The Ivy House

Pub · Nunhead

The Ivy House

Pub · Nunhead

40 Stuart Rd, London SE15 3BE, United Kingdom

Highlights

A community-owned gem in London, this charming pub serves up a solid beer selection, delicious vegan stew, and hosts lively events with a friendly vibe.

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

ivyhousenunhead.com

@ivyhousenunhead

£10–20

Reserve

@onthegrid

"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

On the Grid : The Ivy House

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@eater

"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." - Adam Coghlan, James Hansen

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

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@onthegrid

"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

View Postcard for The Ivy House

@tom

It's nice

Best SE London Pubs

View Postcard for The Ivy House

JD Weatherspoon

Google

This is a fantastic community owned pub with good selection of beers and friendly staff. Would highly recommend for a drink. However, they really need to up their roast game. £22 for one piece of ham that I'd eat out the fridge as a snack. Aunt Bessie's. Rock hard carrots. And it took over an hour and a half to come. Love you but come on guys.

A MC

Google

Had a special event there yesterday. We were so well taken care of. Callum was an absolute star!!! He treated us with such kindness and respect. Service was beyond perfect and made sure our needs and more were met. Thank you so much Ivy house! Will definitely be coming back again!

Lauren Andrew

Google

Love this pub, has so much right but sadly the Sunday roasts are dead. Food took over an hour to come, it was rammed so that is what it is. When food did arrive, portion was small - £22 one piddely slice of Christmas Ham, hard as rock carrots, a little bit of cabbage, a ready made frozen Yorkshire (of the aunt Bessie’s variety) and a couple of roast potatoes. The quarter chicken, although nicely seasoned was tiny and had more bones than flesh. Food aside, everything else was bang on, just won’t be back for a roast anytime soon

Adam Thompson

Google

Cooperatively owned, great beers, nice staff, excellent building with a big gig space out the back.

Beth

Google

Hate to leave a review like this on a community ran pub but really unhappy with how we were treat here. Was directed by website to book a table via designed my night, it took My card details etc - i assumed the table (for 2) was booked after it said confirmed. Got to the pub for staff to tell me I should have waited for a confirmation email from pub which is strange as design my night had confirmed my booking. What made matters worse is that they would not seat us even though there were un reserved tables and a previous booking had just come in and said they were missing 2 of their party. Not good customer service at all.

Benjamin Landsberry

Google

Wonderful community pub, with lots of events and clubs. Well priced beer (if such a thing exists now), supporting local breweries where possible. Outside seating in the front and back.

David Lee

Google

Went specially for the Sunday Roast so not too impressed, but the pub itself was nice. One of the few, maybe only, community owned pubs in London. Live band playing in the back lead to a nice atmosphere in the front room. Sunday Roast wasn’t to our tastes. Meat was cooked well but was a tad chewy, accompaniments not up to scratch - the potatoes hard, pickled cabbage interesting, no stuffing, and the gravy too light.

Spike Mclarrity

Google

2019. Attended a friends 70th, a full on performance, good wo e and food. I ordered the vegan stew, absolutely delicious. Nice to be back, such a warm and wekcoming place, great staff team, attentive and helpful. Such a wonderful little gem. I have been to a couple events here over the last two years. It does have a good selection of beers and spirits, and a pub menu. It has a stage and plenty of seating, good place to hire for all sorts of events. I really enjoy the community atmosphere.

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.

@onthegrid

On the Grid : The Ivy House

View Postcard for The Ivy House

@eater

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

View Postcard for The Ivy House

@onthegrid

London

View Postcard for The Ivy House

@tom

It's nice

Best SE London Pubs

View Postcard for The Ivy House

JD Weatherspoon

Google

A MC

Google

Lauren Andrew

Google

Adam Thompson

Google

Cooperatively owned, great beers, nice staff, excellent building with a big gig space out the back.

Beth

Google

Benjamin Landsberry

Google

Wonderful community pub, with lots of events and clubs. Well priced beer (if such a thing exists now), supporting local breweries where possible. Outside seating in the front and back.

David Lee

Google

Spike Mclarrity

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

The Ivy House

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Highlights

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