Huge makeover turned my local into ‘superpub’ with one of capital’s largest beer gardens and hidden cocktail bar

When a beloved pub closes to get a facelift, there's a interest it's astir to suffer its charm to the emblematic gastropub interiors gloss.

That has not been the lawsuit with the Hope & Anchor, 1 of the capital's astir fashionable pubs, which has returned with a caller lease of beingness that puts it into a league of London superpubs.

The Brixton pub has been drafting successful punters from acold and wide since 1935, and is champion known for its tardis-like plot that's among the biggest successful London.

It reopened its doors connected November 7 aft undergoing a two-month makeover, truthful I popped successful to spot the changes for myself.

Having lived successful the country for years and enjoyed nights retired astatine Hope & Anchor successful the past, I was initially convinced I had someway stepped into the incorrect pub.

The interior has gone from tatty to tasteful successful 1 tremendous leap.

Gone are the neon signs, pinkish wallpaper and disco balls that gave the pub a 24/7 nightclub consciousness — instead, punters volition find themselves surrounded by acheronian wood panelling and leather Chesterfield sofas.

A large British pub with a twist

If the purpose of the redesign was to bring backmost the conception of the Great British pub, it's achieved that beyond the specified decor, too.

In its caller incarnation the Hope & Anchor feels similar a cosy assemblage pub; 1 that's lunch-friendly, kid-friendly and dog-friendly (you tin adjacent drawback immoderate treats for your pooch astatine the bar).

Along with a greater scope of locally-brewed beers, Sunday roasts are connected connection present for the archetypal time, but this is conscionable 1 of the large overhauls to its nutrient offering.

The paper present prides itself connected pub classics with a Brixton twist.

I went for the electrical brisket croquettes (a motion to the celebrated Electric Avenue just astir the corner) and the tater tots and ale poutine, some tasty starters that came successful generous portions.

That was lone aft overmuch deliberating betwixt different standouts: crispy haddock tacos, shepherd's pastry with clotted pick mash or, for the veggies among us, fennel flatbread with crushed squash and smoked chilli (to sanction but a few).

Hidden gems

Heading retired into the garden, the 13 backstage Wendy-house-like huts that enactment the outdoor abstraction person besides been refurbished, turning them into wintry cabins for tiny groups.

Each 1 comes with its ain TV and heater, truthful friends tin inactive ticker sports extracurricular successful the colder months.

An awning covers the full garden, to support pub-goers and its larger TV screens adust if the heavens unfastened during the footy — plans are adjacent successful spot to regenerate this with a retractable extortion successful the caller year.

And the plot isn't the lone hidden gem successful this establishment.

If you travel the understated motion pointing you towards 'The Rebel Rooms', you'll extremity up successful the pub's upstairs cocktail bar; a semi-secret spot with a flimsy speakeasy vibe and a dancefloor.

The Hope & Anchor's quiz nighttime connected Wednesdays costs £2 per person, portion drama improv events successful held successful The Rebel Rooms are wholly free.

If you're much artistically inclined, they've got you covered with beingness drawing, Christmas wreath making, watercolour and sculpting workshops.

So yes, the Hope & Anchor has had a melodramatic revamp. Yes, it serves up nutrient fancier than burgers and wings. And yes, a classy barroom has replaced the sticky aged upstairs dancefloor.

But contempt its suave caller look, the pub is inactive somewhat eccentric — and a large spot for fun-lovers who don't privation to interruption the bank.