What was your impression of the new garden at the Effra Social? It seems to bear more of a resemblance to the terrace at the Laundry now than its more Jamm/Hootannany-like former incarnation.Some photos from last night:
In photos: Pub gardens reopen in Brixton and Tulse Hill, Mon 12th April 2021
It’s been a long wait, but pub, bar and restaurant gardens were finally permitted to reopen yesterday as coronavirus lockdown restrictions were eased. Many venues had made use of the lockdown…www.brixtonbuzz.com
Brixton food & drink news: new restaurants, bars, pop ups, cafes and more
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editor
hiraethified
I think it's a vast improvement on what was essentially a run down car park and bin storage area. Not sure why you're seeing comparisons with The Laundry's two large canopies when The Effra Social has a selection of covered and uncovered areas and seating arrangements.
Genuine query about whether you noticed a change to the tone and mood of the space. Effra Social is one of two or three places I consider my 'local'. That front area was never pretty, but it had an informality in its ramshackle nature that I quite liked. As a more structured and comfortable space I'd imagine it feels and works quite differently, current operating restrictions aside. To me it says 'dining' more than 'drinking'.
editor
hiraethified
If it was my pub, I'd do pretty much exactly the same given the situation we're in. They need to generate income to pay for the many improvements inside and I can't get all nostalgic about how it used to look, which was, frankly, shit and dirty (horrible bins not shown in this picture).
People used to regularly walk by not knowing that there was even a pub there - on a grey day there'd be no one outside so it just looked closed. I'd hear the same sentiment from people who I'd got to come along to my DJ nights. And underperforming pubs don't tend to stay around for so long, so I've got no problems with this space being properly utilised by an independent brewery.
I'm not sure where you're getting this notion of a new focus on 'dining' from my pics when every single person is drinking in the photos, either. I recognised a few locals there too, and the demographic seemed pretty much the same, although you can't judge fully until the inside reopens.
Their new menu is 'British pub grub' with 50% of the items for sharing, so I'm not seeing any fancy shift to a dining experience there, and inside they're investing on fixing the many problems with the building and - finally - installing a decent PA system. It's the kind of basic investment Antic should have made years ago, and I'm glad I won't have to drag up my own PA system again.
What would you have preferred them do with the pub?
editor
hiraethified
Maybe you should just stay away from the place if you can't get over this (possible) minor transgression of the planning rules?
Dear me, always so confrontational...
I haven't been in yet. Hence my asking. And I've consequently got no thoughts on what 'should' have happened.
I'm not being nostalgic either - but scruffy spaces can lose something through tidying, a topic often raised on these boards in various ways. If your impression was that the character of the place is still the same, then that's great.
Re the dining thing - a minor observation about the shift to smaller tables, booths and loose furniture from the more run of the mill pub beer garden-style benches. I didn't say fancy. I didn't mention the food offer.
And unrelated to any of the above, I am interested in the planning implications of the new layout - because it's the kind of change that would normally need a full application, and Rush Common consent too on that site.
Minor or not they've still broken some legislation.
I'd hazard a guess that if this wasn't an establishment where you have played and hope to continue to play, you'd be making a similar point.
Wouldn't want a clash of commercial interest would we Ed.
For the record -I'll go where I want thanks.
editor
hiraethified
Ah, so that's what it's all about.
If I can't get all worked up into a relentless froth over a sign that look actually looks less conspicuous and quite probably no bigger than its predecessor, then it can only be down to 'commercial self interest,' rather than not giving a fuck over something so mind-numbingly petty and jobsworthy.
jimbarkanoodle
Well-Known Member
Effra Social garden looked full last night, complete with efficient looking member of staff with clipboard hovering at the entrance. It looks very different to Antic days.
Im impressed that Hootananny have managed to add more benches and heaters down the side of their garden, got slick table service (compared to before Christmas) and happily havent jacked up their prices by much, even having the decency to retain their daily happy hour where a pint is £2.50.
Im impressed that Hootananny have managed to add more benches and heaters down the side of their garden, got slick table service (compared to before Christmas) and happily havent jacked up their prices by much, even having the decency to retain their daily happy hour where a pint is £2.50.
editor
hiraethified
The security at the Hoot are vastly friendlier than they used to be and it's a great space outside, even if the queue to get in can be inexplicably slow. The app and service was good too.
In photos: Brixton Hootananny’s beer garden is back open for business, April 2021
The recent loosening of Covid-19 restrictions has seen pub gardens being reopened, and following on from our look around Brixton bars earlier in the week, here’s a selection of photos from Ho…
www.brixtonbuzz.com
jimbarkanoodle
Well-Known Member
FFS. Theyll be at capacity already.
jimbarkanoodle
Well-Known Member
Now thinking of alternatives for this evening from 5pm onwards, which don't have a stupid queue at 3pm or be completely booked up by organised bottomless brunch types.
Is the Windmill open?
Is the Windmill open?
editor
hiraethified
It was busy when I walked past 20 mins ago but still room inside. There was a handful of spaces at the Effra Social too, where I spotted an Albert regular.
That's where I'm going! But don't tell everyone!
editor
hiraethified
Now that's what I call a queue!
www.brixtonbuzz.com
Jam-packed Brixton: pubs, bars and parks fill up as the sun shines and lockdown eases
The hot weather and the relaxation of lockdown rules has seen bars, pubs and parks fill up in and around Brixton today. Above can be seen the enormous queue at Hootananny just before they opened at…
www.brixtonbuzz.com
Gramsci
Well-Known Member
I went through the Brixton Village and past the Laundry this evening. Both were very busy.
One half of me says good. People getting back to normal life socialising and drinking. With small business being able to get going again.
Other half says people to close together. In Village it may count as being outside but its covered market. I can't help but think the large awnings and heaters almost make these enclosed spaces. Even if technically it counts as being outside. As in Laundry.
Pandemic isn't over yet. Germany, Canada and India are having third wave. In India new variant is more infectious.
Here Vaccine roll out has been more than these other countries. But a lot of people here are waiting to get Vaccine.
Not trying to be kill joy but listening to what is happening in other parts of world and it looks like virus /variants are here to stay for the foreseeable future.
One half of me says good. People getting back to normal life socialising and drinking. With small business being able to get going again.
Other half says people to close together. In Village it may count as being outside but its covered market. I can't help but think the large awnings and heaters almost make these enclosed spaces. Even if technically it counts as being outside. As in Laundry.
Pandemic isn't over yet. Germany, Canada and India are having third wave. In India new variant is more infectious.
Here Vaccine roll out has been more than these other countries. But a lot of people here are waiting to get Vaccine.
Not trying to be kill joy but listening to what is happening in other parts of world and it looks like virus /variants are here to stay for the foreseeable future.
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editor
hiraethified
I've no idea how the Village counts as an outside space, to be honest, but I think the risk is still fairly low unless you're tightly packed in with people.
What are the Covid risks when I'm out and about?
The BBC’s David Shukman on how to navigate lockdown easing while keeping yourself and others safe.
www.bbc.co.uk
BusLanes
Pedestrian
Walked from Brixton to Brockwell Park along Effra Road and the footpaths /bus stops were both pretty busy and I saw the Effra Social and Hootenany open. Former had people drinking/eating and the latter looked open/people on gate but I didn't look in properly. First time I've walked around that area at lunch time and seen it so busy on a Monday for ages.
Rushy
basically a scrotum
Traffic on Effra Road is currently chaos. Non stop angry honking.
editor
hiraethified
Another Brixton gin
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CH1
"Red Guard"(NLYL)
For those in East Brixton and limited budget - does anyone have a friend who has tried the re-opened Fox on the Hill?
I understand there are tents, or a tent.
Still a bit cold for me - so I am relying on reports. This bit of free pre-publicity in The Sun claims they can seat more than 800 outside. First-look at Wetherspoons’ beer garden with table service and 10pm curfew
I understand there are tents, or a tent.
Still a bit cold for me - so I am relying on reports. This bit of free pre-publicity in The Sun claims they can seat more than 800 outside. First-look at Wetherspoons’ beer garden with table service and 10pm curfew
editor
hiraethified
An update on San Marino - their sprawling outdoor area manages to accommodate all their relocated indoor seating, so there's plenty of room if you're looking for a coffee with friends. The bad news is that their wi-fi is as crap as always. I just gave up trying to connect for my one hour trial (and they've started charging £1 an hour).
organicpanda
cat herder extraodinaire
yep, the next stage of coming out of lockdown includes rule of 6 eating and drinking inside up to 30 in a group outside plus plenty of other things people are already doing
Gramsci
Well-Known Member
I picked up some bottled beers from Clarkshaws in Loughborough junction. They are re opening the arch in Ridgway Road on Saturdays.
Run by a friendly couple who treat making beers as as labour of love.
Highly recommended small business that deserves support.
Run by a friendly couple who treat making beers as as labour of love.
Highly recommended small business that deserves support.
Clarkshaws - Home
We are a family run nano brewery in Brixton. Award winning and all vegan beers.
www.clarkshaws.co.uk
editor
hiraethified
London Beer Lab reopening What’s on at the London Beer Lab in Brixton, April to June 2021
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