The Phoenix pub in Denmark Hill offers a unique experience with its vintage charm and train views, making it a local favorite.
London: You know, there are loads of pubs in London with ‘railway’ in their names, but The Phoenix is something special. It’s actually inside a real Victorian station! This place used to be the ticket hall for Denmark Hill overground station, and now it’s a cozy spot for drinks.
It’s a hit with both commuters and the trendy crowd from Camberwell. The views of the train line below are stunning, and those old passenger benches? Super charming! The building dates back to the 1860s and served as a ticket office for over a hundred years until a fire in the 1980s changed everything.
Luckily, the Firkin Brewery came to the rescue and turned it into a pub in 1984. They did a great job renovating it, and it’s been a Grade-II Listed building since 1988. The name Phoenix & Firkin is perfect since it really did rise from the ashes!
Now, it’s part of Mitchells & Butlers, but it still keeps a lot of its original features. The high ceilings and wooden rafters give it a cool vibe, and those arched windows with benches out front? Just lovely!
If you’re into Victorian architecture, you’ll appreciate that Charles Henry Driver designed the building. He was behind many of South London’s famous railways, and you can see his touch in the brickwork and details around the pub.
There’s even a spiral staircase leading to a mezzanine area, which is pretty impressive. In summer, folks love to sit outside and watch the London Overground trains zoom by on the Windrush Line.
Denmark Hill Station was named the UK’s second-best station in 2023, just missing out to Wemyss Bay in Scotland. It recently got a £320,000 facelift, which is great for the area.
It’s such a picturesque spot that just a few months ago, a couple got engaged right there on the platform! Ian Stoney proposed to Laura McKinley, and the station staff even brought back a retired worker to make the announcement. How sweet is that?
The bar has a solid drink selection, including Brooklyn Stonewall IPA and Budvar lager. Just a heads up, though—the food can be a bit pricey, with chicken schnitzel and a smoked bacon cheeseburger both around £17.50!
