The Effra Hall Tavern

This is a typical London pub with huge amounts of atmosphere it's vibrant and very friendly. It has music nights that you don't miss

The Effra Hall Tavern — A Proper South London Local This beloved Brixton pub is known for its live jazz, laid-back atmosphere, and welcoming crowd. It’s a place where locals gather for a pint, a tune, and a good chat — no frills, just proper pub culture. Why it stands out: Live music most nights — especially jazz, reggae, and blues Great beer selection — including well-poured Guinness and rotating ales Friendly staff — praised for warmth and attentiveness Relaxed garden space — ideal for sunny afternoons Authentic vibe — no gimmicks, just good energy and community spirit

Popped in for a pint of Guinness. Great pub with friendly staff and a nice and relaxing atmosphere. The service was great and the Guinness was top notch. If your ever in the Brixton area you should definitely pop in here for a pint or two.

My first time visiting this bar with a friend who frequents on occasion. I really had an amazing time. The bar staff are more than friendly but nice guys /girls and competent to match. I was blown away by the band who preformed at 110% making the place electric. Some of the locals didn't seem to appreciate just how lucky they are to have such an amazing bar. I spent time inside as well as outside in the garden that had a real good vibe. The customers were all friendly and spent a lot of my time migling with a few groups during the evening. I'll l definetly be going back Wednesday for more of the same. There's music Wed, Thurs and Sat coming up so gonna make my week of entertainment I think. It's been a long time since Brixton was on my night out agenda but its certainly going to be again. Thanks guys for an amazing evening.

It's got seating inside & outside the pub. Great place with live band in the evening. They have bands playing Jamaican & other songs playing on different days. Lots of interesting people come in from all communities. It was an exciting & enjoyable evening

Guys. You know I often have many negative words to say. But today? None. The Cranberry breeze? Perfection. Rasta Pasta? A delicacy deserving of a Michelin Star. I have never had a better time at the pub. Thank you, thank you.

Nice atmosphere for a drink but don’t bother ordering food. I was accidentally charged double and it never arrived.

One of the best bars we happened to stumble upon during our time in Brixton. The staff here are friendly and the clientele that comes in are welcoming as well. Nice selection of beers will keep you here

Yes! Jerk chicken, pork and jerk platters - check! Nice prices on pints - check! Off the beaten path - check! Many screens with football matches - check! Nice cozy beer garden in the back - check! If you're close to Brixton or Herne Hill this is a nice spot just off Atlantic Road. And yes, you can just walk down to electric avenue from here. Check it out.

This is a great pub, something of a hidden gem though very central to Brixton - spacious, nice interior, great beer garden, lovely Caribbean food. There's football on a lot of the time, but also a range of fantastic live music, which you wouldn't necessarily know about just from walking past the pub. I think they have the music most nights of the week, but they don't advertise it all - they really need to put some posters up with the month's events or something. I've stumbled across some wonderful jazz here entirely by accident! Anyway - I love this pub for its authentic feel. Appreciate it while it lasts, as Brixton becomes increasingly gentrified and anonymous. Have you seen what they've done to the poor Trinity?

Like a scene out of The League of Gentlemen, I heard the resounding silence of the locals gaze. All in unison saying, "you're not a local!" On the other hand and having visited with friends who are like furniture there, my first experience of the Effra could have also been likened to that of Bridget Jones' & her relationship with her mother; arriving at a family party and being introduced & shown around like a prized horse! Having been serval times since, I understand why it is home from home for my ladies, as the ever familiar Cheers comradery mists my thoughts, so it is with the patrons who will indeed be your wife too... Dave.

Coming from New York City, I hear a lot of people say that our city has it all. But I can tell you that we do not have an Effra Hall. (Ugh pardon the rhyme.) When I came to London for my birthday this past November, I knew that I wanted to visit Brixton. I had heard so much about it, and I wanted the visit to be more than The London Eye and Tower of London (although those were awesome too). A friend of mine suggested Effra Hall, and so on my very last night, I met him at the Brixton stop and off we went. There weren't many chairs around to start when we walked in, and certainly none available. An older gentleman was standing next to a chair, and when I asked him if it was free, he grunted but said nothing. Ever the optimist (not really), I took this to mean it was free. I was wrong. As I reached for it, he still said nothing, but firmly pulled it away from me. Oddly enough, this was when I knew I would like Effra Hall. I eventually scored a table with my friend and we ordered some food while everyone else watched the football game. Surprisingly, the food was good! And before long, a ska/jazz band started playing in the back room. JAMMING. I kept the cider flowing, we made some new friends, I saw a beautiful man who looked like black Jesus but never did talk to him (how can you just walk up to Jesus?), and before I knew it the bar was closing. Too soon, man. I caught the last train back to my Air B&B and said goodbye. If--no, when I come back to London, I'm coming back to Effra Hall. Earlier in the night this time. And just maybe I'll say hi to Jesus.

One of the best nights of my life culminated at this very cool establishment in Brixton. My travel companion and I traveled up to Brixton on a Sunday afternoon, just hanging out and walking around. We met a cool guy who'd spent some time in the states and he suggested that we come with him to meet friends at Effra. Coziest pub ever! Sunday nights they had open mic, so poets and vocalists entertained us all evening, and our new friend was well acquainted with the barkeep and kept us hooked up with pints all night. I highly recommend this place. Comfy, friendly and a place where everybody really does seem to know your name.

Great local pub with a nice, fun and friendly Brixton crowd. While the ale selection may not be as broad as in some of the newer Brixton bars, it has a lovely local feel to the place - like somewhere people have been going for a long time. And, it's possible to get a drink pretty quickly which sadly isn't the case in the newer places that have been getting horribly packed lately! There's a lovely little beer garden out back too. Looking forward to checking out some of the live jazz they've got on. Enjoy, C*

I'm a huge fan of the Effra but you'll find me there on a Sunday night when Lauren Dalrymple runs a live jazz jam session (she's been doing this for just under 12 years now!) with the sassy and friendly professionalism of a seasoned performer she bring the pub and it's crowd to life, all the time the brilliantly friendly and relaxed atmosphere makes the jazz even sweeter! the night brings in a mixed crowd, old to young chatty to chilled they are all in here coexisting with a bluesy chilled vibe. A nice one for lovers of live music, friends, lovers, or a night out with your folks too - there's no one this night doesn't cater for! Drinks = good, prices = good what can I say, it's all gooooooooooooooood! ;)

Having lived in Brixton for 18 months when I first moved to London I couldn't believe it when a friend told me I hadn't unearthed a hidden gem- only a stones throw away from the Ritzy cinema. I was very intrigued - and not at all let down after my first visit. We decided to go for a couple of stretching drinks before heading of to see the chemical brothers but were having such a good time we missed the warm up act. There is a great selection of beers on tap, good music and a buzzing atmosphere- you can tell everyone there is having a really good time. I am also a huge fan of caribbean food so I was really excited to see jerk pork and mutton curry on the menu- who needs more than 2 options when they are both this good?It was really spicy, delicious and set me up for the entire evening! This place really is something special- its everything you hope for in a Brixton pub.

Chanced on this and pulled-in by the Red Stripe and the opportunity of some lunch. And it wasn't too bad: bit of Jerk Chicken and cold beer. looks like it could be a cool place in the evenings, so I think we'll be back to dig the scene then

My fav pub in Brixton, good reasonably priced beers, great live reggae and jazz and a delicious but small home cooked kitchen menu. People are friendly in general and all ages come to enjoy the good atmosphere.

Brilliant out-of-the-way local with free music on from time to time. Very Brixton. Very Local. Very excellent. Seem to make about 12 roast dinners as they're coveted, but difficult to come by...

Not quite what I was expecting as I'd heard very good things about the Effra. It's nice in that it's a pub that hasn't been messed about with, ok beer garden (although pretty small) and friendly enough service but I thought it lacked atmosphere. Left here and wandered up the hill to the White Horse where the welcome was much warmer....

A regulars kind of pub on a residential street. A little difficult to find a seat, but cozy. They had football playing on a number of tvs. They also have a number of craft beer in bottles. More standard options are on tap.

A lovely pub in Brixton, very laid back atmosphere and a great place for a saturday night or sunday afternoon. The jazz is a real treat too. There aren't many pubs in south London that are so welcoming.

This is one of my Brixton favourites! Red stripe on tap, fantastic live Jazz band with lots of locals dancing, Authentic Carribean food, Nice beer garden, good service, lovely laid back atmosphere. You wont find a better spot for a beer in Brixton.

The reviews here really let me down! No character in this place dirty, bad lighting, and bad selection of drinks.

Without a doubt the best pub in South London. Always friendly good service and live music you can't beat it! Highly recommended.

Popped in today with a friend today after telling him how good it was when I went in a couple of Sunday's ago. What a disappointment. Five o'clock and the place was empty which is fine but did the bar tender smile or welcome us? No she didn't. All we got was a look and a nod up to the sky which I presume meant ' what would you like? '. When we left six people were in there drinking and not once did we get a friendly smile. Shame.

The Effra is one of the best watering holes you'll find in Brixton. Decked out in a victorian period style, (Like the Queen Vic) it's popular with the older generation, many of whom are regulars on first name terms with the staff. But it is by no means an old man's pub, it has a vibrant if laid-back atmosphere, a great place to watch the football, even having a plasma screen in their outdoor area to accomodate the smokers. There are also regular music nights with live ska, regga and jazz, even a few karaoke nights and the music is always good. The prices are average for London, around £3.10 a pint, but there are good deals to be had on pitchers if you're counting the pennies. One of the best features though is the humble Afro-Carribean cuisine, the jerk-chicken is an absolute delight and worth a visit on it's own. All in all it's a friendly, well run pub which I am proud to call my local.