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 for pub details, and to ‘Submit Update’ when they find incomplete or out-of-date information.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
EC2, CLAYS CITY, 55 Moorgate. Modern gaming bar with electronic clay pigeon shooting. Keg beer, card payment.
EC2, GOLDWOOD SPORTS PUB & KITCHEN, 30-32 Old Jewry. Modern sports bar/restaurant.
EC2, VAGABOND SHOREDITCH, The Pavilion, 4 Principal Pl, Worship St. Opened June 2021, part of the growing chain of wine bars but also has a range of pour your own craft beer from 8 taps.
EC3, FEENEY’S IRISH BAR & LOUNGE, 48 Mark La. Traditional Irish pub with 7 beers and a cider on tap. Snacks are offered or you can order food from outside. Opened November 2022.
WC1, RUGBY TAVERN (Rugby School), 19 Great James St. Reopened by Berkeley Inns. Real ales:-Fuller’s London Pride; Sharp’s Doom Bar and Timothy Taylor Landlord.
WC2, ROYAL GEORGE (M&B), 133 Charing Cross Rd. Real ale reinstated: St Austell Tribute.
E1, BOOM BATTLE BAR ALDGATE EAST, 19 Chaucer Gdns. Chain games venue opened May 2022 in new residential development. Bar sells keg beers such as Amstel, Birra Moretti, Neck Oil, Brixton Reliance, Gamma Ray, Inch’s Cider and Strongbow Dark Fruits.
E1, KILL THE CAT, 43 Brick La. Craft Bar & bottle shop with 10 craft beers on tap.
E5, BLONDIES, 205A Lower Clapton Rd. Rock ’n’ roll dive bar with live music and a small garden. Keg.
E8, LONDON FIELDS BREWERY TAP ROOM (The Arch Company), 365-366 Warburton St. Acquired by Grace Land pub owning company. Now SAINT MONDAY TAPROOM.
E8, MARE STREET MARKET, 113 Mare St. Opened 2018 in former council offices, this food hall and creative market includes a bar with a large range of keg taps.
E10, BLONDIES BREWERY & TAPROOM, 258 Church Rd. Brewery & taproom launched by the sisters who own the Blondies venue in Clapton.
E10, GRAVITY WELL TAPROOM, Arch 142, Tilbury Rd. Reopened as LIBERTALIA TAPROOM. Taproom opened on soft launch on 26 August with the brewery going into production in September.
E14, CLAYS CANARY WHARF, Unit B1, 1 Cabot Sq. Gaming bar on the wharf at West India North dockside. Specialises in electronic clay pigeon shooting. Keg beer, card payment
E16, OILER BAR, Royal Victoria Dock, Royal Victoria Beach. Floating bar on a converted World War II refuelling barge. Under the cable car at the Royal Docks with views of Docklands. Keg beer & pizza.
E17, WILLIAM MORRIS (Heineken), 807 Forest Rd. Reopened under new management in July.
N1, PRINCE ARTHUR (Shepherd Neame), 49 Brunswick Pl. Real ale reinstated: Shepherd Neame Whitstable Bay Pale Ale.
N1, WILLIAM IV (Max Barney Pub Company), 7 Shepherdess Walk. Reopened.
N8, HARRINGAY ARMS (Stonegate), 153 Crouch Hill. Real ale reinstated: Fuller’s London Pride.
N9, RAILWAY (Enfield Council/RedCat), 19-20 Market Sq. Reported reopened August, still no real ale.
NW1, PERSEVERANCE (Morgana), 11 Shroton St. Reopened in late August mainly a cocktail bar but also sells some keg beers.
NW2, CROWN LONDON HOTEL (AG Hotels Group), 142-152 Cricklewood Bdy. Reopened spring 2023. Still no real ale.
SE5, GEORGE CANNING (Stonegate), 123 Grove La. Converted to Craft Union format following a comprehensive refurbishment including the installation of real ale: Sharp’s Doom Bar and Timothy Taylor Landlord.
SE5, JUNCTION (Manlon Properties), 171 Coldharbour La. Reopened as CASA MOFONGO BAR a Caribbean bar/restaurant at the end of Mar 2023. Beers on tap include brews from the nearby Brixton Brewery.
SE9, WHITE HART (Stonegate/Craft Union), 2 Eltham High St. Now selling real ale: Timothy Taylor Landlord.
SE10, VANBRUGH (Hamna Wakaf), 91 Colomb St. Reopened and renamed DUKE OF GREENWICH. The three handpumps and multiple taps offer regularly changing beers focusing on south London breweries such as Anspach & Hobday and Signal.
SE11, MANSION HOUSE, 48 Kennington Park Rd. Sharp’s Solar Wave found on handpump in August.
SE16, DOG HOUSE TAP, 87 Enid St. Opened in 2023, a second tap room for the Bianca Road brewery a couple of doors along from this railway arch. 8 keg taps selling, among others, Doghouse branded beers brewed by Bianca Road.
SE17, ORBIT BEERS LONDON TAP ROOM, 233 Fielding St. Was offering an Orbit cask beer in August.
SE18, GEORGE IV (Lakeview Estates/Stonegate), 120 Rectory Pl. Reopened by new management in August.
SE18, LE WOURI (Lakeview Estates), 78 Woolwich Church St. Reported to have reopened by June.
SW4, MEATLIQUOR CLAPHAM OLD TOWN, 13-19 Old Town. Reopened in May as APOLLO ARMS, reinstating three handpumps serving Harbour Cornish Bitter and two guest beers such as Wye Valley Butty Bach.
SW8, COUNTER (The Arch Company), Arch 50, 7-11 South Lambeth Pl. Reopened September 2022 as MARKET PLACE VAUXHALL, a street food vendor. The bar has around six keg beers.
SW9, BRICKSTONE, 256-258 Brixton Rd. Opened 2021 in former restaurant premises, the establishment is themed into zones; the outside area, a relaxed easy sitting area, more formal tables and chairs and the sports bar located at the rear of the building. Keg beers include Brixton.
SW9, CLAPHAM NORTH (Young’s/Livelyhood), 409 Clapham Rd. Now taken back by Young’s and reopened on 8 August 2023 after five months’ closure and extensive and impressive refurbishment, with three cask beers thankfully reinstated including a guest from Twickenham.
SW11, CROWN (Stonegate/PubLove), 102 Lavender Hill. A real ale from Portobello is now available.
SW11, SCHOOLHOUSE, 137-139 St Johns Hill. Reopened in August as GIAGIA, a Mediterranean bar and restaurant specialising in cocktails.
SW11, STAG (Wellington), 96 Westbridge Rd. Reopened in 2021 as ASPEN & MEURSAULT, a wine bar, off licence and cafe with a choice of three canned beers from Stroud Brewery. Enjoy the stout with Colchester oysters.
SW19, TRAFALGAR, 23 High Path. Refurbished and reopened. Surrey Hills Shere Drop and up to 3 guest beers.
W12, W12 STUDIOS (BBC), 195 Wood La. Reopened as DEAR GRACE. Keg beer.
OUTER LONDON
BARKING, ROYAL OAK (Greene King), 201-203 Longbridge Rd. Reopened in August as ACORN after a long period of closure, with an extensive refurbishment and new management. Now sells real ale: Morland Old Speckled Hen and a 3.9% GK house beer.
BLACKFEN, COPPER HOUSE, 31 Wellington Parade, Blackfen Rd. Opened at the end of June as a conversion from plumbing supplies into a draught beer and cocktail bar. No real ale.
CROYDON, CRONX TAP (Cronx), 71 High St. A Cronx cask ale is now available.
ISLEWORTH, CASTLE (Punch), 18 Upper Sq. Reopened under new management.
RICHMOND, RICHMOND CLUB (Stonegate), 115-117 Kew Rd. Reverted to HOPE and back in pub use. Fuller’s London Pride available.
RICHMOND, RICHMOND VAULT BEER CELLAR & RESTAURANT, 5 Hill St. Reopened following flooding. Now no real ale.
SOUTH HARROW, STAR (Aura Pub Co), 2 South Hill Ave. Real ale reinstated: two guest beers such as Purity and Rebellion.
| PUBS & CLUBS CLOSED, CONVERTED, OR CEASED SELLING REAL ALE |
INNER LONDON
EC2, ANTHOLOGIST (Drake & Morgan). No longer sells real ale;
EC3, BURY COURT (Stonegate). Closed, lease expired.
WC1, MCGLYNN’S (Chrismarc Ltd). Closed after death of landlord. Future uncertain.
WC2, CHESHIRE CHEESE (Shepherd Neame/Blighty Pub Company). No longer sells real ale.
E1, BUXTON (Stonegate). Handpumps unused July 2023.
E1, DIRTY BONES. Closed, future uncertain. Was briefly the Queen’s Header during the Women’s World Cup in 2023.
E1, ENGLISH RESTAURANT. Handpumps unused July 2023.
E1, OLIVER CONQUEST. Handpumps unused July 2023.
E1, WHITE HART (Heineken), 89 Whitechapel High St. Handpumps unused July 2023.
E3, WIDOW’S SON (Dalco Developments). Closed, lease on the market.
E7, HUDSON BAY (Wetherspoon). Closed, future uncertain.
E8, CROWN & CASTLE (Urban Pubs & Bars). No longer sells real ale.
E8, DOLPHIN (Stonegate). No longer sells real ale.
E8, EXPERIMENT (The Arch Company/Pressure Drop & Verdant). The breweries have been unable to agree a new lease with the building’s owners, so the venue closed on 15 July.
E14, BOISDALE OF CANARY WHARF. No longer sells real ale.
E14, SHIP (Stonegate). No longer sells real ale.
N16, TAM DALSTON (Temple Art & Music), 33-35 Stoke Newington Rd. Now closed and boarded up
N17, ELMHURST HOTEL (Heineken). Closed with lease on the market again.
NW1, COBDEN ARMS. Renamed BRONDES AGE CAMDEN. Handpumps removed during refurbishment.
NW1, N RESTAURANT & BAR. Now an Italian bar/restaurant called La Fenice
NW5, LADY HAMILTON (McGrath, Davies Property Services). Closed, future uncertain.
SE1, BEER HAWK. Reported closed in December 2022.
SE1, CAMEL & ARTICHOKE (Wellington). No longer sells real ale.
SE3, SUN IN THE SANDS. Closed probably to add extra residential accommodation but with the public house retained.
SE17, MANOR (Tenergy Walworth Manor Ltd). Closed for ‘a makeover’.
SE17, TANKARD. No longer sells real ale.
SE18, SALT WOOLWICH, Major Draper St. No longer sells real ale.
SE19, RAILWAY BELL (Punch). Closed, future uncertain.
SE27, PAXTON (Greene King/Queens House). Closed in early 2023 with reason and future plans currently unknown.
SW4, RAILWAY (M&B). Four unused and unmarked handpumps testify to discontinuation of real ale owing to lack of demand.
SW7, EASTSIDE RESTAURANT & BAR (Imperial College). Handpump removed during COVID.
SW11, BUNGA BUNGA (Natwest/Stonegate/Inception Group). Closed at end of lease August 2022 and boarded up by September 2023, Stonegate advertising for new tenant.
SW11, WOODMAN (Hall & Woodhouse). Closed.
W1, BURGER & LOBSTER. Handpump removed.
W1, DUCK & RICE (Shaftesbury/Stonegate). No real ale.
W1, MADDOX TAVERN. Closed, future uncertain.
W1, O’NEILL’S (M&B), Great Marlborough St. No longer sells real ale.
W1, SHIP. No longer sells real ale.
W1, YORKSHIRE GREY (Samuel Smith). No longer sells real ale.
W1, ZIGGY GREEN. Closed for relocation.
W2, SMITH’S BAR & GRILL. No real ale.
W9, HERO OF MAIDA (Maida Vale Leisure Ltd/Harcourt Inns). Closed, future uncertain.
OUTER LONDON
CHESSINGTON, CHESSINGTON ROYAL BRITISH LEGION CLUB. Closed, future uncertain.
CROYDON, APPLE TREE (Heineken/Whelans). No longer serves cask ale, due to lack of demand.
CROYDON, CORNER HOUSE. Closed. Sign says restaurant coming soon.
ENFIELD, PONDERS END ALLOTMENTS & SMALLHOLDERS ASSOCIATION (Enfield Council). Reported closed in July, future uncertain.
KENLEY, KENLEY HOTEL (Heineken). Appears to be closed at present.
KESTON, USKUDAR KINGS ARMS (Stonegate). Reopened as PROPELLER BAR & KITCHEN, rebranded as a ‘Breakfast & Brunch’ bar with no intention to stock any cask ales.
KINGSTON, HENRY’S (Stonegate). Closed, now a restaurant.
NEW MALDEN, HAN. Noted closed, reason unclear at present. Has gone under many names but was originally NEW MALDEN TAVERN
SURBITON, CORINTHIAN CASUALS FOOTBALL CLUB. No longer sells real ale.
WALLINGTON, ROSE & CROWN (Greene King). No longer sells cask ale, handpumps removed.
| OTHER CHANGES |
INNER LONDON
EC2, JAMIES ADAMS COURT. Renamed ANDREA ADAMS COURT by new operator Breal Group
N1, ANGEL (Wetherspoon). Now JUNCTION, operated by Urban Pubs and Bars. Two real ales, Redemption Pale Ale and Sambrook’s Junction but may not always be available.
N1, KINGS HEAD THEATRE PUB (Young’s). Now just KINGS HEAD following the theatre closure after 53 years.
N4, ARSENAL TAVERN (Stonegate/Craft Union). Renamed BROOK GATE
N13, WISHING WELL (Stonegate/Craft Union). Renamed CHESTNUT TREE. No real ale.
NW10, FIELD (Lexton Estates). Renamed TIFFTY TOMS
SE9, BANKERS DRAFT (Wetherspoon). Now operated by SJ Leisure London Ltd. There are 7 handpumps although initially reported as selling cask ales direct from the cellar behind the bar.
SE9, O’CHEESE’S BAR. Renamed LINGFIELD having changed hands in 2023. A number of bottled craft beers are served.
SE20, GRACES (BAR & GRILL) (Fusion Bars). Reopened as BAR FUSION in June as a music and disco orientated bar. Cask ale status yet to be decided, two handpumps available.
SE26, FOX’S (Town Centre Inns). Reverted to FOX & HOUNDS on reopening early July. No real ale.
SW1, CHELSEA PENSIONER (Wellington). Renamed CHELSEA GATE by new operator. Keg beers, no real ale.
SW1, GRENADIER (Grosvenor Estate/Greene King). In 2023 the operator became Ineos 123, a company manufacturing the Grenadier Ineos car marque; it is sub-leasing from Greene King.
SW15, SPENCER. Taken over by Market Taverns in 2023.
W6, OLD CITY ARMS (Stonegate). Converted to managed. Real ales: London Pride and Doom Bar.
OUTER LONDON
BROMLEY, BITTER END BAR. Renamed CORK N CASK.