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 for pub details, and to ‘Submit Update’ when they find incomplete or out-of-date information.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
E1W, WAPPING TAVERN, 78-80 Wapping La. Opened in former Pizza Express. 25 keg beers on tap. Arcade games and pool. Sports TV. Food offering is pizza.
E11, MAMMOTH TAP (The Arch Company/Mammoth Beer), Arch 1, Hitchcock Business Centre, Station Approach. Opened in a railway arch that was a deli/wine bar. Bar from Mammoth Brewery with a minimalist style and an outside terrace. 6 taps with bottles.
EC1, COMPTON, 48 St John’s Sq. Restaurant with a bar and deli. Keg beer.
EC3, BIERSCHENKE, 9 The Arches Crutched Friars. Reopened as another MUNICH CRICKET CLUB.
EC4, WAGTAIL, 68 King William St. Rooftop bar & restaurant in the former House of Fraser building. Panoramic view of the city.
N1, CUCKOO, 115 Hemingford Rd. The pub closed in Feb 2022 and reopened in June as TAMIL PRINCE offering south Indian cuisine. Drinkers only are welcome but real ale is no longer available.
N1C, MORTY & BOB’S, 49 Coal Drops Yard. All-day restaurant, cafe & bar. Drinkers only are welcome to try the two keg beers on offer from Camden Town.
N5, GUNNERS (Gunners Investments Ltd), 204 Blackstock Rd. Reopened.
N7, HALF CUT MARKET, 396 York Way. This place has four beers on tap to drink in and 120 packaged craft beers for drinking on or off site.
N16, BIRDCAGE (Stonegate), 58 Stamford Hill. Reopened following refurbishment and conversion to a Stonegate managed pub. Three real ales were promised – Doom Bar, Purity Mad Goose and Timothy Taylor Landlord. Only Landlord initially was available.
N16, COACH & HORSES (Punch), 178 Stoke Newington High St. Reopened under new management.
NW1, HOPE & ANCHOR, 74 Crowndale Rd. Reopened in April 2022 as CAFE KOKO, a ‘tap bar & pizzeria’, in re-engineered interior behind the green glazed bricks and Allied livery surviving on the ground floor. Table service. Post-industrial decor, with an exposed white ceiling, suspended ducts and services, white-painted brick walls, lots of framed posters for primarily black music acts, polished wood bar counter, bare floorboards in the bar then down four steps to a multicoloured tiled floor in the pizzeria. No real ale but draught beers include some from E1, Meantime, Small Beer, Two Tribes.
NW6, BLACK LION (B & B London Properties Ltd/London Village Inns), 274 Kilburn High Rd. After undergoing a wash and brush up including handpumps it has reopened and cask beer has returned after many years absence. Real ales are from Five Points and London Brewing with guests from breweries such as Vale.
SE14, SHIRKER’S REST, 9 Lewisham Way. Micropub-style venue opened in early June 2022 in a former solicitor’s office opposite Goldsmiths University. A joint venture between popular local bloggers Deserter and pop-up pub specialists Camberwell Shark. In addition to the ground floor bar, there is an upstairs drinking area, also hosting art exhibitions and other events showcasing local talent, plus a small outdoor seating area. 4 handpumps, usually 3 cask ales, including a house bitter from Anspach & Hobday, plus 7 craft keg beers on tap, wine and spirits. As well as bar snacks, the venue has a free delivery arrangement with a local pizzeria. Card payment only here.
SE18, EARL OF CHATHAM (Stonegate/Craft Union), 15 Thomas St. Now sells real ale: Sharp’s Doom Bar and two guests such as Landlord.
SE25, ALBERT TAVERN (Greene King), 65 Harrington Rd. Having remained closed since lockdown and put on the market, reopened in June as one of Greene King’s Hive pubs, the company’s branded franchise model for community pubs. The sports TV and dartboard have been retained and ‘pub grub’ is served. Greene King IPA and Abbot available.
SW3, HOUR GLASS, 279-283 Brompton Rd. After a long period of closure, this site finally reopened in early June 2022, renamed the BROMPTON CROSS. It is understood that the pub aims to offer two or three real ales including Landlord.
SW9, PRINCE OF WALES, 467-469 Brixton Rd. Real ale reinstated, St Austell Proper Job.
WC1, 06 ST CHADS PLACE, 6 St Chads Pl. Reopened as JAMBOREE VENUE for food, drink, world music, folk music, piano and jazz.
WC1, QUEEN’S HEAD (Market Taverns), 64 Theobalds Rd. Real ale reinstated. Two beers initially from Adnams and Sambrook’s. Card payment only.
WC2, HIPPODROME CASINO, Cranbourn St. Originally the Hippodrome Theatre and in a later incarnation the Talk of the Town, this is now a Grade II-listed 75,000 square-foot casino venue with eight bars across six floors, including a bar on the roof! Pedestrian access is from Charing Cross Road, Leicester Square and Little Newport Street. At least some of the bars serve draught beers (including Guinness) and lagers, no real ale.
WC2, SAVOY TAP (Shepherd Neame), 2 Savoy St. Real ale reinstated: Shepherd Neame Spitfire and Whitstable Bay.
WC2, SIDE HUSTLE, Old Police Station entrance, 28 Bow St. A bar in the Bow Street Old Police Station, now part of the five-star Nomad Hotel. It is primarily a cocktail bar with an emphasis on Mexican drinks, but some draught keg beers are available sold in 2/3 pint. Side Hustle encourages bookings but does have bar seats available for walk-ins and you can drink without being required to eat. The bar is now next to one of London’s newest museums, the Bow Street Police Museum. Expect to pay prices to match the location and ambience.
W1, LITTLE SCARLET DOOR, 12-13 Greek St. Sister venue to a small number of other Little Door sites in London. The conceit is that customers are joining a house party of like-minded flatmates. The venue occupies a 2,200 square-foot space across two floors. Primarily a cocktail bar with no real ale, but Camden Hells and Pale are on tap.
W2, ROYAL STANDARD, 8 Sale Pl. Reopened.
W6, DUKE OF HAMMERSMITH (BrewDog), 238 Shepherds Bush Rd. Real ale reinstated, a changing beer such as Adnams Ghost Ship
W8, DEVONSHIRE ARMS (M&B), 37 Marloes Rd. Reopened.
OUTER LONDON
ALPERTON, SIGNATURE BREW WEMBLEY, The Trader, 87 Ealing Rd. Opened in March as part of the Trader, a new food and drink street trader concept. Keg beers and ciders.
KINGSTON, CORNERSTONE (Greene King), The Rotunda Centre, Clarence St. Reopened but no longer branded Hungry Horse. Greene King IPA and Abbot still available.
SIDCUP, TAP SIDCUP, 3 Wellington Parade, Blackfen Rd. A conversion from a pet shop opened in May 2022. There is a traditional bar counter at the rear selling draught keg beer and a good range of other alcoholic drinks. Self-service beer taps are provided at table booths inside, operated using pre-payment cards.
UXBRIDGE, MORELLO LOUNGE (Lounger), 1 High St. Another new offering from Lounger. Brewdog Punk IPA and Planet Ale are among the keg beers available.
| PUBS & CLUBS CLOSED, CONVERTED, OR CEASED SELLING REAL ALE |
INNER LONDON
E2, KINGS / LAND. Closed (again), future uncertain.
E2, OLD STREET BREWERY TAPROOM. Closed since Oct 2021, possibly due to relocation to Hackney Wick.
E4, MOUNT. No longer sells real ale.
E8, DUCHESS OF DALSTON. Self reported on Facebook as permanently closed.
E15, CART & HORSES. Real ale no longer available.
E17, SIGNATURE BREW BREWER’S BAR, Blackhorse La. Real ale not regularly available.
E20, BAT & BALL (Urban Pubs & Bars). Real ale no longer available.
EC1, PEARL & FEATHERS Closed since 2020.
EC2, BIERSCHENKE, 4 London Wall Buildings. Closed June 2022 for ‘extensive refurbishments’.
EC3, FACTORY HOUSE (Davy). No longer sells real ale.
EC3, LAS BANDEROS. Closed.
EC4, CENTRE PAGE. Closed.
N1C, SOURCED MARKET (Network Rail/Sourced Foods). Closed and boarded up since the early part of 2022. A coffee chain will be taking over in due course.
N2, CLISSOLD ARMS (Stonegate). No real ale, handpumps removed.
N7, NAMBUCCA (Stonegate). Closed and freehold on the market.
N8, HORNSEY TAVERN (Tavern Estates Ltd). Renamed HORNSEY ARMS and real ale discontinued.
N16, ARMY & NAVY (Wellington). No longer sells real ale.
N16, CLISSOLD PARK TAVERN (The Max Barney Pub Company/Stoke Newington Pub Co.). No longer sells real ale.
N19, ROYAL OAK (Stonegate). Licence suspended and then revoked in Nov 2021. Freehold on the market via GLGP June 2022.
N19, NORTHERN SOUL. Renamed SIORAI BAR.
NW1, GABETO (Camden Lock Market Ltd). Closed May 2022 but likely to reopen in a new guise.
SE1, LAUGHING GRAVY. Closed December 2021.
SE1, MUG HOUSE (Davy). No longer sells real ale.
SE10, BEER & BURGER STORE (Perritt & Perritt). Website reports currently closed.
SE18, LE WOURI (Lakeview Estates). Not reopened post covid.
SW2, CROWN & SCEPTRE (Urban & Urban Properties). Closed since May; lease on the market.
SW2, HOOTANANNY (Stonegate). No longer serves real ale.
SW4, NO 32 THE OLD TOWN (Stonegate/Darwin & Wallace). No real ale, handpumps removed.
SW6, JACK’S. Now open as a cafe but closed as a pub, having lost its licence.
SW6, OCTOBERFEST PUB. Closed; lease on the market.
SW6, WELLINGTON (Manica Properties). Closed; lease assignment being marketed.
SW11, SUBURB SW11 (Mendoza). Closed in 2021; lease on the market May 2022.
SW13, WATERMANS ARMS (Wellington). Closed suddenly due to increase in rent.
SW18, GARRATT TAVERN (Heineken). Real ale sadly abandoned in May 2022.
WC2, CHESHIRE CHEESE (Shepherd Neame), 5 Little Essex St. Reopened in late 2021 having been closed for over a year, but reported closed again early July 2022. Shepherd Neame has now sub-leased the site to a new operator.
W4, ITALIAN JOB. Closed and repossessed by landlord.
W12, PHOENIX. Closed.
OUTER LONDON
CROYDON, WINDMILL. Closed, future uncertain. Has been for sale with ‘vacant possession’ since January 2021.
ENFIELD, TOBY (M&B). Real ale no longer available owing to low sales.
ROMFORD, CARAWAY LOUNGE (Macneil). Closed in 2021, future uncertain.
TEDDINGTON, BUILDERS ARMS (Stonegate). Closed. future uncertain.
WEALDSTONE, SPICE KLUB (Lukka Properties Ltd). Closed due to major fire. Was ROYAL OAK.
| OTHER CHANGES |
INNER LONDON
E1, VIBE BAR. Renamed NINETY ONE LIVING ROOM in 2018.
E2, ALBION (Harcourt Inns). Renamed BOUNDARY BAR & BRASSERIE following refurbishment.
EC1, BIRD OF SMITHFIELD. Briefly became 26 SMITHFIELD but now closed and for lease again.
EC2, MERCHANTS TAVERN. Became APOTHECARY May 2021.
N6, BULL (Greene King/Metropolitan). No longer LocAle accredited. Beers now from Greene King or nationally available breweries such as Timothy Taylor or St Austell.
SE1, ST FELIX PLACE (London Venue Group). Became FLAT IRON SQUARE
SE15, GREYHOUND. Now operated by Queens House.
SW4, YARD (City Pub Company). Became MEATLIQUOR CLAPHAM OLD TOWN in October 2021.
SW18, RAM INN (Punch). The Laine Pub Company now manage this pub.
WC2, GEORGE (Greene King/Metropolitan). No longer LocAle accredited.
W1, HENRY HOLLAND (Stonegate). Renamed DUCHESS in honour of the BBC drama, The Duchess of Duke Street.
W1, JAKATA. Renamed FLARE.
W1, JIMI LOVES GLORIA. Reopened in June 2022 as one of the SIMMONS cocktail bar chain. A couple of keg draught beers are available. Thankfully the splendid old Pillars of Hercules swingsign is still in place albeit with a bit of retouching by Simmons.
W1, SOURCED MARKET. Renamed LINA STORES.
W7, PRINCE OF WALES (Stonegate), 62 Boston Rd. Reverted to tenanted from Craft Union.
OUTER LONDON
HAM, HAM BREWERY TAP (Admiral Taverns). Already reported closed and for sale. Planning application to convert to vet submitted.
NEW MALDEN, WATCHMAN (Wetherspoon). Awarded LocAle status; regularly serves Twickenham beers.
SOUTHALL, RED LION HOTEL. Became the TERRACE in the spring of 2022. Rebellion beers on mini-keg system.
SURBITON, PRINCE OF WALES (Fuller’s). Moved to tenanted division; leased to Doolin Rock Pubs.
ST MARY CRAY, MARY ROSE. Renamed PAVILION HOTEL.