’S TAP (Stonegate). Handpumps removed November 2021.
| OTHER CHANGES |
INNER LONDON
N4, AULD TRIANGLE. Reopened as PLIMSOLL under new operators following refurbishment. Keg including two Thornbridge and a Harbour.
SE1, GEORGE (Stonegate Pub Partners), 40 Tower Bridge Rd. Being converted to Craft Union format.
SE8, TAPROOM SE8 (Molson Coors). Renamed SALT DEPTFORD following sale to Salt of Yorkshire.
SE15, RYE (Greene King/Metropolitan). Renamed ANGEL OAK.
SE27, PAXTON (Greene King/True Pub Co). Now operated by Queens House.
SW4, RECTORY (M&B). Renamed PIG’S HEAD by same operator as the PIG & BUTCHER in Islington
SW10, WORLD’S END MARKET (Wellington). Renamed CHELSEA FUNHOUSE (AT WORLD’S END DISTILLERY). One of a small London chain of ‘Funhouses’. A multi-floor venue with food, snacks, cocktails and a couple of keg beers on offer.
SW11, POWDERKEG (Clapham Leisure). Renamed ST JOHN’S TAVERN in 2021.
W2, QUEENS ICE & BOWL. Renamed QUEENS MEATLIQUOR BAR & DINING, part of the Meatliquor chain.
W14, OLD OAK (Craft Union). Transferred to Redcat Pub Co. Format currently unknown.
WC2, NELL OF OLD DRURY (Stonegate Pub Partners). Converted to managed.
OUTER LONDON
BRENTFORD, CASPARI LOUNGE & RESTAURANT. Renamed MAKAI.
GREENFORD, WISHING WELL (Stonegate Pub Partners). Converted to Craft Union format December 2021. Still no real ale.
HAREFIELD, BEAR ON THE BARGE (Heineken). Reopened after two month refurbishment as RIVER GARDEN under new management.
SOUTH HARROW, O’DONNELL’S. Renamed HARROW SPORTS BAR.
TEDDINGTON, ABERCORN ARMS (Punch). Reopened on 11 November 2021 as a Big Smoke managed partnership with Punch. The bar stocks 12 keg beers, six real ales and two ciders.