The Ivy House

Pub · Nunhead ·

The Ivy House

Pub · Nunhead ·

Community-owned pub with draft ale, food, stage for bands

Information

40 Stuart Rd, London SE15 3BE, United Kingdom Get directions

£10–20

@cntraveler

42,481 Postcards · 5,683 Cities

Where Was 'Too Much' Netflix Filmed? Behind the Scenes of Lena Dunham's London Show | Condé Nast Traveler

"Jess and Felix first cross paths in the authentically unromantic toilets of this Victorian pub during an open-mic night; beyond its moment in the show, it has a solid reputation as a proper grassroots music venue, having hosted stars of the pre-punk pub-rock era, avant-garde evenings in the 90s, and early gigs by 21st-century names including Florence + The Machine, as well as Luis Felber." - James Medd

https://www.cntraveler.com/story/where-was-too-much-filmed

The Ivy House

@onthegrid

18,031 Postcards · 836 Cities

On the Grid : The Ivy House

"In the 70s it played host to musicians including Ian Dury, Elvis Costello and Joe but by 2012 The Ivy House was closed down and sold to a property developer before locals decided to buy it and run it as a co-operatively owned pub. The Ivy House has an unmistakable atmosphere, part pub, part community centre, part music hall truly serving the needs of its diverse community. Check the website for the varied range of events staged here including Blue Grass concerts, film screenings and live jazz on a Sunday with your road." - Studio A4 E+F

https://onthegrid.city/london/peckham/the-ivy-house

The Ivy House

@eater

391,688 Postcards · 10,991 Cities

London’s Best Local Pubs and West End Boozers | Eater London

"The Ivy House has the auspicious claim to being London’s first cooperatively-owned pub. Like others on this list it was saved from re-development by its locals, the only difference being that they’re a bit more committed south of the river: it wasn’t enough for The Ivy House’s regulars to just petition the council, they raised £1million and bought the freehold. In the 70s, the pub played host to gigs from the likes of Joe Strummer and Jeff Beck; today it continues to run a bill of live entertainment alongside its regular pub duties." - James Hansen

https://london.eater.com/maps/best-london-pubs

The Ivy House

@onthegrid

18,031 Postcards · 836 Cities

"The Ivy House, Peckham. In the 70s it played host to musicians including Ian Dury, Elvis Costello and Joe but by 2012 The Ivy House was closed down and sold to a property developer before locals decided to buy it and run it as a co-operatively owned pub. The Ivy House has an unmistakable atmosphere, part pub, part community centre, part music hall truly serving the needs of its diverse community. Check the website for the varied range of events staged here including Blue Grass concerts, film screenings and live jazz on a Sunday with your road."

London

The Ivy House

@tom

8 Postcards · 1 City

It's nice

Best SE London Pubs

The Ivy House

Elizabeth M.

Google

Amazing pizza and a very friendly local pub vibe. Lucky Saint on draft plus other really great beers too. It’s a great spot for live music and there’s a small pool table as well.

London Pub M.

Google

🚇 Nunhead 🍺 £6.00 Arnsberg Lager The Ivy House is located in a quiet residential street, near Nunhead Cemetery in the Newlands area of Nunhead, Southeast London. The nearest station is Nunhead. This former Truman's pub was originally built in 1865 and called The Newlands Tavern. The pub you see today was built in 1938 by Truman's principal architect, A.E. Sewell. Renamed The Stuart Arms in 1985, its name changed again in 1996 to The Ivy House, apparently in connection with the pub's Guv’nor at the time, Mum Ivy. During the ‘Pub Rock’ era of the 1970s, Ian Dury, Elvis Costello, Joe Strummer all performed here. In 2015, the pub was used as the Double R Club in the Kray film ‘Legend’. This pub became the UK's first community-owned pub and the first pub listed as an Asset of Community Value. This large, multi-room pub impressively preserves its 1930s features, including dado height panelling, a glazed entrance, a moulded stone fireplace, multi-pane screens, and original bench seating. A notable detail is the brown and white chequered spittoon trough before the servery. The main bar connects to a Hall, off which lies the Jacobethan-style former "Refreshment Room." A courtyard beer garden is located at the rear. The beer selection is diverse, offering four cask ales, locally brewed beers, and familiar favorites. I tried the Arnsberg Lager by @bexleybrewery ; my pint was great, price was average. The food option here is pizza, with nine choices available. A Margherita pizza costs £9.50, roast dinners return in September. Arrived around 4 pm on a warm Saturday in April. The pub was quiet inside, with most customers enjoying the spring sunshine in the lively beer garden. Inside had a relaxed atmosphere. The service was excellent; a friendly staff member was kind enough to share interesting details about the pub. The @ivyhousenunhead absolutely blew me away, what an outstanding pub this is. It just goes to show the power of community. A rich history, beautiful decor, friendly staff and locals and a top beer selection made for a marvellous London pub experience. Get it on your to visit list. 📅 12th April 2025 More London pub info on socials @londonpubmap 🍻

Dom C.

Google

Went for a soul night downstairs. Lovely big pub with some impressive music scene heritage. Buzzing in all 3 rooms.

Tom F.

Google

Great, community owned boozer. Always love a pint in here, so much character. Also came in for a gig recently which was awesome, great place to watch live music. Lots to love.

Leslie V.

Google

A lovely find we stumbled upon by chance, being in the neighbourhood. I would recommend booking in advance for Sunday roast. There’s a lovely ambiance, good selection of drinks (and good wines), very kind people running the place, books for kids, and gentle jazz music on Sundays.

Anz B.

Google

This is an amazing community-run traditional British pub! Their house beers are really nice and cheaper than your regular pint, and the pizzas are DELISH (as well as the homemade dips). The service is always friendly and efficient too. 🥰

Gary C.

Google

The ivy house is a great pub with a vibrant,fun atmosphere and a strong selection of ales. It's also a wonderful small venue, with the relaxed feel of a traditional folk club. The staff are friendly and attentive, and the toilets are clean.

Sergio Angot (.

Google

The place is beautiful but the staff is miserable, condescending and rude. Tried twice to have a roast there. First time got told very impolitely that we had to pre-book a table even though we managed to find one free, second time we booked days in advance only for our booking to be cancelled less than 24 hours before. After calling the place they had no explanation for the cancellation and weren’t able to book us a table through the phone. Useless.

Jennifer S.

Yelp

I went here for lunch today as I was eyeing the sweet potato and broccoli falafel wrap on the online menu. Sadly and frustratingly as often happens in London, the menu was outdated. So I got the spinach, lentil and quinoa burger on a sourdough bun sans chips, for £11. The waitress asked if I wanted anything on top and I said no, deeply regretting my decision when the burger arrived. It was so dry, despite the little bits of chili sauce bits atop the burger, and completely tasteless. The bun had a fine dusting of flour atop that sprinkled everywhere. Dense and chewy bun but still lacking flavour. A few greens were sprinkled on the side. The venue is pretty cool with an ornate stage and gold lamé curtains, and red leather sofas, so I would give more stars if just for the venue. But I can't get over that sad, sad burger. There's also a vegan stew on the menu but with no description of what it is, I wouldn't trust it either. Dog-friendly so that's a plus!

Josephine B.

Yelp

The Ivy House! From the outside it looks like a regular local London Pub. Once in side it still looks like a regular local London pub and quite a small one at that. A short bar with a few chairs and tables dotted around and a peculiar pair of large black double doors. Down the rabbit hole we go, for behind the black doors is a proscenium arch with tables, comfy chairs and chesterfields scattered around the auditorium. A rather impressive and welcoming space, that has played host to many a comedy night. A pub worth keeping an eye on, as it has been know to birth some pretty special comedy talent.

James D.

Yelp

London's 1st ever pub bought under the 2011 Localism Act. Impressive. What does this mean? Well since the past reviews this pub was closed and then resurrected by a group of locals committed to SE15. (take a look at the pic) It's a little rough around the edges but deserves 5 stars solely on the premise. That being said its a decent typical London pub. Loads of ales, lagers, ciders by the keg and bottle, wouldn't bother with the wine. Food is classic pub fayre, the burger was very good and the pies looked amazing. Add to that it has a variety of performances on their stage, comedy, bands, crafts etc. Great local, with a cool crowd, looking forward to a Sunday roast during the winter. Another insight into the progression the Nunhead & Peckham areas are showing in London.

James S.

Yelp

The Ivy House is a hidden gem out beyond the back of Nunhead Cemetery. It's the first community owned pub in London, and one of the best in my opinion. The building itself is a large former Truman's pub, but with lots of character. A bar services three rooms. The first is usually the fullest, with tables scattered here and there. The second and largest room houses a small vaudeville-style stage that hosts gigs and stand up. The third has dark oak booths lining either side. As well as some benches out the front, there's also a small and nicely furnished courtyard out the back. It's a huge space for somewhere quite out of the way, but doesn't ever feel empty. Being a community-owned pub in one of the most highly concentrated areas of London for craft beer, the range of beer on offer is superb. Breweries based in Brockley, Gypsy Hill, Peckham, Brixton, as well as many from further afield, provide beers ranging from porter to wheat beer. The food doesn't disappoint either. Sundays in particular, when the pub sets up a large barbecue outside the front, are a highlight. Try the steak. Being a community pub, there's also plenty of community activities, ranging from yoga to a chess club. Round it off with friendly staff who clearly care about their pub, and you've got a five star establishment. Highly recommended!

Jennifer S.

Yelp

I came here to see a few bands play. Kind out of the way to get to being there isn't a tube nearby. So took a taxi. The stage is beautiful! I know why the first band had chosen this location to shoot their video. They have a very large room for bands and crowds. I've seen some people order food. Haven't a clue if it's any good, but did look appealing. Prices are average. The only complaint is when the barman measured my wine. I am very peeved by that. If I pay 5 pounds for a wine, fill the bloody thing to the top! But all and all, nice pub! And a good place to see bands!

Kenneth M.

Yelp

Pleasant atmosphere and a good range of ales in this lovingly run community establishment. A real success story that deserves all the support it gets. We travelled across London from Muswell Hill to Nunhead for a few pints on Sunday night and weren't disappointed. Prices are as high as anywhere in the city but you at least know the destination of any profit is more ethical than many other places.

Charlie G.

Yelp

Impressive beer selection, prices average, good atmosphere although the big room feels very big when it's a quiet night. The rear beer garden looks like it would be good in the summer.

@cntraveler

42,481 Postcards · 5,683 Cities

Where Was 'Too Much' Netflix Filmed? Behind the Scenes of Lena Dunham's London Show | Condé Nast Traveler

https://www.cntraveler.com/story/where-was-too-much-filmed

The Ivy House

@onthegrid

18,031 Postcards · 836 Cities

On the Grid : The Ivy House

https://onthegrid.city/london/peckham/the-ivy-house

The Ivy House

@eater

391,688 Postcards · 10,991 Cities

London’s Best Local Pubs and West End Boozers | Eater London

https://london.eater.com/maps/best-london-pubs

The Ivy House

@onthegrid

18,031 Postcards · 836 Cities

London

The Ivy House

@tom

8 Postcards · 1 City

It's nice

Best SE London Pubs

The Ivy House

Elizabeth M.

Google

Amazing pizza and a very friendly local pub vibe. Lucky Saint on draft plus other really great beers too. It’s a great spot for live music and there’s a small pool table as well.

London Pub M.

Google

Dom C.

Google

Went for a soul night downstairs. Lovely big pub with some impressive music scene heritage. Buzzing in all 3 rooms.

Tom F.

Google

Great, community owned boozer. Always love a pint in here, so much character. Also came in for a gig recently which was awesome, great place to watch live music. Lots to love.

Leslie V.

Google

Anz B.

Google

Gary C.

Google

Sergio Angot (.

Google

Jennifer S.

Yelp

Josephine B.

Yelp

James D.

Yelp

James S.

Yelp

Jennifer S.

Yelp

Kenneth M.

Yelp

Charlie G.

Yelp

Impressive beer selection, prices average, good atmosphere although the big room feels very big when it's a quiet night. The rear beer garden looks like it would be good in the summer.

The Ivy House

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Where Was 'Too Much' Netflix Filmed? Behind the Scenes of Lena Dunham's London Show | Condé Nast Traveler

On the Grid : The Ivy House

London’s Best Local Pubs and West End Boozers | Eater London

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Where Was 'Too Much' Netflix Filmed? Behind the Scenes of Lena Dunham's London Show | Condé Nast Traveler

On the Grid : The Ivy House

London’s Best Local Pubs and West End Boozers | Eater London