Last night, I went along to the opening night of the Effra Social, a new Brixton venue located almost next door to the popular Hootananny/Hobgoblin/George Canning music pub on Effra Road, a short walk out of central Brixton.
The Social is situated in the premises of the old Effra Conservative Club. It feels like you’re walking into a house, not a pub!
The old trophy cabinet by the entrance.
The corridor – painted Tory blue – is decorated with old paintings and club notices, and leads to the main function room at the back.
To the right is another bar that hasn’t opened up yet.
‘Er Majesty!
The dance hall interior looks more or less untouched since the 1970s and is all the better for it. And it has curtains!
There was a decent selection of real ales available.
Onstage was a mighty fine rockabilly band, Conrad & The Atomiks.
Note the old noticeboard at the back of the stage. I wonder what acts have had their names chalked on to that blackboard over the years!
It was busy all night and I liked the old school round tables.
With its traditional, no fuss looks, this venue could almost be designed for The Actionettes and the Mrs Mills Experience!
The bar has retained its original metal grilles adding to the authentic retro feel.
The DJ played to the right of the stage. You can see the full splendour of the 1970s wood finishes in this photo.
It reminded me of the old working men’s clubs I used to play in the Welsh valleys (but without the cans being thrown and constant demands for Tom Jones covers).
I loved the Effra Social – there was a good selection of ales on offer, the location is fabuously out-of-time, and it’s great to see a new, unpretentious venue opening up up in Brixton. I’ll be back!
Another view of the corridor.
Bowls winners honoured.
Read the BrixtonBuzz review here.
More info:
Effra Social, 89 Effra Road, Brixton, SW2 1DF
Tel: 020 7737 6800
The Effra Social on Facebook andon Twitter @effrasocial
Official website http://effrasocial.com/
OPENING TIMES:
Mon to Thur 16.00 – 00.00
Fri 16.00 – 01.00
Sat 12.00 – 01.00
Sun 12.00 – 23.00
Discuss the new pub and the background to the venue on the urban75 bulletin boards.
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Fri 2nd March – samba drummers galore at the free BrixtonBuzz launch party!
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Is it still connected with the Conservative party, or have they just retained the old decor? It certainly still looks like a Conservative Club, and the website has loads of old photos (not to mention a blue background)
I remember the Effra Conservative Club well from the sixties and seventies. My Grandfather was a member of the club for many many years and was the secretary of the club for more years than many can remember.
The club doesn’t seem to have changed much. The small bar upstairs, traditionally the ladies bar as women could not be members of the club. As one walked past that small bar one went down the stairs to the main bar. At the bottom of the stairs there was a door to the right which led to the basement and the secretary’s office. If you look at the front of the building the secretary’s office would be basement, right side. The curtains even look the same.
In the old photos on the Effra site the snooker table is shown in the main bar area. Eventually there was a room behind the stage that was built or adapted for snooker; I think there were three tables in there. My Grandfather is there in the photo of the committee members.
Back in the sixties the bar steward was a chap called Basil, still have photos of him stored at Dad’s. He lived next door to my Grandparents in Crownstone Court, not too far from the club. In the sixties thanks to our Grandmother at the club I got introduced to Coca Cola, cheese and onion crisps and the one armed bandit that was there.
The last time I was in the club was in 1997. Sometimes I think I would like to return to see if the Brixton I knew then exists today, even in small parts.
it isnt linked with the conservative party, just kept like it was. There are some fantastic hidden spaces in these old members clubs. Always a great surprise when they have to close their doors and someone takes it over. Going to be a great venue.
I guess it all depends on what kind of crowd they want to attract, if they price themselves out of the grasp of long standing Brixtonites they’ll make a LOT of enemies.