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 for pub details, and to ‘Submit Update’ when they find incomplete or out-of-date information.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
EC2, GREEN MAN (ex Wetherspoon), 1 Poultry. Reopened in late 2019 as PUTTSHACK BANK following redevelopment as a crazy golf concept similar to the one at Westfield White City. No real ale.
EC4, FARRINGDON TAP (Bloomsbury Leisure), 41 Farringdon St. Based in a former restaurant, this bar has three levels. The ground floor single bar dispenses 4 cask ales and a range of keg and bottles. There is additional seating downstairs and a mezzanine floor.
EC4, GRAND UNION (Star), Rolls Passage,-Chancery La. Reopened and renamed SHUTTERS by new operator Johnson Collective. Mainly a cocktail bar with keg beers. Was BLUE ANCHOR.
E1, DUKE OF WELLINGTON (Mendoza), 12 Toynbee St. Reopened. Modernized and refurbished – large selection of keg beers. Real ales are Doom Bar and Landlord.
E2, BETHNAL GREEN TAVERN (Mosaic Pub & Dining), 456 Bethnal Green Rd. Refurbished and reopened by Grace Land pubs in March 2020. Up to 3 cask ales and 13 keg lines from Camden, Kernel, Northern Monk and Omnipollo.
E4, STATION HOUSE (Marston’s), 134-138 Station Rd. Reopened as the RUSTY BIKE. Doom Bar and two guests (from East London Brewing and Signal). 12 keg taps including Singha, Blue Moon, Cobra and Rusty Bike Lager. Thai food
E5, ELEPHANTS HEAD (Speakeasy Trading), 43 Lower Clapton Rd. Reopened as a SLICE OF BLUE pizza bar. Pizza companies Firezza and Santa Maria have teamed up to provide a range of pizzas, including vegan, with craft beers on tap and in bottles
E8, CROWN & CASTLE, 600 Kingsland Rd. Reopened under original name by Barworks after spending 20 years as a Chinese restaurant and then the Diner. Modern pub with a range of keg beers.
E8, PRINCE ARTHUR, 95 Forest Rd. Reopened in January by new operator Tiny Dancer.
E9, MOTHER KELLY’S BOTTLE SHOP, 186 Well St. Bottle shop with basement tasting room opened in 2015.
E14, ELECTRIC SHUFFLE, 10 Cabot Sq. Opened November from the team behind Flight Club, the concept here is shuffleboard. Three draught beers from Brixton as well as standard keg beer. Craft cans also available.
E14, GIANT ROBOT BEER BAR Garden Level, Crossrail Pl. Opened in 2017 as one of the bars in the Giant Robot street food complex; 38 keg taps.
E14, VAGABOND CANARY WHARF, Unit 3, 25 Cabot Sq. The 7th site to open, it claims to showcase London’s first self-pour beer dispenser. Up to 10 craft kegs, including London brewed Boxcar beer.
E16, WINDJAMMER (Fuller’s), Summerston House, Starboard Way, Royal Wharf. New Fuller’s pub opened in March in residential development with ‘breath-taking views of the river and Thames Barrier’. Real ales are Pride and a Fuller’s seasonal.
E20, MOTHER KELLY’S, 27-30 Victory Pde. 5th location for the chain offering 20 different keg beers on tap; opened last October.
N7, HAMMERTON BREWERY TAPROOM, Unit 8 & 9, Roman Way Ind Est, 149 Roman Way. Large taproom that looks to offer a full range of the brewery’s beers plus specials, all likely to be on keg.
N15, PALM (Nectarine Gardens Property Ltd), 197 Philip La. Now confirmed as being fully open with 2 cask beers from local breweries.
N16, MOTHER KELLY’S BOTTLE SHOP, 92 Stoke Newington Church St. Bottle shop opened in 2016 offering six keg beers.
N17, REDEMPTION BREWERY TAPROOM, Unit 16 Compass West Est, West Rd. Open from 11am for all weekend Spurs homes games in the 2020 season. Keg and cask beers.
N22, GOODNESS BREWING COMPANY TAP, 5a Clarendon Yard, Coburg Rd. One of the beers is usually available on cask.
NW5, BULL & LAST, 168 Highgate Rd. Reopened after a long period of closure for an extensive refurbishment.
SE3, CLARENDON HOTEL CHART BAR, 8-16 Montpelier Row. In the basement of the hotel, part of a stunning Georgian terrace, the bar is accessed via the Reception area. Well appointed and open to non-residents, it serves plenty of national and Meantime keg beers but no real ale
SE8, ROYAL GEORGE (Samuel Smith), 85 Tanners Hill. Reopened. Still no cask beer.
SE10, HARVESTER (M&B), O2, Entertainment Ave. Converted to Nicholson format as OBSERVATORY. Real ale available.
SE16, AFFINITY BREW CO. TASTING ROOM, 7 Almond Rd. Now has one beer dispensed from handpump.
SE18, PLUMSTEADSHIRE, 21-23 Lakedale Rd. A pop-up pub operation under the aegis of the nascent Common Rioters Brewery (currently brewing with Brew Buddies) that operates in Lakedale Coffee for 3 days a week. Likely to have keg beers (some KeyKegs may contain real ale) from 4 taps and a selection of bottled (inc. bottle conditioned) and canned beers, wine and gin. No cask ale.
SE22, DULWICH BEER DISPENSARY (Southey Brewing), 481 Lordship La. Reopened in February.
SW9, BRIXTON BREWERY TAP ROOM, Arch 548, Brixton Station Rd. Sells Brixton Atlantic APA, Electric IPA and a seasonal on handpump.
W14, ELM (Ei Group), 206 North End Rd. Reopened by new operator Fuloak and real ale reinstated. Purity and Wadworth beers recently available.
W5, BEERKAT (Laine Pub Company), 38-39 The Broadway. Opened in January. 12 taps serve up to 4 beers from Laines and a selection of craft beers and a cider. Large selection of cans.
W5, CAVALIERI, 4 The Mall. Opened late 2018 in former restaurant/takeaway premises. Late night cocktail bar. 4 keg beers.
W5, IBIS STYLES LONDON EALING HOTEL (Accor Hotels), 32-38 Uxbridge Rd. New build hotel opening in June 2018 with a movie theme, hence the Studio Bar. 4 keg beers.
OUTER LONDON
BEXLEY, BALDWYN’S FREEHOLDERS ASSOCIATION & CLUB., Baldwyn’s Park. Typically two cask beers on handpump. Existing club added to database.
BEXLEY, BEXLEY CRICKET CLUB/BURNT ASH HOCKEY CLUB, Manor Way. Strictly members only; owned by Bexley Cricket Club and leased to Burnt Ash Hockey Club over the winter months. St Austell Tribute and Proper Job. Existing club added to database.
BROMLEY, WHITE HORSE, 64 Palace Rd. Real ale reintroduced: 2 guest ales.
COLLIER ROW (ROMFORD), RM5 LOUNGE, 11 Clockhouse La. New bar opened in December in former hair and beauty salon. Keg and bottled beers, coffee, wines, spirits & cocktails. Payment by card/app only.
GREENFORD, DUGOUT SPORTS BAR, 1286 Greenford Rd. Reopened and renamed MOLONEY’S BAR as sister pub to the one on Willesden High Street.
HAYES END, CARPENTERS (Friends Tavern), 1370 Uxbridge Rd. Reopened under new ownership.
HIGH BARNET, RED LION (M&B/Stonehouse Pizza & Carvery), 31 High St. Real ale reinstated, but 5 hand pumps only offer Doom Bar!
KINGSTON, PARK BREWERY TAP ROOM, Unit 7 Hampden Rd. Usually two cask ales plus keg offerings from Park and other local brewers. Open 5-9 on Fridays and possibly Saturdays.
ROMFORD, ROMFORD ROYAL BRITISH LEGION CLUB, Goodchild House, 54 Western Rd. Greene King IPA and London Glory
SIDCUP, SIDCUP & FOOTS CRAY UNITED SERVICES CLUB, 108 Main Rd. Club added to the database – real ale status unknown.
SUDBURY, FUSILIER (Euro Promoters), 652 Harrow Rd. Reopened after long refurbishment.
TWICKENHAM, LE BARON (Wellington), 65 Richmond Rd. Reopened as WAGS N TALES, a dog friendly café bar serving artisan coffee, homemade food (vegetarian/vegan) and a selection of lagers, ales and cocktails. A similar cafe operates in Surbiton. Real ales: Dark Star Hophead and Revelation.
WELLING, FALCONWOOD CLUB, 1 Falconwood Ave. Club added to the database – real ale status unknown.
WEST SUTTON, GANDER (Stonegate), 2 St. Dunstan’s Hill. Real ale reinstated: Doom Bar and three guests.
WORCESTER PARK, ROYAL BRITISH LEGION WORCESTER PARK SOCIAL CLUB, 69-75 Central Rd. Usually two real ales.
| PUBS & CLUBS CLOSED, CONVERTED, OR CEASED SELLING REAL ALE |
INNER LONDON
EC2, WE ARE BAR (Kornicis). Closed.
E2, MARQUIS OF CORNWALLIS (Ei Group/Craft Union). No real ale.
E2, SHAKESPEARE (County Estates). No real ale.
E2, WORKERS ARMS (Bloomsbury Leisure Group). Closed.
E3, NEW GLOBE (Ei Group). Renamed CHERRY under Dirty Liquor cocktail bar format. No real ale.
E4, HARVESTER (M&B). Like the rest of the chain, no real ale.
E6, BOLEYN TAVERN (Remarkable Pubs). Closed for refurbishment that will take around 8 months
E15, BUILDERS ARMS (Wellington). Closed in Jan 2020 with planning consent Nov 2018 by the London Legacy Development Corporation for a rear extension, retention of public house and conversion of upper floors to flats.
E15, CART & HORSES. Closed for refurbishment until early 2021.
E16, HENLEY ARMS (Star). Handpumps unused Feb 2020.
E16, HUSK BREWING TAPROOM. Cask beer no longer available.
N1, NAG’S HEAD (Stonegate). Closed for conversion to a Be at One cocktail bar.
N1C, CHAPEL DOWN GIN WORKS. Closed Jan 2020 after only one year, reportedly due to low footfall.
N12, SAFARI CLUB BAR (Radia Estates). Now demolished: site has become a car rental showroom.
N16, BIRDCAGE (Ei Group). No real ale.
N18, DICEY REILLY’S. Handpump removed.
N20, CAVALIER (Greene King). As of February, no real ale.
N22, LORD NELSON (Blueberry Garden Properties). Closed in August 2019. Lease on the market.
NW1, CONSTITUTION (Pubs of Distinction). Freeholder Tavern Propco sold the pub to Young’s who promptly closed it for a lengthy refurbishment.
NW1, MONARCH (Camden Bars). Closed. Licence transferred to ZX Ventures (owned by AB Inbev). Originally MAN IN THE MOON.
NW1, PERSEVERANCE. Again reported closed with a forfeiture notice on window and lease for sale.
NW6, KITCHEN 79. Latterly a Chinese restaurant/bar run by the same management as when it was CALDO but now permanently closed.
NW10, SHAWL. No real ale.
SE1, BLUE EYED MAID (Star). Closed, lights off and internal fittings being removed.
SE17, ORBIT BEERS LONDON TAP ROOM. Closed due to licensing issues.
SE25, JOLLY SAILOR (Star). Closed, future uncertain.
SE27, LONDON BEER FACTORY BREWERY TAP ROOM, 160 Hamilton Rd. Reported closed, Oct 2019.
SE27, PARK (Star). Closed. Freehold for sale.
SW1, JEWEL BAR (Novus Leisure). Demolished.
SW6, LOST HOURS (Wellington/City Pub Co). No cask beer; the Sambrook’s Session referred to in the last update was keg.
SW11, BEN’S CANTEEN, 140 St Johns Hill. Closed in January, repossessed by landlord.
SW16, CHALKPIT. Closed in January.
W1, TAKEOVER (Soho Estates). Closed in 2017 for redevelopment retaining façade.
W5, GROSVENOR HOUSE SOCIAL CLUB & INSTITUTE. Demolished. New social club planned in residential development.
OUTER LONDON
CROYDON, MATTHEWS YARD. Closed, building to be demolished. They are hoping to move to new premises.
ENFIELD, ROSE & CROWN (Star). Closed, lease on the market.
ENFIELD, SUN & WOOLPACK (Greene King). No cask ale but you may find some bottle conditioned.
SUTTON, PLOUGH (M&B/Harvester). Like the rest of the chain, no real ale.
WELLING, GUY, EARL OF WARWICK (Greene King). No real ale.
WELLING, PLOUGH & HARROW (Trust Inns). No real ale.
| OTHER CHANGES |
INNER LONDON
EC4, SEA HORSE (Ei Group). Converted to Bermondsey Pub Co format during recent refurbishment
E1, BAR KICK. Lease taken over by Urban Pubs & Bars
E3, ALBERT (Ei Group). Converted to Craft Union format. Handpumps unused.
E14, CAFE ROUGE. Renamed NO 35 MACKENZIE WALK by Darwin & Wallace in October. Modern bar and restaurant. Keg beer.
E14, SMOLLENSKY’S. Reopened by Living Ventures Nov 2019 as ALCHEMIST, the latest in the cocktail chain and spanning two floors. At least 5 keg beers should be available.
E17, EMPIRE LOUNGE. Renamed MYSHISH. Seems to be more of a restaurant.
N1, LIBRARY (Ei Group). Converted to Bermondsey Pub Co format.
N7, DEPOT (West Berkshire Brewery). Now operated by Mosaic Pub & Dining.
N10, JOHN BAIRD (Patron Capital). Renamed VILLAGE GREEN and now run by the Laine Pub Company. 20 lines on keg walls. Real ale still available.
N15, DUTCH HOUSE (Admiral Taverns). Renamed STATION HOUSE.
N16, CLARENCE TAVERN (Charles Wells). Lease acquired by Natural Pubs.
N17, BREWHEADZ. Renamed ORA BREWING TAPROOM.
NW1, LOCKSIDE, 75-89 Upper Walkway, Camden Lock Pl. Canalside pub and restaurant opened in 2013 but now operated by Mosaic Pub & Dining. Keg beers from Camden and elsewhere.
NW5, CAMDEN TOWN BREWERY TAP. Main taproom closed for refurbishment, temporary pop up bar available.
NW6, COCK TAVERN. Renamed JUNIPER.
NW6, ONE BOURBON TAVERN. Renamed WOLFPACK in 2020: New Wolfpack Lager bar. 15 taps. No real ale.
SE1, LORD CLYDE (Ei Group). Converted to Bermondsey Pub Co format.
SW11, GROVE (Ei Group). Under new management and renamed SOUTH WEST ELEVEN in February 2020. Handpumps had been removed some months earlier.
W12, WHITE HORSE (Ei Group). Converted to Craft Union format. Real ale status unknown.
OUTER LONDON
DAGENHAM, ME AN’ O’BRIEN’S. Renamed GORESBROOK.
OSTERLEY, OSTERLEY PARK HOTEL. Renamed TERMINAL 6 LOUNGE.
WEALDSTONE, EVEREST LOUNGE. Renamed SPICE KLUB.