South London Pubs Archives

Featured local business - Clubtek

Forest

SE23

Hill

I was already a regular visitor to Clubtek’s DJ shop when it was in Penge, but now they're even handier in Stanstead Road, just a few doors down from Shannon’s Garden Centre - another old favourite. It’s by no means just for DJs and bands...

Pyrotechnists Arms to re-open?

May

2025

The Pyrotechnists Arms on Nunhead Green looks set to reopen shortly, having been empty for a few months. At any event its owners, the Stonegate Pub Company, have given it a lick of paint.The pub dates back to at least 1871 and has one of the most unique pub names in London. It derives from ...

Shirkers Rest SE14

Aug

2023

Don't think I've given enough love out to the Shirkers Rest, beer shop/bar at 9 Lewisham Way opposite Goldsmiths in New Cross.They have beers (and cider)They have events including open mics and comedy nightsAnd of course they have a slacker aestheticYes there's a 'Never Work' poster and the legendary 1980s 'I didn't go to work ...

Skehans – best pub in London?

Apr

2023

Good showing for SE London in Time Out's '50 Best Pubs in London' 2023 pub of the year awards, announced a couple of weeks ago.My local, Skehans (Kitto Road SE14), is now the best pub in London apparently. A few years ago it was quite empty on some mid week nights but its managed to ...

Bring back the White Hart SE14

Feb

2021

Sad to see the White Hart in New Cross Gate closed and empty. Leaseholders Patrick and Joseph Ryan, whose efforts had reinvigorated this iconic pub over the last few years, shut up shop for good on New Year's Eve. They have concluded that the pub will no longer be viable for them as a result ...

South London Pub Animal Street Art?

May

2018

So here's a few street/public art animals to be found in South London pubs.First up, never mind the famous cat model in Catford town centre, not far away on the south circular is 'The Pride of Catford' puss reaching down for a pint in the garden of the Blythe Hill Tavern (the mosaic mural is the ...

45 RPM at Telegraph pub

Mar

2017

Tonight - and every second Wednesday - it's 45 RPM night at the Telegraph at the Earl of Derby, the pub at 87 Dennets Road SE14. The format is simple enough, bring along a few 7 inch singles - actual vinyl only - and take a turn. Decks will be set up in the back of ...

Save the Ravensbourne Arms

Oct

2016

As reported at Brockley Central and elsewhere, pub chain Antic is closing The Ravensbourne Arms in Lewisham High Street (near to the hospital), possibly as soon as this Sunday. The pub, formerly the Coach and Horses, was opened in its present incarnation in 2011. Its closure would be a great loss to the local area, ...

The end of the (old) Brockley Jack

Mar

2016

The Brockley Jack in around 1868(source: Lewisham Heritage)The current Brockley Jack pub dates back to 1898 and replaced an older building demolished not long before. The pub had actually only been known by that name since 1863 - prior to that it was called The Castle. It is described in Walter Besant's London South of ...

Catford Constitutional Club

Jul

2015

I finally made it down last week to the Catford Constitutional Club, the pub in what was once the Conservative Club. The decor has a shabby period charm, rather like it was an abandoned outpost of a once powerful political party (OK they still run the country, but they have little presence in Lewisham). A ...

Music Monday: Live at the Montague Arms

Mar

2015

When the Montague Arms (289 Queens Road SE15) closed in late 2011, many people feared it was gone for good. Stan and Bet, who had been working there for many years, had passed away, and the famous contents of the pub had been put up for sale Today though the pub is going strong having ...