The Paxton Pub

[MS93M]

Hello all, does anyone know what's happened to The Paxton pub? I recall visiting a once almost 2 years ago and it was like a nightclub with a DJ and about 2 patrons and overpriced drinks.

It is such a beautiful building rich in history and seems to always be closed with no signage to advise of anything. Does anyone know if the council has plans to do anything with this or if there is some discussion happening about it? Would be great to know!

Thanks,

M

[Sue]

59 minutes ago, MS93M said:

Hello all, does anyone know what's happened to The Paxton pub? I recall visiting a once almost 2 years ago and it was like a nightclub with a DJ and about 2 patrons and overpriced drinks.

It is such a beautiful building rich in history and seems to always be closed with no signage to advise of anything. Does anyone know if the council has plans to do anything with this or if there is some discussion happening about it? Would be great to know!

Thanks,

M

Where is it???

[teddyboy23]

I think it's in gypsy Hill 

[Earl Aelfheah]

Yes, the big pub at the bottom of Gipsy Hill. I was also wondering about it tbh. It's a lovely old building and was at one point, quite popular.  

[Dogkennelhillbilly]

7 hours ago, MS93M said:

. Does anyone know if the council has plans to do anything with this

I don't think the council (Lambeth, I think...?) would have anything to do with it.

[malumbu]

Hadn't realised that it had closed, used it a few times in the 00s, then it had a makeover that was very busy on the eye (spose it goes with some psychedelic rave image).  Walked down from Crystal Palace a couple of weeks ago to see it was closed, and an enforcement notice on the door saying that the gas and leccy meters had been removed, so owners gone bankrupt. 

[Sephiroth]

Back in the day (12-13 years ago?) when Scott and co @ Capital pubco revamped it I used to enjoy walking over from East Dulwich Grove and even had an after party for my 1-year old's birthday there. But it was a big old unit that never found its footing IMO. Neil (who managed Bishop and Actress for spells) was looking after it but felt it a bit  removed 

 

So when the  Green King takeover happened I assumed it was doomed. Shame - I have good memories

[Dogkennelhillbilly]

It's a nice building. I seem to remember there was a "pivot" to offering hotdesking services upstairs at one point. I think that was a hard market for many people to break into - and then COVID didn't help...

[ed_pete]

23 minutes ago, Sephiroth said:

an after party for my 1-year old's birthday there

How very East Dulwich !  Was there an after party after party ?

[Sephiroth]

if you have to ask, Pete... 😉

[Sue]

Self appointed Forum police here. Shouldn't this thread be in the lounge?  😂

[Patick in Dulwich]

The last person to have run The Paxton completely ruined it. From the moment I saw the large tacky looking plastic banner on the outside I knew what its fate would be.

[LeanneV]

It seems something is happening it’s currently being revamped- any ideas?

[malumbu]

On 20/04/2024 at 10:15, Patick in Dulwich said:

The last person to have run The Paxton completely ruined it. From the moment I saw the large tacky looking plastic banner on the outside I knew what its fate would be.

It was horrid.  In your face brash decorating.  Before that it was fine 

[Jenijenjen]

From the October 2025 edition of the Dulwich Society e-news:

"The Paxton pub at Gipsy Hill is being refurbed by Greene King and will reopen as a music and restaurant venue called the House of Mobo."

[Sue]

6 hours ago, Jenijenjen said:

From the October 2025 edition of the Dulwich Society e-news:

"The Paxton pub at Gipsy Hill is being refurbed by Greene King and will reopen as a music and restaurant venue called the House of Mobo."

I had to google Mobo, then felt stupid because I thought I should have known what it was.

If anyone else doesn't know, it's Music Of Black Origin.

[malumbu]

OMG,  Greene King.  How awful.  Music may be fine.

[Dogkennelhillbilly]

Still under construction but it looks good from the ourside...

[Sue]

On 30/09/2025 at 23:16, malumbu said:

OMG,  Greene King.  How awful.  Music may be fine.

Yes, Greene King doesn't bode well, does it.

Unless their ale has significantly improved from what I remember. It used to be like dishwater.

[Sephiroth]

7 minutes ago, Sue said:

Yes, Greene King doesn't bode well, does it.

Unless their ale has significantly improved from what I remember. It used to be like dishwater.

Greene King offerings generally are pretty poor IMO - beers not good, food is overpriced massively and equally underwhelming, and most don't have much of a vibe - plus I hate their standard font used for pub signage! That being said.... the 2 GK pubs nearest me appear to have significant leeway to do their own food and a few beers. But most other ones I go to are either pretty rough or pretty pretentious (Bishop in it's current form for example)

[Insuflo]

1 hour ago, Sephiroth said:

But most other ones I go to are either pretty rough or pretty pretentious (Bishop in it's current form for example)

Are you saying the Bishop pretty rough or pretty pretentious? I haven’t been in for ages.

[Sephiroth]

I used to like it's original incarnation (other friends did NOT like it), but when Capital pubco sold to Greene King, they turned it into some identikit, upmarket, let's pretend we are on the river in Richmond menu - hence pretentious. And completely anodyne 

The rougher ones tend to have the striking Green coloured signage with a simple ugly font

The pretentious (the ones they bought in Dulwich) go for a much flouncier look and feeling serve things like:

Sesame-grilled sweetheart cabbage, gochujang glaze, coconut yoghurt, crispy onions, herbs for nearly 20 quid

 

(time was, on here we used to get into debates about a burger and fries costing a whole tenner!)