We all love pubs and London is home to over 3,500 of them, with some dating back as early as the 16th century.
But in the last year, last orders have been called at 55 of the capital’s pubs, including south east London pubs like The London & Rye in Catford, which closed after two decades.
In his new book, London’s Lost Pubs, author Sam Cullen delves into 200 of London’s lost pubs that we’ve said goodbye to over the years and the stories behind them, using old pub guides and reviews dating back as early as the 1920s.
Cullen, whose favourite lost pubs include south London pubs the Zeitgeist in Lambeth and the Sun and Dove in Camberwell, explained: “As much as it’s sad that these pubs don’t exist any more, I wanted to make sure they are not lost to time by telling their stories, their history, and some of the quirky characters who drank in them.
“Pubs can tell you so much about social and cultural history. The book is a celebration of pubs that existed as a vehicle for looking at aspects of London life.
“My criteria for inclusion was that they closed within the past twenty-five years, and there was an interesting story to tell.”
Here are some of Bromley and Lewisham’s lost pubs that feature in the book, including popular drinking spots where bands and musicians once played at.
Bromley
The Three Tuns
This former pub on Bromley High Street was once frequented by Beckenham local and world-famous musician David Bowie, who Cullen writes performed there on “numerous occasions.”
The pub first opened in the 1830s and was housed in a mock Tudor building, which was a popular design during the Victorian period.
This former pub on Bromley High Street was once frequented by Beckenham local and world-famous musician David Bowie. (Image: Google)
Bowie played at this Bromley boozer from the 1960s on Sunday evenings up until mid 1973.
The pub was eventually closed in 2003 and the site is now occupied by Zizzi.
The Saxon Tavern
Formerly located on the border of Lewisham and Bromley, this former pub on Southend Lane was one a hotspot for live entertainment and DJ sets.
The pub first opened in 1945, formerly named The King Alfred, and remained open for approximately 50 years before eventually closing in the 1990s with the site now occupied by a Lidl.
The pub remained open for approximately 50 years before eventually closing in the 1990s, with the site now occupied by a Lidl. (Image: Google)
In its day popular comedians like Les Dawson, Bob Monkhouse and Larry Grayson played there, and a huge mix of music acts ranging from jazz to soul played there, including Del Stephens in the 1980s according to online forums.
Lewisham
The Montague Arms
This former New Cross pub that first opened in the 1860s was once featured in The Rough Pub Guide as the top pub.
The pub later became a popular music venue after it was taken over by Peter Hoyle, who turned the pub into a popular music spot.
The pub became a popular music venue after it was taken over by Peter Hoyle. (Image: Google) Some of the acts the pub had over the years, Cullen writes, included comedians like Mike Reid and Jim Davidson, and the pub was later used by the NME to interview Nick Cave, Mark E. Smith and Shane McGowan in the 80s.
The pub later closed in 2019 after being turned into a gastropub, sadly after a long battle to keep the pub from being demolished the pub has since been derelict.
The White Hart Hotel
Another New Cross pub we lost over the years was The White Hart Hotel, which according to Cullen was believed to be the oldest New Cross pub.
The former Grade II listed pub first opened in the 1860s next to the former Toll Gate that the area got its name from.
Cullen writes that in 2009 the pub was converted into a strip club before it returned to its original use as a pub.
The former Grade II listed pub first opened in the 1860s next to the former Toll Gate that the area got its name from. (Image: Google)
Later, the stewards gave the pub a revamp with a range of live music acts and DJ sets preforming at the pub on Fridays and Saturdays under.
In 2019 the pub owners – Wellington Pub Company – announced plans to convert the upper floors into flats, which many locals opposed, with 3,000 people signing a petition against the plans, which Lewisham Council later rejected.
Sadly, the pub later closed in 2020 after Lewisham Council’s decision was overruled, meaning the upper floors would be converted to flats after all.