The Hootananny, Brixton, SW2

Tris C left this review about The Hootananny

Probably rebuilt in the interwar years, this is an early 19th century pub, which as mentioned, was once the George Canning and a branch of Hobgoblin until 2007 when the current Jools Holland-free name arrived.
I did encounter the aforementioned bouncer at the time of my Wednesday visit at just gone 8.30pm, but not the ageism, probably because I still fit – just – the demographic at which this pub is aimed. With an even larger live music venue in use to the left-hand side, as mentioned, the interior is huge; the right-hand bar alone is substantial, with a flagstone floor, modern bar array, with a salmon pink matchboard front, which matched the Anaglypta to the dado then either cream walls or friezes depicting scenes of Grecian Bacchanalian revelry, also applied to columns. Furniture is either conventional stuff or green velour booth-style seating to the perimeter; to the rear there’s a raised area with bizarre zebra striped wallpaper and upholstery; well-used too, were the brace of pool tables. Customers were mainly mixed and outside, many enjoying the West Indian food dispensed from a shack.
There’s still no cask and a basic range of keg, me having forgotten what I ordered, but it was £3.80 a half, served by a vapid barmaid.
This place is a bit stark, but I suppose it may serve a valuable purpose as part of Brixton’s vibrant musical culture. However, the Effra Social bang next door, despite not being a purpose-built pub, offers a superior experience and decent cask.

On 14^th June 2024 - rating: 3
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