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 for pub details, and to ‘Submit Update’ when they find incomplete or out-of-date information.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
E4, WINE FACTOR , 75 Station Rd. Wine bar with craft beer in back of off licence.
E10, GRAVITY WELL TAPROOM , Arch 155 Midland Rd. Relocated taproom of Gravity Well brewery. Aims to cover a broad range of the craft beer spectrum while maintaining the focus on their signature hazy, juicy pales and IPAs.
E14, TOMMY FLOWERS PUB , 50 Aberfeldy St. Community owned pub opened summer 2018, named after Tommy Flowers (1905-1998) born a short walk away at 160 Abbott Rd, Poplar. He first worked as an engineer with the Post Office, then went on to design Colossus, ‘the world’s first programmable electronic computer’. The building operates as a community space on Mon-Wed. Beer is Guinness/Carlsberg.
E16, BECKTON ARMS, 1 Beckton Rd. Reopened. No real ale.
N1, KINGS (Ei Group), 59 Essex Rd. Reopened.
NW1, ALBERT, 11 Princess Rd. Having closed in September 2016, reopened officially by Andrew Marr in October. Real ales on reopening:- Dark Star Hophead; Fuller’s London Pride and Thornbridge Jaipur IPA
SE7, WHITE HORSE, 704 Woolwich Rd. Reopened and in business. New front fascia signage says Bar & Bistro. No real ale.
SW8, QUEENS ARMS, 139 St Philip St. A wedge-shaped corner pub, reopened in September 2020 after three years of closure. Sharp’s Doom Bar on handpump.
OUTER LONDON
BEXLEY, NEXT DOOR, 3 Mill Row. Under one of the railway arches, this establishment opened in September, serving four local real ales direct by gravity from cask and by handpump. Also bottled beers, gin, other spirits, prosecco, tea and coffee. It’s very much in the style of a micropub, though it doesn’t promote itself as such. NHS QR code and temperature check on entry. 10% discount on real ale to card-carrying CAMRA members. Was OMG and CAFE TRAX.
NEW MALDEN, BAR MALDEN (Marston’s), 1-3 St George’s Sq. Reopened.
TEDDINGTON, CLOCK HOUSE (Ei Group), 69 High St. Reopened under new management in October. The pub is in the process of redecorating and will also be changing its name in the New Year. Was KINGS ARMS.
WELLING, HANGAR, 35 Bellegrove Rd. This is the sister micropub to the one of the same name at the Oval in Sidcup, and was formally opened by the Mayor of Bexley on 26 October. Four changing real ales on gravity from the likes of Mad Squirrel, No Frills and Twisted Oak, plus real cider (also wines, gins and cocktails). The decor is dark with traditional bench seating arranged in booths, plus a low seating area at the rear. There is currently no outside seating. During the Covid restrictions reservations are recommended at busy times via their website. Payment is by card or cash. Strictly over 21 at all times.
WEMBLEY, WHITE HORSE (Fuller’s), 4 Wembley Park Boulevard. New bar on the ground and mezzanine level of residential development opposite the Wembley Arena. When opened on 2 October real ale was unavailable ‘due to technical problems.’
| PUBS & CLUBS CLOSED, CONVERTED, OR CEASED SELLING REAL ALE |
INNER LONDON
EC1, ARTISAN (OF CLERKENWELL) (Greene King/Metropolitan). Closed, unlikely to reopen under Greene King management. Was PRIORY.
EC1, BARSMITH (Marylebone Leisure Group). Closed for refurbishment in December 2019; still a building site October. Was LONGROOM and the GATE.
EC4, UNION (Union Bar & Grill Ltd) Reported not reopening.
E1, DEAN SWIFT (Wellington. Closed. Planning permission to redevelop site retaining pub was refused March 2020. However in September the pub was a building site.
E1, MECHANIC BREWING COMPANY TAPROOM. Brewery closed 3 November; looking to relocate in 2021.
E4, MO-BO’S. Now Japanese restaurant. Was LOCO LOUNGE, MCQUEENS, LUSH and GIO’S
E10, GRAVITY WELL TAPROOM. Closed. Brewery taproom relocated to another nearby railway arch (see openings above).
E15, BRITANNIA. Closed November 2019 due to identified structural problems. Planning permission refused July 2020 to demolish pub and develop the site retaining a pub.
N1, CHAPEL BAR (Star). Now an event space. Was QUEENS ARMS.
N1, CRAFT BEER CO. ISLINGTON (Craft Beer Co). Not reopening under current management. Was LORD WOLSELEY.
N1, TAPROOM. Imaginatively renamed 163 UPPER STREET under The Wine Cellar of Highgate management. Eight beers on tap promised but no real ale.
N4, OLD DAIRY (Greene King /Metropolitan). Closed, unlikely to reopen under Greene King management.
N4, ZELMAN DRINKS (Ei Group). Closed and boarded, lease available from the Arches Company. Was SILVER BULLET, MULDOONS and GASLIGHT.
N6, DUKE’S HEAD. Closed, lease on the market.
SE10, ROYAL STANDARD. Reported as closed before Covid-19 lockdown.
SE13, DIRTY SOUTH (Wellington). Closed, reason not ascertained. At October 2020 all doors and windows covered with metal sheeting and website not accessible. Was HOG’S HEAD and ROSE OF LEE.
SE18, KINGS ARMS. Already reported closed, now demolished.
SE22, ANETO. Reported closed on 30 July after 7 years of business.
SW1, LORD MOON OF THE MALL (Wetherspoon), 18 Whitehall, SW1A 2DY. Having closed in March, the Wetherspoon lease expired in April. Temporarily reopened by freeholder McMullens rather cheekily as SPOONS UNDER THE WATER. The pop-up pub while building work is completed sells no real ale but keg beers from McMullen’s Riverview brewery: SIPA, Pilsner and IPA. In addition Guinness and Birra Morretti were also available. Cash accepted. Bring your own food.
SW3, SURPRISE (Young/Geronimo), 6 Christchurch Terr. Closed since September, lease on the market.
SW6, PILANGO CIDER, Railway Arch 10, Munster Rd, Sadly now closed.
SW16, ROYAL BRITISH LEGION CLUB NORBURY. Reported permanently closed.
W1, BARLEY MOW (Greene King). Closed for building work. No longer to be operated by Greene King.
W1, COACH & HORSES (Shepherd Neame), 2 Old Compton St. Closed and lease for sale. Was COMPTON CROSS and MOLLY MOGGS.
W6, OLD SUFFOLK PUNCH (Maverick Pubs). Closed since March. Freehold reported sold subject to contract. Was GOLDEN GLOVES and the RIFLE
W12, QUEEN ADELAIDE (Greene King/Metropolitan). Closed, not going to reopen under Greene King management.
W13, CASTLEBAR (Ei Group). Refurbished in 2020, handpump removed/ Originally COACH & HORSES.
WC2, BELGO HOLBORN (Casual Dining). Reported not to be reopening following the operator going into administration.
WC2, CHESHIRE CHEESE (Shepherd Neame), 5 Little Essex St. The pub has not reopened and the lease of this site is now for sale.
OUTER LONDON
CROYDON, ALMA TAVERN (Star). Reported permanently closed.
KINGSTON, FIGHTING COCKS. No real ale.
KINGSTON, WOODY`S. No real ale.
SOUTHALL, SOUTHALL CONSERVATIVE & UNIONIST CLUB (ACC). Closed and for sale.
SUTTON, COCK & BULL (Fuller’s). Closed; it is understood Fuller’s will sell this pub.
| OTHER CHANGES |
E1, MOMENTO LOUNGE BAR. Renamed EDGE.
N1, HANBURY ARMS (LHR Pubs). Now under True Pub Co ownership.
N3, ANNIE TWOMEY’S. Renamed ANNIES on reopening following major rebuilding of the pub. Was INKIES, GERTIE BROWNES, WINTERS, OLIVERS, and CLANCYS .
NW5, NEVER FOR EVER (Urban Leisure). The ‘home brews’ advertised in the original announcement refer to the lager brewed by Fourpure that is available throughout the chain.
NW10, FLYNNS. Reopened in September under a new name BAR 117 and new management and refurbishment.
SE18, ALBION (Lakeview Estates). Renamed LE WOURI. No real ale.
SW18, BLOODY BENS. Renamed CICCHINA & WINE, a wine bar with no draught beer. Was BEN’s CANTEEN and WILLIE GUNN.
W6, ROOK’S NEST (Laine Pub Company). Renamed PRINCE OF WALES TOWNHOUSE following refurbishment and reopening. Now connected to Big Smoke Brewery. Up to seven real ales available (several from Big Smoke as well as local breweries such as Park) plus 20+ keg beers and 3 ciders. The chain has a buy 9 pints, get the 10th free loyalty card scheme.
WC1, BLOOMSBURY KITCHEN & BAR (Thistle). Renamed THISTLE BLOOMSBURY PARK.
WC1, DOUBLETREE BY HILTON HOTEL LONDON – WEST END (Hilton), 92 Southampton Row. Renamed. Following a refurbishment the bar has been renamed BAR 92.
WC1, HERMES LOUNGE BAR (Grange Hotels), Jurys Inn London Holborn, 50-60 Southampton Row,. Renamed NYX BY LEONARDO HOTELS.
W13, STAR & ANCHOR (Star). Renamed STAR & SCORPION following major refurbishment and refocusing under the management of the Persian Palace restaurant opposite. St Austell Proper Job was available on reopening but the handpumps have subsequently been removed.