WhatPub? Update 53
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 for pub details, and to ‘Submit Update’ when they find incomplete or out-of-date information.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
E1, ORANJ, 14 Bacon St. Organic wine bar with Belgian Lambic beers. Pop up food is available on rotation.
E8, BAR 161, 161 Mare St. Converted from a restaurant in 2020. Cocktail bar with keg beers and bottles.
E11, DAM TASTY BEER TAPROOM, 254 Joseph Ray Rd. Taproom based in a railway arch opposite the sorting office. 8 taps plus bottles.
E11, FILLY BROOK, 392 Grove Green Rd. Named after the hidden river in Leytonstone. Started as a pop-up in 2015 and moved to the Drill Hall in 2020. 18 taps from mainly local breweries.
E14, FAIRGAME, 25-35 Fishermans Wharf. Specializes in traditional fairground games. Booking for these is essential. 3 bars and a couple of food vendors. Keg beer. Replaced the three existing bars on the site.
E15, LOCK INN, 26 East Bay La. Canalside bar with outside seating. Interior is simple with 8 taps and 2 cask ales currently from Five Points.
E20, OUTPOST, Building S5, Unit 5, IQL. Large bar close to Olympic stadium. 10 keg beers with pizza as the food offering. A flexible multi-purpose space that can be hired for meetings and other events.
EC2, PLATFORM, 2b Worship St. Gaming bar; electronic games have to be booked but there is a bar area. No cask beer.
EC3 ALDGATE TAP, Portsoken Pavilion, Aldgate High St. Latest in the Tap chain from Bloomsbury Leisure. 14 taps and 2 cask ales.
EC4, WARDROBE, 53-55 Carter La. Converted from a restaurant. No cask beer. Food is typically British.
N1, THREE JOHNS (Wellington/Urban Pubs & Bars), 73 White Lion St. Real ale reinstated with two guest beers.
N6, WINCHESTER (Mulberry One Capital), 206 Archway Rd. Reopened October 2022 by Northern Union Pub Company. Real ale on reopening was Five Points Best; Fuller’s London Pride; Leeds Pale and Thornbridge Market Porter.
N17, ELMHURST HOTEL (Heineken), 131 Lordship La. Reopened. Two unbadged handpumps, one currently offering Dark Star Hophead although availability can be variable. Hopes to eventually offer up to 4 real ales.
SE1, BILLY FRANKS CRAFT BEER & SNACK SHACK, 104 Druid St. Bottle shop on the Bermondsey Beer Mile now offering beers on tap.
SE1, CROWN & ANCHOR, 116 New Kent Rd. Former Irish bar briefly reopened during the London Olympics as the pop-up JJ Korean Restaurant and Bar, then closed again in October 2012. In 2022 the same owner reinvented the premises as a self-service bar. Customers load funds onto an electronic card that is swiped at each pump to dispense a drink.
SE1, PINEAPPLE (Southwark Council/Antic), Draper House, 16 Elephant & Castle. Reopened as OBERON in October 2022. A late-night DJ venue mainly focused on cocktails but also offering two draught beers/lagers.
SE1, RAVEN, 218 Tower Bridge Rd. With the operator’s penchant for Cornish beers, a variety of Sharp’s ales have been found here on cask.
SE6, CATFORD CONSTITUTIONAL (Antic), 108-110 Rushey Green. This reincarnation of the Constitutional, a short distance away from the original venue of the same name that closed in 2019, was opened by Antic in early November 2022 in a former Argos store. Up to five cask beers available, with three guests in addition to the two in-house Volden beers.
SE6, FELLOWSHIP INN (Phoenix Community Housing), Randlesdown Rd. Reopened under new management September 2022 and reverted to its original name. 3 handpumps for cask ales.
SE8, VILLAGES BREWERY TAPROOM, Units 21-22 Resolution Way. Now a sister company of Backyard and Grasshopper breweries. In 2022 the taproom started offering a cask beer on handpump from Villages or Backyard.
SE13, DRINK AT BOB’S, 214 Hither Green La. Started in 2017 as a pop-up bar at weekends. Launched the full operation in March 2019 using this former shop premises. Pub and wine bar with food towards the end of the week and frequent live music gigs. Keg and canned beers.
SE15, NAGS HEAD (Craft Union), 231 Rye La. Real ale reinstated: Brick Peckham Pale.
SE16, KERNEL BREWERY BOTTLE SHOP, Arch 7, Dockley Rd Indl Est. Renamed KERNEL BREWERY ARCH 7 TAPROOM. Numerous beers on tap and in bottle, and from 2022 a changing cask beer.
SE16, MASH PADDLE BREWERY TAPROOM, 92 Enid St. Brewing membership club with taproom open to the public, offering a number of inhouse and guest beers on tap.
SE16, QUEEN VICTORIA (Craft Union), 148 Southwark Park Rd. Cask beer reintroduced in 2022 with Southwark Pale Ale.
SE16, SMALL BEER BREW CO TAPROOM, 70-72 Verney Rd. Small Beer focuses on brewing lower strength beers up to 2.8% ABV. The taproom within the brewery usually has up to 4 beers on tap and one on cask. Street food is also available, and a range of board games and bar sports, plus entertainment including live music and quiz nights.
SE17, FOUR QUARTERS, 20 Ash Ave. Arcade bar with over 20 original arcade and pinball machines. Beers on tap are mainly from local breweries, plus a house beer, Four Quarters Pale, brewed by Sharp’s.
SE17, ROSY HUE, 6 Ash Ave. Spacious and airy modern bar from Livelyhood Group with a pared back interior divided into two parts, one for showing sports and other events, the other for quieter conversation. Usually six local beers on tap. Food is mainly sourced locally and served all day.
SW6, LOST HOURS (Wellington), 541 Kings Rd. Reopened and renamed KING’S HOUSE following a period of closure. Various keg beers but no real ale.
SW17, GORRINGE PARK (Charles Wells/The Yummy Collection), 29 London Rd. Real ale reinstated: Brewpoint DNA Amber Ale and St Austell Tribute.
SW18, BOOM BATTLE BAR WANDSWORTH, Barley Walk. Chain bar and entertainment complex in new building in the Ram Quarter opened November 2021. Listed keg beers include Sambrook’s Session IPA and Pagoda Pilsner.
SW18, STRIKE, 74 Wandsworth High St. New bowling venue in the Ram Quarter development opened late 2021. The bar is open to all and sells Meantime Keller lager ‘tank-fresh’ beer and various keg beer including Sambrook’s Block Party IPA.
W1, AUDLEY (Grosvenor Estates/Artfarm), 43 Mount St. Reopened after three-year refurbishment under new leaseholder Artfarm. Two ales from Sambrook’s, London Pride and Old Speckled Hen were available around reopening.
W3, FOUNDRY (BAR & KITCHEN) (Imperial College), Unit 2 Woodward Bdgs, 1 Victoria Rd. Reopened Autumn term 2022 after five years as a restaurant. Draught offerings include Brixton Low Voltage (house beer), Beavertown Neck Oil and Appleshed cider.
W8, PRINCESS VICTORIA (Heineken), 25 Earls Court Rd. Renamed HOLLAND. Real ale reinstated: Taylor Landlord. Now a gastropub with a restaurant upstairs.
W11, METROPOLITAN (Max Barney Pub Company), 60 Great Western Rd. Reopened as QUIET NIGHT INN under Forest Road Brewery management.
WC2, CHESHIRE CHEESE (Shepherd Neame), 5 Little Essex St. Reopened by subleaseholder, initially with no real ale.
OUTER LONDON
BARKING, FACTORY 15, Roycraft House, 15 Linton Rd. New bar and event space in part of the Make It London Barking, which provides space for meetings, networking and training, etc.
BRENTFORD, NORTHUMBERLAND ARMS, 11 London Rd. Reopened after some internal refurbishment. The handpumps are not very visible.
BROMLEY COMMON, HIT OR MISS, 6 Chatterton Rd. Opened in October in former computer repair and sales shop. A cafe by day, a microbar by night. The name is taken from a pub on the road in the 19th century. The venue is rather larger than the limited frontage would indicate, and there is plenty of seating on high benches and chairs. Cask ales served from a cold room at the rear have so far included Dark Star Hophead, Oakham Citra and Timothy Taylor Landlord.
CROYDON, RIFF RAFFS, 28 George St. Opposite the tram stop, this deceptively spacious conversion of a former stationery shop offers up to 6 keg or KeyKeg beers (including a properly brewed lager) and 2 real ciders (keg and bag in box), along with a selection of gins. Tea and coffee are also served. Cask ale will follow in due course.
KINGSTON, GAZEBO (Samuel Smith), Thames Walk. Reopened.
ORPINGTON, WHITE HART, 106 High St. Reopened in August following fire last year. Only Doom Bar has been reported as available.
RUISLIP, SMUGGLER’S COVE, 153 High St. Sharp’s Doom Bar.
UPMINSTER, BREWDOG UPMINSTER, 18 Station Rd. New BrewDog bar in former NatWest Bank, opened November 2022 with 30 beer taps including 2 ciders, 2 alcohol-free and 2 local keg beers.
| PUBS & CLUBS CLOSED, CONVERTED, OR CEASED SELLING REAL ALE |
INNER LONDON
E1, DUKE OF WELLINGTON (Mendoza). No longer sells real ale.
E1W, DOCKERS INN (Stonegate). No longer sells real ale.
E6, EAST HAM WORKING MENS CLUB. Closed with new club planned in ground floor of five storey residential development on same site.
E8, JUNCTION HOUSE. Closed 2021.
E8, THREE SODS BREWERY TAPROOM (The Arch Company). Closed July 2022 along with brewery.
E9, GUN. No longer sells real ale.
E9, TIGER (Stonegate/Dirty Liquor. Closed September 2022.
E10, HARE & HOUNDS (Stonegate/Dirty Liquor). No longer sells real ale.
E10, LEYTON TECHNICAL (Antic). Closed. See Pub News for details.
E10, WILLIAM THE FOURTH (Rose Pubs). No longer sells real ale.
E11, LEYTONSTONE TAVERN. No longer sells real ale.
E14, LORD NELSON. No longer sells real ale.
EC1, CHISWELL STREET DINING ROOMS (ETM). Available for private bookings only.
EC2, MERCHANT OF BISHOPSGATE (SSP). Following redevelopment of Liverpool St Station became a Costa Coffee.
EC2, OLD BLUE LAST (Wellington). No longer sells real ale.
EC3, SIMPSONS TAVERN. Closed. See Pub News for details.
N1, HUNTER S (Stonegate). No longer sells real ale.
N1, LIBRARY (Stonegate). No longer sells real ale.
N1, RADICALS & VICTUALLERS (M&B/Castle). Closed, future uncertain.
N3, FINCHLEY CRICKET CLUB. No longer sells real ale.
N7, HOUSE OF HAMMERTON. No real ale (again).
N7, ISLINGTON SPORTS BAR. No longer sells real ale.
N7, JOLLY SISTERS. No longer sells real ale.
N7, VICTORIA TAVERN (Frontier Pubs). No longer sells real ale.
N10, MUSWELL HILLBILLY TAPROOM. No longer serves cask.
N17, BEAVERTOWN CORNER PIN (Tottenham Hotspur FC/Beavertown Brewery). No cask beer available.
N17, BLUECOATS. Real ale no longer sold but may return.
N22, GOODNESS BREWING COMPANY TAP. No cask ale available.
NW2, QUEENSBURY. No real ale.
NW5, OXFORD TAVERN (Maverick). Closed by October 2022.
NW5, RABBIT HOLE (Urban Pubs & Bars). Converted to restaurant.
NW6, LILLIE LANGTRY (Camden Council/Admiral Taverns). Closed and due to be demolished with surrounding buildings as part of the Camden Council masterplan.
NW8, THREE FALCONS. No longer serves real ale.
NW9, WEE PUB. Now a kebab shop, previously Casey’s Bar.
NW11, GATE LODGE. Closed some time in 2022 and now an Oriental restaurant.
SE5, GEORGE CANNING (Stonegate). No longer sells real ale.
SE5, JUNCTION (Manlon Properties). Closed; landlord refused to renew lease on reasonable terms.
SE6, BLACK CAT. No longer sells real ale.
SE8, FULL NELSON. Premises boarded up in 2022.
SE10, PRINCE OF GREENWICH (Stonegate). No longer sells real ale.
SE13, JOLLY FARMER (Stonegate). No longer sells real ale.
SE15, FOUR QUARTERS (Barcade Ltd). No longer sells real ale.
SE15, JOHN THE UNICORN (Portobello). No longer sells real ale.
SE16, LONDON CALLING SWEDEN. Closed; the business was seemingly a victim of the COVID pandemic.
SE18, ORDNANCE, 18 Beresford Sq. Reopened but with no real ale.
SE25, CHERRY TREE (Stonegate). Now unlikely to have cask ale available, even on match days.
SE27, PAXTON (Greene King/Queens House). No longer sells real ale.
SW6, DURELL ARMS (Greene King/Metropolitan). No longer sells real ale.
SW8, VICTORIA (Heineken). Real ale discontinued in 2022; handpumps removed.
SW9, PRINCE ALBERT (Greene King). No longer sells real ale.
SW9, TAPROOM BY BRIXTON. Closed by November 2022.
SW11, SCHOOLHOUSE. Closed.
SW18, HOP POLE (Shepherd Neame). No longer sells real ale.
SW18, RAM INN (Punch/Laine). Closed temporarily from early October, with no visible indication of intended reopening date.
W1, O’NEILL’S (M&B), Wardour St. No longer sells real ale.
W1, SOHO THEATRE. No longer sells real ale.
W1, WOODSTOCK. Has become yet another SIMMONS cocktail bar with limited keg options.
W11, PORTOBELLO STAR (Marylebone Leisure). Closed due to flooding.
W12, ESCAPE BAR WEST (Stonegate). Closed.
W12, SINDERCOMBE SOCIAL (M&B/Castle). No longer sells real ale.
WC1, EASTON (Stonegate). No longer sells real ale.
WC1, SQUARE PIG (Greene King/Metropolitan). No longer sells real ale.
WC2, MAPLE LEAF (Greene King). No longer sells real ale.
OUTER LONDON
BARKINGSIDE, CHEQUERS (Heineken). No longer sells real ale.
CROYDON, ALMA TAVERN (Heineken). After initially serving cask ale on reopening in January, sales have not justified its retention
CROYDON, CROWN & PEPPER. No longer sells real ale; handpumps removed during refurbishment.
HAROLD WOOD, EAST SIDE BREWERY & TASTING ROOM. Brewing has ceased and the Tasting Room has closed; the industrial unit appears to be empty.
HEATHROW AIRPORT T3, OCEANIC (Big Smoke). No real ale.
HEATHROW AIRPORT T3, MARKET GARDENER. Closed
PERIVALE, BALLOT BOX (Greene King). Unused handpumps advertise the cider or bottled beers in the fridge.
RAYNERS LANE, MAN OF ARAN. Closed autumn 2022, reason unknown.
RICHMOND, DUKE (Tavern Property Co//LT management). Closed, all signage removed.
RICHMOND, RICHMOND VAULT BEER CELLAR & RESTAURANT. Closed after August 2022 flooding.
RICHMOND, WATERMANS (Punch). No longer sells real ale
RUISLIP, CAFÉ ROUGE @ THE SWAN. Closed November 2022, future uncertain.
SIDCUP, CHARCOAL. Having closed after a fire, now reopened as Greek Meze II restaurant.
SOUTHALL, UNDERGROUND BAR. Closed during 2022, reason not known.
ST MARY CRAY, WHITE SWAN (Stonegate). As of October 2022, cask ale had been discontinued.
SURBITON, CASTLE (Stonegate). Closed, lease on the market.
TWICKENHAM, TW2 THE GREEN. Closed.
| OTHER CHANGES |
INNER LONDON
E1, GOOSE ISLAND BREWPUB (Pioneer Brewing Company). Reopened as QUEENS HEAD in September 2022 by Urban Pubs & Bars following brief closure.
E1, TRACKS&RECORDS. Renamed STAR BY LIVERPOOL STREET by replacement operator Electric Star. 24 fonts but no cask ale.
E14, NARROW (Gordon Ramsay). To become BREAD STREET KITCHEN ON THE RIVER.
E14, SHUTTERS. Renamed PEDLER.
E16, BRICK LANE BREWS. Renamed BIG PENNY BREWS.
E17, BELL (Stonegate). Relaunched in October 2022 as a sports themed bar under direct Stonegate management. Doom Bar and two guest beers (recently Abbot and one from ELB).
E17, TRUMAN’S SOCIAL CLUB. Renamed BIG PENNY SOCIAL. Handpumps removed. The one cask beer (recently Dark Star Hophead) is now available on one of the taps via air pressure.
EC1, THREE COMPASSES. Relaunched by new operator. Cask ale is Landlord.
N1C, LITTLE CREATURES. Renamed BABEL BEERHOUSE by new owner In Good Company.
N8, THREE COMPASSES (Heineken). Now operated by Pubs Next Door.
N16, ESCAPE. Renamed HACKNEY DEN.
NW5, GRAFTON (Stonegate/Hippo Inns). No longer LocAle accredited.
NW5, JUNCTION TAVERN (Stonegate), Converted to Stonegate managed.
NW6, BLACK LION (London Village Inns), 274 Kilburn High Rd. Granted LocAle status for Five Points and other local beers.
SW18, EARL SPENCER (Stonegate). Recently refurbished and converted to managed format. Keen to promote locally brewed beers (Sambrook’s, Twickenham and Wimbledon).
W14, LIVE & LET LIVE. Demolished after long period of closure.
WC1, BUNG HOLE CELLARS (Davy). Renamed DAVY’S WINE HOUSE.
OUTER LONDON
CROYDON, BANGKOK INN. Renamed CORNER HOUSE after a change of management in July 2022.
HOUNSLOW, LORD CLYDE. Renamed GEORGE.
KINGSTON, BLACK HORSE (Stonegate). No longer LocAle accredited.
RICHMOND, REVOLUTION, 4 Whittaker Ave. This large establishment has now been taken over by SCOTT’S of Mayfair, serving traditional fish and shellfish dishes.
WEMBLEY, DICEY REILLY’S. Renamed DG BAR (& RESTAURANT).
WOODFORD GREEN, TRAVELLERS FRIEND (City Pub Company). Now operated by Portobello Pubs.