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 for pub details, and to ‘Submit Update’ when they find incomplete or out-of-date information.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 – INCLUDING THOSE CONVERTED TO REAL ALE |
INNER LONDON
EC1, BEER HAWK, 38 Charterhouse St. Reopened as SMITHFIELD TAP from Ad-Hoc pubs. 12 keg beers plus bottles.
EC1, CLERKENWELL TAVERN (Mosaic), 106 Farringdon Rd/2 Exmouth Market. Real ale reinstated: 2 guest beers, e.g. Five Points XPA and Timothy Taylor Landlord.
EC1, PEARL & FEATHERS, 362 St John St. Reopened in November 2023 as CRUDOUGH ANGEL, a pizza restaurant and bar with 12 keg beers.
EC3, GOLDEN GOOSE (One Circle Events), 13-15 Leadenhall Market. Tank and keg beers.
EC4, HARRILD & SONS (Urban Pubs & Bars), 26 Farringdon St. Real ale reinstated: a guest beer such as Gun Scaramanga Extra Pale.
WC2, OCHE, 105 Strand. On the site of a demolished Smollensky’s restaurant, the substantial rebuild included retail units at ground-floor level of which this, combining tech-enhanced darts with gastro food, is one of the growing number of socialising ‘experience venues’ in London. Some keg beers and lagers are on offer.
WC2, SMOKING GOAT, 7 Denmark St. Finally reopened after five years of closure as DRAM BAR: whisky specialist, cocktail bar and coffee shop with pool table and outdoor terrace. Guinness and a keg lager are available.
E1, LOFT SPITALFIELDS (One Circle Events), Old Spitalfields Market. Modern bar on the mezzanine with hanging gardens. Opened in 2021. 10 standard keg taps. Food is pizza.
E1, MERCHANT & WEAVER (One Circle Events), 8 Lamb St. Traditional style bar in Old Spitalfields Market opened in 2022 with outdoor seating. 12 mainstream keg taps.
E6, MILLER’S WELL, 419-421 Barking Rd. Ex-Wetherspoon reopened in December 2023 by the operator of the Overdraft Tavern, E6. No real ale.
E17, CLAPTON CRAFT DEPOT, 147-151, Unit 1, Wood St. Opened in April 2021 by the small chain of Clapton Craft bottle shops, near their distribution warehouse. ‘The Depot’ has much more drinking space than their other sites, with white decor and big clear front windows. No real ale but about 10 draught beers and 400 bottled, plus wines, cocktails and snacks. Outdoor drinking area.
N1, CHARLES LAMB, 16 Elia St. Reopened in November 2023 after a long period of closure as the TAMIL CROWN, a sister pub to the TAMIL PRINCE, with Purity Mad Goose and Longhorn on handpump.
N1, NORTHWOOD, 30 Parkfield St. A new sports bar in the Angel Central shopping centre since September 2023. Keg beers.
N22, LORD NELSON, 232-234 High Rd. Having spent a year or two as a Turkish restaurant, reopened as a sports pub now called RATTLE & HUM. Craft beers and standard keg range. Food is pizza. The pub cats are Salt and Pepper.
NW1, CAPTAIN FLINDERS (Wetherspoon), 34-38 Eversholt St. Opened in January in former strip club. Named after Captain Matthew Flinders whose remains were discovered during HS2 works. Greene King Abbot; Ruddles Best Bitter and Sharp’s Doom Bar, plus one guest ale, initially Twickenham Naked Ladies.
NW10, WILLIAM IV (Wellington), 786 Harrow Rd. Reopened by Loci Pubs and losing the IV. Purity Mad Goose and Seacider Black Cherry were on handpump January.
SE1, CORNER BAR, Tate Modern, 53 Bankside. Opened in 2023 as a Tate Modern refreshment venue described as an all-day cafe and bar, opening onto an outdoor summer terrace. 14 keg beer taps and a large range of bottled and canned beers.
SE1, GERMAN KRAFT, 42 Newington Causeway. A brewpub opened in December 2017 in the large Mercato Metropolitano food and drink complex, with gleaming brewing equipment behind the bar counter and dedicated trestle tables for the brewery, situated in a little alcove off the Mercato. German-style beers served in the German way.
SE9, BAT & BALL, 275 Court Rd. Micropub opened in November 2023 in a former end-terrace florist’s shop. Four cask beers on gravity and bag-in-box cider served from a chilled room, plus draught lagers and wine. Seating for roughly 30 inside at settles and high stools.
SE16, IT AIN’T MUCH IF IT AIN’T DUTCH, 67-68 Enid St. A Dutch bar with 30 keg taps in the heart of Bermondsey’s Beer Mile, opened in the second half of 2023 in converted railway arches.
SE18, SALT WOOLWICH (Salt London), 15 Major Draper St. Sells a real ale either from Ossett or Salt.
SE19, MEMORY BOX, 66 Westow Hill. Reopened as ALESSANDRO’S, Italian restaurant and bar. Keg beers available.
SW3, QUEENS HEAD, 25-27 Tryon St. Closed for seven years, finally reopened in December 2023 under the Tom Kerridge BUTCHER’S TAP & GRILL concept. Following very substantial refurb work, the ground-floor pub features a focal hardwood bar, chestnut leather booth seating and a bespoke timber staircase. Three handpumps serve fairly low-ABV session beers including Rebellion IPA.
SW6, BROADWAY BAR & GRILL (Stonegate), 474-476 Fulham Rd. Reopened.
SW19, BEER & BEYOND, 73 Ridgway. Opened initially as an off-licence in 2021 but since early 2003 has offered seating for half a dozen customers to sample its variety of unusual and exotic beers etc, including three on tap. Local breweries such as Drop Project are well promoted.
SW19, ROYAL STANDARD, 180 High St. Now offers one or two changing beers, e.g. Caledonian Deuchars IPA or a Greene King seasonal.
W1, GEORGE & DRAGON (Ad-hoc Pubco), 151 Cleveland St. Real ale reinstated: Timothy Taylor Landlord.
OUTER LONDON
BECKENHAM, MANSION CAFE & BAR, Beckenham Hill Rd. Previously unreported café now serving keg beer, wine, prosecco and spirits.
BROMLEY COMMON, BIRD IN HAND (Stonegate), 62 Gravel Rd. Reopened with Harvey’s Sussex Best Bitter and Young’s Bitter as regular beers.
CHEAM, CHEAM SOCIAL CLUB, 111/123 Church Hill Rd. Sells up to three real ales; previously unreported.
FELTHAM, AIRMAN, Hanworth Rd. Reopened; Sharp’s Doom Bar and St Austell Tribute.
KENLEY, KENLEY HOTEL (Heineken), 62 Godstone Rd. Reopened; Timothy Taylor Landlord.
PINNER, THREE WISHES, 32 Bridge St. Another Halifax Bank conversion from this local chain. This one has real ale: Sharp’s Doom Bar and St Austell Tribute.
TEDDINGTON, RED LION (Stonegate), 164-166 Stanley Rd. Reopened.
TEDDINGTON, WALDEGRAVE ARMS, 209 Waldegrave Rd. Reopened as WALDEGRAVE ARMS & SIYANSH COCKTAIL BAR. No real ale.
| PUBS & CLUBS CLOSED, CONVERTED, OR CEASED SELLING REAL ALE |
INNER LONDON
EC1, LAZY BONES (Davy). Closed, future uncertain.
EC1, LONG LANE. Closed, future uncertain.
EC1, OLD CHINA HAND. No longer sells real ale.
EC1, TEMPLE OF ART & MUSIC SMITHFIELD. Closed, future uncertain.
E5, SLICE OF BLUE. Closed; lease on the market since May 2023.
E11, DAM TASTY BEER TAPROOM. Short-lived; closed February 2023.
E14, QUEENS HEAD. The pub where the Queen Mother pulled a pint no longer sells real ale.
N1, NO SUCH PLACE. Closed, future uncertain.
N1, PIN UPS, Converted to Jam Delish café.
N4, WORLDS END (Greene King/Metropolitan). No longer sells real ale.
N6, DUKE’S HEAD. No longer sells real ale.
N7, HOUSE OF HAMMERTON (Hammerton Brewery). No real ale (again).
N8, PRINCESS ALEXANDRA (Stonegate). Closed, looking for a new tenant.
N9, HYDE ARMS (RedCat). Reported to have become the Balkanika restaurant.
N16, CROSSROADS. Taps serve cocktails; no draught beer.
NW6, SIR COLIN CAMPBELL (Stonegate). No longer sells real ale.
NW10, LE JUNCTION. Closed, freehold for sale.
SE1, PRINCE OF WALES, 51 St Georges Rd. No longer sells real ale.
SE1, PRINCE WILLIAM HENRY. Closed for demolition work. A new pub should appear in the replacement 15/22 storey building.
SE4, CROFTON PARK TAVERN (Mosaic), 330-332 Brockley Rd. No longer sells real ale.
SE14, FLOWER OF KENT (Wellington). Appears to have closed in late December 2023 for reasons unknown.
SE22, BROUGHAM. Closed c. March 2022, becoming Kokum Indian restaurant July 2023.
SW2, EFFRA HALL. No longer sells real ale.
SW6, KING’S HOUSE (Wellington/City Pub Company). Closed, now a hireable events venue. Lease on the market.
SW6, WELLINGTON (Manica Properties). Closed. Planning granted for conversion to flats.
SW13, WATERMANS ARMS (Wellington). Although this establishment sells Fuller’s London Pride, it does not welcome casual drinkers. Returned to restaurant use.
SW18, HOP POLE (Shepherd Neame). Real ale no longer available again.
W1, ARBER GARDEN (Open House London). Closed, future uncertain.
W1, SIMMONS FITZROVIA (Wellington). Closed autumn 2023; lease on the market.
W1, WHITE HORSE (Samuel Smith), Rupert St. No longer sells real ale.
W12, POCKET WATCH (Brakspear). No longer sells real ale.
OUTER LONDON
BECKENHAM, KELSEY HOUSE. Closed due to adjacent building works until at least the end of March.
BIGGIN HILL, FLYING MACHINE (Stonegate/LP Pubs & Bars). No longer sells real ale.
CHESSINGTON, CRICKETERS (Admiral Taverns). No longer sells real ale.
CROYDON, ALWYN CLUB, Closed January 2023, future uncertain.
CROYDON, GUSTOSO RESTAURANT & BAR. Once part of the Lansdowne Hotel, closed and demolished for housing.
ENFIELD, SIX BELLS HOTEL. No longer sells real ale.
GIDEA PARK, DRILL (Heineken). No longer sells real ale.
HARLINGTON, WHEATSHEAF (Stonegate). Closed December 2023, freehold apparently sold.
HIGH BARNET, WEAVER’S BAR. Renamed BARRINGTON. No longer sells real ale.
ILFORD, PAPERMAKERS ARMS (Stonegate). Closed since March 2022, owner seeking new tenant.
ROMFORD, CARAWAY LOUNGE (Macneil). Closed 2021, changed into an Indian and Turkish restaurant in March 2023.
RUISLIP, BARN HOTEL. Closed Sept 2023. Future uncertain. Planning granted to demolish extensions. Likely to be converted to residential.
RUISLIP, ORCHARD (Whitbread). Closed December 2023, future uncertain.
ST MARY CRAY, WHITE SWAN (Stonegate). Closed September 2023, freehold on the market.
UXBRIDGE, UXBRIDGE & DISTRICT CONSERVATIVE CLUB. No longer selling real ale; beer available from Rebellion mini-barrel system.
WALLINGTON, GRANGE (Punch). No longer sells real ale.
| OTHER CHANGES |
INNER LONDON
E1, SIMMONS BRICK LANE. Now BILLY BOOTLEGGERS. American style music bar. Booking required for some events.
E2, CATCH (Shoreditch Bar Group). Relocated TEQUILA MOCKINGBIRD SHOREDITCH from 6 Kingsland Rd. Cocktail bar with bottled beer.
E5, CROOKED BILLET (London Ordinaries). Now operated by Young’s; beer range likely to have changed.
E17, LORD PALMERSTON (Stonegate). Converted to Craft Union format.
N1, LIBRARY (Stonegate). Renamed ISLINGTON ARTS CLUB.
N7, CORONET (Wetherspoon). Now owned by DN Properties. Adnams Southwold Bitter; Fuller’s London Pride; Greene King IPA; St Austell Tribute and a guest ale.
N9, LAMB (Stonegate). Converted to Craft Union format.
N16, BIRDCAGE (Stonegate). Reverted to tenanted.
N16, MARQUIS OF LANSDOWNE (Golden Age Pubs 2). Shortened to MARQUIS
N17, ELBOW ROOM (Stonegate). Converted to Craft Union format.
N18, WHITE HORSE (Stonegate/Craft Union). Sold to N18 Investments Ltd. Now independent.
NW6, PRIORY TAVERN (Stonegate). Reverted to tenanted.
SE1, VICTORY (Urban Pubs & Bars). Windsor & Eton Guardsman and Windsor & Eton Knight of the Garter are the regular beers.
SE16, DOG HOUSE TAP (Bianca Road Brewery). Renamed ENID ST TAVERN.
SE7, WHITE HORSE. Renamed SAIGON CITY in November 2023. A Vietnamese ‘Grill & Bar’ with four keg beers.
SE8, M’ARKS. Now ARKS.
W5, CAVALIERI. Renamed STACK.
OUTER LONDON
CHISLEHURST, GORDON ARMS (Stonegate). Converted to Craft Union format.
CROYDON, BROAD GREEN TAVERN (Stonegate). Already reported closed, sold to DN Properties who recently purchased the CORONET in Holloway.
CROYDON, DICE. Reopened as ENERGY after unreported closure.
KINGSTON, AFC WIMBLEDON. Renamed KINGSMEADOW STADIUM.
PURLEY, FOXLEY HATCH. Closed as a Wetherspoon but reopened by Redhouse Pub Group. Fuller’s London Pride; Morland Old Speckled Hen and Pilgrim Surrey.
RUISLIP, MASALA COAL AT THE BELL (Greene King). Renamed ARTH.
SUDBURY HILL, RISING SUN (Stonegate). The fire damaged the roof and first floor. The ground floor appears to be fairly intact but with no obvious weatherproofing visible.