For every new, exciting venture that springs up, London seems to shed another favourite. Once again, it's time to cue the melancholy piano for our ever-swelling list of places that closed down in 2024. As always, though, there are one or two silver linings along the way.
KidZania, Shepherd's Bush
For eight years, children at KidZania lived out adult fantasies as firefighters, pilots and construction workers, but the Westfield-based attraction abruptly announced in early January that playtime was over. There is, for now at least, one other KidZania you could technically visit with the little tykes, although seeing as it's in Tokyo, it's not exactly a day trip.
Pergola Paddington
Christmas was always a fun time to visit Pergola Paddington, the west London food/drinks venue that dolled itself up as a ski lodge with snow-dusted pines. Alas, there'll be no more fondue and fizz here; early in 2024, the venue shuttered for good having entertained millions of guests. Grieving fans can still get their fix at sister venue, Pergola Canary Wharf, which remains very much open — as does the newish Pergola Brixton.
House of St Barnabas, Soho
A truly fascinating place, we've previously written an article about the House of St Barnabas, a members club/charity inside a handsome Georgian edifice overlooking Soho Square, and once home to sewer-designing genius Joseph Bazalgette, as well as inspiring a location in Charles Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities. More recently, the likes of Jarvis Cocker and Miranda Sawyer were members of the unique club that pumped profits into good causes for the homeless. But in mid January 2024, the House of St Barnabas revealed it was closing its doors, due to its business model being 'no longer sustainable'. We're keeping everything crossed that the next chapter in this building's history is just as interesting/philanthropic as the last.
Harringay Arms, Crouch Hill
The Harringay Arms no longer reverberates with the madness of bottomless drag bingo, since its windows and doors were boarded up in January. In 2021, the pub became home to a thriving LGBTQ+ community — a genre of venue that's struggling in London right now. "Bloody shame. It was a great little pub and to see any long established pub closing is tragic," said one punter.
The Glory, Dalston
Another LGBTQ+ bar — this one very much god tier — the Glory in Dalston had more anecdotes than a Graham Norton Show omnibus, including a New Year's Eve lock-in with Keira Knightley and Chelsea Clinton which got a bit wild. Though the Glory passed on at the start of February 2024, it immediately rose from the ashes as another LGBTQ+ club, The Divine, which is run by the same wonderful people, and promises the same levels of joyous debauchery as before. They even wrote an article about it for us.
Bar Elba, Waterloo
Those in the vicinity of Waterloo on a balmy summer's eve who were in the know tramped up the stairs to Bar Elba, a rooftop hangout where you could sip a cold brew while looking out over the high-rises (or just the bustle of Waterloo station below). This was a high-up haven where you could indulge in Oktoberfest brunches, or go skating at Christmas, but Bar Elba threw in the towel in February, but has since been replaced by Circe's. Altogether now "It's the Cirrrrrce of liiiife..."
Good Neighbour, Camberwell, Peckham and Tooting
With a former Camberwellian in the Londonist ranks, we were great admirers of the Good Neighbour wine bars, which brought non-pretentious slurps to three chic south London neighbourhoods (and served excellent small plates to boot). We have particularly fond memories of doing Eat Out to Help Out in the Camberwell branch — our first taste of booze not bought in Tesco for a while. At the beginning of March 2024, Good Neighbour announced the closure of all three of its branches with immediate effect. "Sadly these are not unique circumstances in hospitality right now," they wrote, "and the reasons for this no longer need explaining."
Watermans Arts Centre, Brentford
Watermans Arts Centre closed in April, citing this decision as "the best possible way of protecting both the interests of Hounslow residents and the organisation’s financial viability ahead of its relocation to the site of the old police station building in Brentford." But there's reason to be cheerful: work on the new centre could begin as early as the start of 2025.
I Camisa & Son, Soho
Originally appearing in our 2022 instalment of Places We Lost, this homey Italian deli — famed for its £5 lunchtime mortadella sandwiches — was briefly resurrected. Alas, in August 2024 it shuttered for good. Everyone except Kemi Badenoch will be sad to see it gone.
Galvin at Windows, Mayfair
After 18 years peddling swanky food on Park Lane, Galvin at Windows bid farewell, saying "The memories we’ve created will remain close to our hearts forever." It's survived by Galvin La Chapelle, Bistrot & Bar and Galvin Green Man, in Essex.
Bromley Picturehouse
"Increasing operational costs and declining admissions" was the reason given for the shock closure of Bromley Picturehouse, the stylish art deco cinema that stood on the High Street. We hope the future of this wonderful building is bright, as another cinema or cultural venue of some kind.
Other places that closed in 2024
- Mysteries psychic store, Covent Garden. And no, we won't stand for any 'didn't see that coming' gags.
- Mere restaurant, Fitzrovia
- Leroy restaurant, Shoreditch
- Supa Ya Ramen, Dalston (following the closure of the Peckham branch in 2023)
- London Review Cake Shop, Bloomsbury. Signed off after 17 years serving up coffee, cocktails, 'experimental salads', and of course cakes. This place was much more than just a cafe. Some departing words here.
- Neverland, Fulham provided London with rare beach action for seven years, but at the end of summer 2024, it threw in the towel.
- London Shell Co, Paddington. One of the most memorable meals we've had was scoffing seafood on a London Shell Co canal cruise, so it's sad to see that both of its floating dining rooms sailed off into the sunset at the end of the summer.
- 2Northdown, King's Cross: Have to admit, we're not quite sure when this pint-sized comedy venue (formerly the illustrious Invisible Dot) closed down. But its social media seems to have petered out from May 2024. Will it regenerate again a la the Doctor into yet another wacky comedy venue?
Hot Dinners has listed more restaurants that closed in London in 2024.
Up in the air: Bethnal Green Working Men's Club; Bush Hall, Shepherd's Bush
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Back in March 2024 Bethnal Green Working Men's club — known for its wild cabaret, and LGBTQ+ friendly nights — posted a call out on Instagram, requesting 'immediate legal assistance'. But as of December 2024, is still putting on shows.
Dapper Edwardian venue Bush Hall in Shepherd's Bush is currently crowdfunding, but continues to stage performances right now.
The Harrison pub in King's Cross (well known for its live music and comedy) was feverishly crowdfunding earlier in 2024, but we think it's good for the time being.
On the move
Meantime's Greenwich brewery — one of the first modern breweries in London — is moving out from North Greenwich to Fuller's brewery in Chiswick. (Which is going to become one busy brewery.) Meanwhile, Brew By Numbers at Morden Wharf will leave London altogether, heading up to Yorkshire.
Also on the move was Sotheran's rare book and print shop, which left its Sackville Street home in March, but reopened on Upper Brook Street in central London, shortly after.
The Great British Beer Festival, which has traditionally played out at Olympia in Kensington was cancelled in 2024, owing to the venue's 'unavailability'. 2025's festival will now be held in Birmingham, making us wonder if London's gone and blown its chance of hosting the country's biggest beer festival for the foreseeable?
Last call: Manze's pie and mash Shop, Deptford
You've got until January 2025 to savour one of the old delights of London — a proper plate of pie and mash. Yet another of these Edwardian establishments will bite the (saw)dust next year — namely Manze's in Deptford. Owner George Mascall is hanging up his apron for a well-earned retirement, meaning this is your last call for a thrifty serving of pie, mash and liquor in this part of town. Better make your pie/mash a double.
And finally...
This feels the right place to spare a thought for Simpson's Tavern, which has been in purgatory since November 2022, when its Bermuda-based landlord closed it down with — yes, you guessed it — no notice. We continue to think of you and your Barnsley chops, Simpson's!
