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 for pub details, and to ‘Submit Update’ when they find incomplete or out-of-date information.
Note: from this update Ei Group tenanted and leased pubs are now referred to as Stonegate Pub Partnerships.
| NEW & REOPENED PUBS & CLUBS CONVERTED TO REAL ALE |
INNER LONDON
EC1, MOOR & MEAD, 155-157 City Rd. Modern bar/restaurant in the Montcalm East Hotel.
EC2, CALLOOH CALLEY, 65 Rivington St. Cocktail bar with bottled beer
E1, SIMMONS BRICK LANE, 202 Brick La. Latest in the Simmons cocktail bar chain. Opens July 29.
E2, MAMASHELTER, 437 Hackney Rd. Bar and garden bar in the Mama Shelter Hotel. Keg beer from Five Points and Forest Road breweries.
E6, BOLEYN TAVERN (Remarkable Pubs), 1 Barking Rd. Reopened in June 2021 after a spectacular £1.5 million restoration aimed at making the interior look like it was when it first opened. New hand-crafted wooden screens have been created, complete with acid-etched and brilliant cut glass, replicating one of the original wood and glass panels in the old saloon bar. This means the original seven bar layout has been restored. The highlight is the massive coloured glass skylight that spans what once would have been a billiards room, but is now an open kitchen, servery and dining area. Four real ales from Fuller’s, Five Points and Shepherd Neame on reopening.
E8, HACKNEY COTERIE, 230 Dalston La. A brassiere, wine bar, deli and bottle shop. Craft beer in bottles.
E8, DUCHESS OF DALSTON, 392 Kingsland Rd. Cocktail bar with bottled beer.
E9, HWK (Bowmite Ltd), 29-31 White Post La. Modular coffee shop, restaurant and bar next to Hackney Wick station. An outdoor events space hosts music and DJs.
E9, BARGE EAST, River Lee, Sweetwater Mooring, 98 White Post La. Bar/restaurant based on a canal barge. Large canalside garden. Keg beer from Truman’s, Beavertown and De Hoop (as the barge was Dutch).
E9, NUMBER90 BAR (London Legacy Development Corporation/Pall Mall 3 Ltd), 90 Main Yd, Wallis Rd. Airy canalside bar and restaurant. Keg and bottled beers. Events space and art gallery.
E10, NECKSTAMPER BREWERY TAPROOM, Unit 3, Cromwell Ind Est, Staffa Rd. Brewery opened in 2016;-taproom has outside seating and is currently Saturdays only (1-7pm).
E15, HACKNEY BRIDGE, Units 1-28 Echo Building, East Bay La. Close to Hackney Wick featuring workspace, public facilities, events, markets, restaurants and bars. There are studios for artists, makers and small businesses; as well as space for food businesses, retailers, markets, events and a community garden. It is in the Queen Elizabeth Park close to the Copperbox arena. Keg beer.
E17, BEER & BURGER, 368 Hoe St. Latest in chain; keg beers, bottles and cans.
E17, BEERBLEFISH BREWING COMPANY TAPROOM, Unit 2A-4, Uplands Business Pk, Blackhorse La. New taproom opened 23 July.
NW3, MAGDALA (Mulberry One Capital), 2a South Hill Pk. Finally reopened by Richard Morgan; 20 keg beers, 7 casks and ciders.
NW6, DONE OUR BIT CLUB, 128a Maygrove Rd. Two real ales on at time of visit in June 2021, including Greene King IPA.
SE1, ART YARD BAR & KITCHEN, 2 Blackfriars Rd, Upper Ground. Modern bar/restaurant at the base of the Bankside Hotel, opened late October 2018. Usually three Fourpure beers on tap.
SE1, BAR 31, 31 St Thomas St. Opened in 2018, this modern bar at the base of the iconic Shard building is part of the Shangri-La Hotel.
SE1, REDWOOD SPORTS PUB & KITCHEN, London Bridge Station. Large, modern sports bar, opened November 2019 and boasting state of the art screens and sound system. Located outside the main entrance to the station, next to the Shard.
SE1, ST FELIX PLACE, 45 Southwark St. Brewpub opened in April 2021 within two railway arches. As well as seating within the arches, there is a spacious outdoor seating area. Craft beers on tap including those brewed on-site in collaboration with Lagunitas Brewing Co. Food consists of Tex-Mex from Texas Joe’s and pizza from The Good Slice.
SE6, PERRY HILL, 78-80 Perry Hill. After a couple of years’ closure, the pub was refurbished and reopened by new operators in April 2021.
SE7, GREEN GODDESS, Charlton House Community Centre, Charlton Rd. A pop-up pub operating since May at weekends in the environs of the fabulous Charlton House, it appears to be run by the Common Rioters Brewery as it seeks a long-term brewing and taproom site. Advertises one cask ale and up to four keg beers on the What’s On page of its website. Sessions end at 8pm. Card payments only.
SE8, AAJA DEPTFORD, Arch 2, Deptford Market Yd. Craft beer and cocktails bar, opened in summer 2018, with a focus on music and live performance events. With four craft beers on tap, it is under one of the arches below the Grade II-listed Deptford station carriage ramp which was restored in 2015 as part of a redevelopment of the station and adjacent area.
SE8, BADGER BADGER, 139-145 Deptford High St. Venue opened in Oct 2020, next to Deptford rail station. Offers a range of keg beers, including from London breweries. Specialises in Japanese street food. Tables may be booked all day as an alternative to home working. Has over 100 board games available for hire and play on-site.
SE8, JARS BAR, Arch 6, Deptford Market Yd. A craft beer and cocktails bar opened late July 2019. Has a good selection of canned and bottled beers, and up to six craft beers on tap. The bar occupies another of the arches underneath the restored Deptford station carriage ramp.
SE8, LITTLE FAITH, Artworks, 3 Creekside. Craft beer bar, opened December 2018 in premises formerly occupied by a Pentecostal church, hence the converted pew seating. Up to 10 beers on tap, a mix of Little Faith’s own beers (brewed at Kernel Brewery, Bermondsey) and guest beers mainly from London breweries. Its outdoor seating area next door but one has its own bar in a converted shipping container.
SE9, POPE STREET BAR & KITCHEN, 396 Footscray Rd. A modern bar and kitchen a short walk from New Eltham station, opened December 2018. 8 taps offer a range of craft beers and lagers. It also specialises in cocktails and premium gins.
SE10, PICTUREHOUSE, 180 Greenwich High Rd. The Galley Cafe & Bar and the First Floor Gallery both serve food and drinks. They are part of the Picturehouse cinema complex and are open for non cinema-goers.
SE12, DUTCH HOUSE, Sidcup Rd. Restored and refurbished, the new cafe/bar opened in May 2021 and has a mainly cafe feel during the day but is more of a bar in the evening. One lager and one keg beer on tap.
SE14, FOREST ROAD BREWERY – EMERALD CITY TAPROOM, Unit 1A Elizabeth Ind Est, Juno Way. Having started out in 2015 home brewing and subsequently opening a taproom in Hackney, east London, the Forest Road Brewery obtained a new brewing site in South Bermondsey in 2020 and fitted it out with second-hand kit from California. The on-site taproom opened in May 2021 and has 20 taps.
SE14, ONE FOR THE ROAD, 327 New Cross Rd. Urban bar opened in late summer 2020 below the Venue nightclub and dedicated to street art, music and street food. The premises have been stripped back to a basic shell and local street artists invited to decorate the walls. There is a spacious outdoor seating area at the rear.
SE15, BREW BY NUMBERS BARREL STORE & TAPROOM, Arches 1-2 Bellenden Bus Pk, Bellenden Rd. Taproom situated within Brew By Numbers Brewery’s barrel store which was set up for the production of specialist barrel aged beers and sours, aged in a variety different oak casks. Has a range of the brewery’s own beers on tap plus usually guest beers from other breweries.
SE16, CRAFT BEER JUNCTION, 86 Enid St. Craft beer bar opened late May 2021 in a railway arch on the Bermondsey Beer Mile. Specialises in brews from Europe and the US, along with some from the UK. Up to 10 beers available on tap plus a selection in can or bottle.
SE17, BAR60LONDON, Safestay Hostel, 144-152 Walworth Rd. Contemporary, brightly furnished bar, opened October 2020 on the ground floor of the modern annexe of the hostel, which also occupies the adjoining John Smith House, former headquarters of the Labour Party. Five beers/lagers on tap.
SE17, ORBIT BEERS LONDON TAP ROOM, 233 Fielding St. Taproom relocated to opposite the brewery in July. No real ale.
SE18, ROSE INN (Star), 2 Waverley Rd. Real Ale reinstated selling Sharp’s Doom Bar.
SE22, ANETO, 58-60 East Dulwich Rd. Renamed BROUGHAM. Premises re-opened in April 2021 as a bar mainly serving wine, cocktails, and craft beer on tap.
SE27, LONDON BEER FACTORY WAREHOUSE TAPROOM, 13 Beadman St. Brewery taproom opened in early December 2020 with a vast array of 28 taps, plus house cocktails and street food.
SW6, MALT HOUSE (Brakspear Pub Co/Jolly Fine Pub Group), 17 Vanston Pl. Renamed WOLFPACK. Reopened post-Covid in summer 2021 and under a new name. Wolfpack Lager, the venture founded by ex-rugby union professionals Alistair Hargreaves and Chris Wyles, has opened this as its third pub in London to join sites in Queens Park and West Hampstead. Wolfpack acquired the lease from Jolly Fine Pub Co. and simultaneously took a new lease from Brakspear. The Wolfpack name derives from the dressing-room mentality when the two entrepreneurs played for Saracens. This is a large corner pub a short walk from Fulham Broadway tube station with an attractive garden/patio area. Keg beers include Wildman Wolfpack Lager but no real ale.
SW6, IMPERIAL ARMS (Star), 577 Kings Rd. Reopened. Draught lagers and Guinness are available but no cask ale.
SW8, DISTORTION BREWERY TAP, 647 Portslade Rd. Taproom opened May 2021 for Distortion Brewery which began production in late 2020. No real ale.
SW15, BRICKLAYER’S ARMS, 32 Waterman St. Following closure with the 2020 lockdown, substantial building alterations, planned over several years have been successfully completed, improving the interior, providing new toilets and a new, enclosed patio and altogether preserving the pub. The extent of the beer range can only depend on footfall as Covid restrictions are lifted. SlyBeast Putney Porter, brewed in collaboration with licensee Chris Walsh, was one of ten cask ales available for the reopening including available Timothy Taylor range.
W1, DUKE OF WELLINGTON, 94A Crawford St. Reopened after 5 years! Marston’s Pedigree, Purity Mad Goose and a rotating guest (currently Sambrook’s Wandle) on reopening.
W1, MR FOGG’S SECRET GARDEN, Bruton La. Part of a small chain of Mr Fogg’s venues in central London, this is a 100-cover outdoor space, largely covered, and heated in cold weather. The venue seeks to recreate a traditional English walled garden. The Mr Fogg’s venues are primarily cocktail bars but this one serves draught house lager and pale ale. Mr Fogg’s Residence, a different venue, is a few metres south in Bruton Lane.
W1, KINGS ARMS (McMullen), 68 Great Titchfield St. Reopened. The revamped pub now features five boutique bedrooms and a new Undercroft cocktail bar in the basement. As with all of their pubs they will be selling beers from their Authentic Heritage cask range: AK, Country and IPA, possibly augmented with one of the seasonal beers sometimes branded under their Rivertown banner.
W1, SIXES CRICKET CLUB, 170 Great Portland St. A sister site to a similar venue in Fulham, a cricket-simulator venue with minimum two players per session which is booked in hour slots. Family-friendly and kids can use the simulator from age 5 upwards. It is entirely possible to drink and eat without cricketing. Open from morning until late, Sixes offers all day dining with an English pub-classics menu. Drinks include craft beers and lagers plus a good range of cocktails, wines and spirits.
W2, ROYAL EXCHANGE (P & J Pubs Ltd), 26 Sale Pl. Reopened and under the same management as the Priory Arms SW8 and Grosvenor Arms SW9, both noted for their interesting range of beer. One handpump ale in this pub initially plus about 12 keg beers.
W4, THAMES TRADESMEN’S ROWING CLUB (Hounslow Council), Chiswick Boathouse, Dukes Meadows. Having closed in 2018, on 29 April 2020 the club issued a statement welcoming their return home after nearly two years of negotiations with the council.
W12, HAWK’S NEST, Shepherd’s Bush Market, Goldhawk Rd. An outdoor street food dining space with Camden Hells, Camden Pale and Guinness on draught but no real ale.
W12, ORCHARD TAVERN (Star), 136 Askew Rd. Real ale reinstated with a changing beer such as Bath Ales Gem.
W12 PHOENIX, 1078 Ariel Way. The old Jamie’s Italian site within the Westfield complex now offers a mixture of Italian street food and Mexican-inspired cocktails, but the drinks list also includes Budvar Tank Beer plus various other craft beers on draught, and a decent range of bottles. The operators also run the Hawk’s Nest (see above).
OUTER LONDON
BECKENHAM, THREE HOUNDS BEER COMPANY, 57 Beckenham Rd. A changing real ale is now available such as Beerblefish Pan Galactic Pale or Howling Hops Tropical Deluxe This may increase depending on demand. As well as an extensive keg beer range, up to 150 beers are stored in fridges at the rear of the pub and are also available for off-sales.
CROYDON, MATTHEWS YARD, 166 North End. Relocated from Surrey Street to the former Maplins building, it serves keg and key-keg beers from 6 taps with emphasis on local products (often Signal and Beavertown), and a lager (also Signal).
EASTCOTE, THREE WISHES, 173 Field End Rd. Another outlet from the chain in a former bank, this one sadly has no real ale.
EASTCOTE, WOODMAN (Stonegate Pub Partners), Joel St. The tenant from the Woodman in Ruislip has taken over here and real ale has been reinstated. Currently Fuller’s London Pride, Rebellion IPA and Taylor Landlord.
KESTON, FOX INN (Stonegate Pub Partners), Heathfield Rd. The pub reopened under new management in May.
HEATHROW AIRPORT, BIG SMOKE TAPHOUSE & KITCHEN (Big Smoke), Terminal 2 Airside. Opened 17 May in the former La Salle premises.
YIEWSLEY, HORTON LOUNGE, 191-193 Horton Rd. Reopened and renamed SMOKY BOYS, one of a chain. Although the subtitle is ‘Bar and Grill’ only two keg draught beers are on the menu: Haus Beer from Hartlepool and Meantime London Pale Ale.
| PUBS & CLUBS CLOSED, CONVERTED, OR CEASED SELLING REAL ALE |
INNER LONDON
EC1, LINO (Wright & Bell). Currently being operated by administrators.
EC2, ALLEGORY. A Drake and Morgan establishment, closed with lease on the market.
EC2, KITTY HAWK (Wright & Bell). Currently being operated by administrators.
EC4, LISTING (Drake & Morgan). Closed, lease believed to be on the market.
E5, GLYN ARMS. Closed. Lease on the market.
E9, LORD NAPIER. Renamed LORD NAPIER STAR having been acquired by Electric Star pubs. Renovation started in January 2020 and the pub should open during July 2021.
E14, 28WEST. Closed, lease on the market.
E14, MERCHANT (Fullers). Lease surrendered, pub on the market. Previously TEA MERCHANT, originally CAT & CANARY.
N5, GRIN & BEER IT. Bottle Shop & Taproom. Closed, future uncertain.
N16, BE-BOP-A-LULA (Pub Wizards). No real ale, handpumps removed. Was WINNICOTT, originally MONARCH.
NW1, WHITE MUSTACHE (Mendoza). Closed and converted into a privately-run coronavirus-testing centre. Was SOVEREIGN.
NW3, CORK & BOTTLE HAMPSTEAD (Star). Closed and boarded up.
NW5, GEORGE IV. Closed with freehold for sale.
SE1, HAND & MARIGOLD (Wellington). Closed with interior ripped out by the end of May 2021. Planning permission was granted in April 2020 for new flats on the upper floors, retaining pub use on the ground floor.
SE1, MATCHBOXSE1. Closed in mid-June 2021 as tender for longer term lease was unsuccessful.
SE1, OTHER ROOM (Bermondsey Arts Club). Premises changed to Iro Sushi restaurant in 2019.
SE1, SPORTS BAR & GRILL (Stonegate). The unit at Waterloo is being refurbished by Network Rail and no longer listed on the Stonegate website.
SE3, COOMBE LODGE. Club is boarded up. Planning application submitted March 2021 for partial conversion to residential and retaining a smaller club.
SE4, BROCKLEY SOCIAL CLUB. The club officially closed in 2020. Planning permission was granted for the demolition of the existing building and replacement with a 5 storey property containing 9 flats and a new social club.
SE5, AMARYLLIS (Wellington). Planning permission granted May 2018 for building extension and conversion of upper floors to flats. Pub now closed with works underway.
SE6, FELLOWSHIP & STAR (Phoenix Community Housing/Electric Star Group). Closed with lease on the market.
SE11, OXYMORON AT THE ROYAL OAK. It seems the pub did not reopen since closing In March 2020. Planning application submitted in May 2021 for change of use to a community centre.
SE12, BARING HALL HOTEL (Antic). Remains closed, future uncertain.
SE13, SUTTONS RADIO (Antic). Antic advise they were removed as operator by their financial backers in November. Closed March 2020 with bar fittings now removed.
SE14, OUT OF THE BREW. Website confirms business has closed and from their event diary it appears this occurred around late August 2019.
SE14, WHITE HART (Wellington). Closed. Freeholder has finally gained planning permission to convert upper floors to apartments following a long battle.
SE17, MANOR OF WALWORTH (Antic). Antic advise they were removed as operator by their financial backers in November.
SE22, HOUSE OF TIPPLER. Business announced in February that it would not be reopening.
SE23, BIRD IN HAND (Stonegate). The pub remains closed and under refurbishment following a fire on 14 April that extensively damaged the first floor and part of the roof.
SE24, CAFE PROVENCAL (Dulwich Estate). Business announced in May 2020 that it would not be reopening.
SW10, FINBOROUGH ARMS. As at early 2021 it is reported that the lease of this site is for sale.
SW16, FURZEDOWN (Stonegate Pub Partners). Closed and boarded up.
SW17, GORRINGE PARK (Charles Wells/The Yummy Collection). No real ale.
SW19, TRAFALGAR. Closed, future uncertain.
W1, LORE OF THE LAND (M&B/Fatboy Pub Co). Closed, hopefully temporarily, after serious fire on 23 June.
W1, MASONS ARMS. Closed post Covid lockdown and stripped out. Lease on the market.
W1, TOWER TAVERN (University of Westminster). Reported closed and boarded up.
W2, CORK & BOTTLE (Gresham Collective). Reported closed and boarded up.
W3, WISHING WELL (Stonegate Pub Partners). Converted to Craft Union format. No real ale.
W12, ESCAPE BAR WEST (Stonegate Pub Partners). No longer sells real ale. Originally SWAKELEY ARMS.
OUTER LONDON
BEXLEYHEATH, CARVED, 146 Broadway. Closed and lease on the market.
HAM, HAND & FLOWER (Stonegate Pub Partners). No real ale.
KESTON, KINGS ARMS (Stonegate Pub Partners), Leaves Green Rd. As at May 2021 the pub is closed. An application has been made to Bromley Council for various internal works, and the erection of new signage which indicates that the plan is for the premises to reopen as a ‘Bar & Turkish restaurant’.
KINGSTON, CARDINAL (Stonegate Pub Partners). Real ale no longer available.
PONDERS END, PICTURE PALACE (Hawthorn Leisure). Closed, future uncertain.
SIDCUP, BLACK BOY (Star). Closed following suspension of licence in May.
UXBRIDGE, LOAD OF HAY (Wellington). Closed and lease on the market.
| OTHER CHANGES |
INNER LONDON
EC4, DRAFT HOUSE CHANCERY (BrewDog). Renamed BREWDOG CHANCERY LANE.
E1, INDO. Illegally converted into a shop.
E1, CARLTON. Illegally demolished. A new pub built in 2021 on the site of the previous pub of the same name is currently for lease.
E4, LARKSHALL. Lease acquired by Mosaic Pubs & Dining. Currently being refurbished and due to reopen mid-September.
E6, MEETING POINT. Renamed OVERDRAFT TAVERN; it was a former bank.
E8, KINGSLAND. Long serving licensee not returning; pub currently being refurbished.
E9, PRINCE EDWARD. Site redevelopment has started. Completion due October 2022.
N4, ARSENAL TAVERN (Stonegate Pub Partners). While remaining closed due to roof collapse, will be transferred to Craft Union division on reopening.
N20, YORK ARMS (Stonegate Pub Partners). Pub sold in January 2021 to Make 15 Ltd. Future uncertain.
NW5, NEIGHBOUR (Urban Pubs & Bars). Renamed RABBIT HOLE.
SE1, ANSPACH & HOBDAY BREWERY TAP ROOM. Renamed ARCH HOUSE.
SE1, STUDIO 6. Renamed LIMIN BEACH CLUB. What began as a pop-up in Spitalfields Market transferred to its permanent home here in July 2020. A Trinidadian restaurant and bar with a conservatory and outdoor sandy beach space! The food is Caribbean themed and drinks focus on cocktails but include a lager and a beer on tap.
SE1, VILLAGE EAST. Renamed LAST TALISMAN. Asian grill and bar, serving mainly craft beer, wine and cocktails.
SE10, GREENWICH UNION (Meantime). In April Young’s announced they had acquired the premises with the intention of incorporating into their Richard I pub next door.
SE10, THAMES (Derwent London PLC). Demolished in around July 2020, to be replaced with seven storey building with 6 flats and ground floor unit.
SE15, RED BULL. Renamed BAREFOOT JOE’S. After many years of closure and alternative uses, the Red Bull reopened as a bar in autumn 2019 and then became Barefoot Joe’s Bar in December.
SE16, AFFINITY BREW CO. TASTING ROOM, 7 Almond Rd. Renamed THREE HILLS BREWING – OUTPOST BREWERY TAPROOM. Northants-based Three Hills Brewery took over the former Affinity Brew Co railway arch in autumn 2020 and opened a taproom in late May 2021. Up to 18 beers available including guest beers.
SE16, BLUE ANCHOR (Stonegate Pub Partners). Remains closed but will reopen under Craft Union management.
SE23, DARTMOUTH ARMS (Stonegate Pub Partners). Rebranded as part of the MEATLiquor chain in July.
SE28, PRINCESS ALICE (Milton Pubs and Taverns). Having closed at the end of 2018, as at January pub was being used temporarily as a COVID testing centre.
W9, REAL ALE (Real Ale Ltd). Renamed REAL DRINKS.
OUTER LONDON
BROMLEY, BONNIE’S, 28-30 Bromley Hill. Now FM Food Centre which opened in September 2019.
HAROLD WOOD, SHEPHERD & DOG (Tavern Property Co). Being refurbished with a change of name to ARRAY.
NORWOOD GREEN, WOLF. Renamed LAVISH LOUNGE.
WEALDSTONE, DALYS. Renamed and become one in the THREE WISHES chain.