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Chat about:
Yet another list with Tris39
on the Pub Forum
Image posted by Malden man
Submitted on Saturday, 16th September 2017
With picture contributions to 1776 other pubs
View all this pub's pictures (9 more images)
Detail Pages
Effra Social, Brixton, SW2
SW2
SW2 1DF
Served areas
Reviews of Effra Social (Average Rating: 6½ of 10) see review guidelines
Steve of N21 left this review about Effra Social
As described below this former conservative club conversion is more a music and entertainment venue than a proper pub, but when the sun is out on a fine day the front patio area with is covered bench seating is a nice spot for a pint.
On busy summer evenings there is a small dispensing bar with a few taps in the corner of the front space, but usually you have to go up steps to enter, turn left and right along the corridor past the former Conservative club boards, then down a staircase to the main room with bar where all the advertised DJ and televised sport happens. For me it’s all a bit dark, with no natural light, so wouldn’t contemplate a visit unless it was to see an act or watch an evening sport event.
Now part of the Portobello Brewery Estate, there are still three ale hand pumps on the bar but none of these were badged for my recent visits so it looks like they have decided their target demographic have no interest in cask beer. Therefore it is now the keg taps only and fortunately the Portobello Off Peak IPA was a decent beer once it had warmed up a bit, and only £4.95 before 7.00pm.
On 11th June 2026
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2351 recommendations about 2197 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tris C left this review about Effra Social
One of two Brixton hostelries taking its name from Effra Hall, demolished towards the end of the 19th century. The scruffy sign has now gone, replaced by a gayly luminescent arched number, behind which is a substantial beer patio – with LGBTQ+ flag – where almost all the customers had congregated at the time of my warm Wednesday 8.50pm arrival.
This place opened in Brixton’s former Conservative Club in 2013 and formerly an Antic joint, is now operated by the Portobello Pub Co., though it bears an uncanny resemblance to Antic’s Balham Bowls Club, with lots of regimental coats of arms to picture rails and pot shelf. There’s a small snug bar upstairs, with rather grand 1930s’ fireplace. Downstairs, and there’s a grand ballroom with parquet floor and woody bar array, probably dating back to at least the 1960s; to the rear is a stage area and another LBGTQ+ flag and furniture is tall, simple and mixed, lighting coming from attractive Art Deco sconces. There’s much Tory-themed memorabilia, with other items such as framed front covers from Private Eye, a couple of portraits of the Queen and trophy cabinet, replete with engraved shields and silverware. As mentioned, most customers were outside, young and trendy types; just two customers – older than me and possibly former club members – were seated in the ballroom.
Ale amounted to an unused pump, Portobello Star then just Sambrook’s Pumphouse, £2.80 a half and slightly flabby, served by a friendly barmaid.
Whilst certainly not a destination pub, it’s miles better than the offerings in central Brixton, making for a good crawl with the neighbouring Elm Pak Tavern and Effra Hall, but given the parentage, why just two cask offerings and only one from Portobello?
On 15th June 2024
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2337 recommendations about 2279 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Malden man left this review about Effra Social
You could easily walk past this place oblivious to the presence of a pub semi-concealed behind trees and with the blue sign declaring "Effra Social" being the only and unconvincing clue on the front wall. Not the easiest pub to photograph either being shrouded by branches. There is a scruffy outside seating area at the front under the trees.
This is the former Effra Conservative Club, once inside the previous use is clearly evident. A small front bar has the club trademark shutters down although a TV showed muted sport, the corridor is lined with club posters and old correspondence from the club days one in particular of amusement as it suggests a dispute over loss of membership for "inappropriate behaviour" regarding another member's wife.
The main bar is in a former function room/dance hall to the rear which has a stage at the far end. A sign leads you beyond to a restaurant but I didn't venture that far. The bar runs along a section of a side wall, small tables fill the central space with more comfortable options along the opposite side. There is a curved open ceiling, wood block flooring and timber boarded walls. A bar football table and pinball machine sit side by side at the end of the bar. Board games are in a cabinet and the old club noticeboard now lists events such as live music and quiz nights. A decent lively background soundtrack was playing.
Seven handpumps, five were in use, Titanic Plum Porter, Oakham Citra, Fallen Brewing Grapevine (£4.50) plus two ciders, Old Rosie and Hazy Rays. Food served, a short but interesting looking menu of snacks, sharing plates and mains.
This is an unusual and very different spot well worth seeking out and a lot more laid back than some of the busy and boisterous places in central Brixton.
On 17th September 2017
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1711 recommendations about 1684 pubs]
View more reviews of Effra Social (8)
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- Official site of Effra Social - effrasocial.co.uk
- Instagram site of Effra Social - www.instagram.com
- CAMRA WhatPub :: Effra Social - whatpub.com
Brixton, 0.65 miles, 12 min walk (show)
Loughborough Junction, 1.07 miles, 20 min walk (show)
Pub Details
Pub details supplied by members of this site to the best of their knowledge. Please check with pub directly before making a special trip.
- Accommodation : No last updated 06 October 2013 by Pub SignMan
- Bar Billiards : No last updated 06 October 2013 by Pub SignMan
- Beer Festivals : No last updated 15 June 2024 by Tris C
- Beer Garden : Yes last updated 06 October 2013 by Pub SignMan
- CAMRA Discount : No last updated 15 June 2024 by Tris C
- Car Park : No last updated 06 October 2013 by Pub SignMan
- Darts : No last updated 15 June 2024 by Tris C
- Function Room : Yes last updated 15 June 2024 by Tris C
- Hot Food : Yes last updated 14 May 2013 by ROB Camra
- Jukebox : No last updated 15 June 2024 by Tris C
- Karaoke : No last updated 15 June 2024 by Tris C
- Live Music : Yes - Thursdays, 19.30. - last updated 15 June 2024 by Tris C
- Live TV Sports : Yes - Selective. - last updated 15 June 2024 by Tris C
- Micropub : No last updated 15 June 2024 by Tris C
- Pinball : No last updated 06 October 2013 by Pub SignMan
- Pool Table : No last updated 15 June 2024 by Tris C
- Quiz Night : Yes last updated 15 June 2024 by Tris C
- Real Ale : Yes last updated 15 June 2024 by Tris C
- Real Cider : No last updated 15 June 2024 by Tris C
- Wheelchair Access : No - Flight of steps to get in, WCs downstairs. - last updated 15 June 2024 by Tris C
- WiFi : Yes last updated 15 June 2024 by Tris C
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