Goodbye to the HOBGOBLIN
95 Effra Road, Lambeth, London, SW2 1DF

Formerly the George Canning, the Hobgoblin has enjoyed something of a chequered history, with the highs being matched by lows.

On a good night, it was one of the finest pubs in London, with a rich mix of Brixton's finest enjoying the large outdoor area and the back room sound system. The Hob's comedy nights were well respected and many a fine band has taken to the boards there.

Sadly, time was called in August 2007 after a buyout saw the boozer being replaced by a bizarre mix of Scottish theme bar and Thai food restaurant and being renamed (and I kid you not) 'Hootananny.'

Here's some (very low res - sorry!) photos from the last Friday night.





There's a long discussion on our bulletin boards about the transition from Brixton boozer to an Och The Noo theme pub.

Here's how board regular tarannau announced the last night:

"Ah well. It's the Hob's official send off night tonight, before it changes hands next Thursday. Bring yourself down for the last rites of this venerable institution. The usual assortment of characters and dribbling locals, spread from pool table to smoky beer garden, nodding to their heads to a mix of tunes. Bring yourself down and pay your last respects. We'll be holding court and raising glasses again.

And then it's down to become the scottish branded bar of ridiculous national stereotypes. Staff wearing kilts, more tartan than you can shake a stick at, bagpipes, fiddles and even some numpty dressed as a ghost giving us a rendition of some sodding poetry(Burns no doubt). You couldn't make it up. It's cutting edge apparently, rather than desperately twee.

Still, good to know that their proud Highland branding doesn't extend to the kitchen, where there'll be serving good old Scottish Thai food, which tells you all you need to do about the bankruptcy and contrived nature of this silly concept.

Drink today. For those silly playing at Highlander fools will be us in a week or two. Until then, come and join us for a last drink in one of Brixton's most diverse boozers. All tribes welcome - just leave the tartan at home."




Rather quiet inside.


That garish neon sign in its full camera-sensor busting glory.



Here's how the Evening Standard announced the new pub:

Scottish dance revival in Brixton

A little part of south London is to become Scottish, with the opening of a ceilidh-themed pub in Brixton. The Hobgoblin pub in Effra Road is to be 'tartanned-up' and renamed Hootananny. It claims to be London's first ceilidh bar, and will offer Celtic traditional music and dancing, and staff will wear kilts and sporrans. Lambeth Borough has 5,000 Scottish residents.

Licensee John Davis said, "Brixton is known as a bit of a dive with problems such as gun crime and street robbery. We're hoping a bit of friendly Scottish hospitality will inject some fun and love into the area."


The garden was busy all night.



We saw this lament on the (heavily censored) official Hootenanny Boards:

O flower of Brixton
By: Sad Hob regular

When will we see your like again
That smoked and drank for
Your wee bit of effra road
And stood against Hootananny
Proud Hobgoblin army
And sent them homeward
Tae think again, innit.

The Hob garden is bare now
And the bar lies thick and still
O'er boozer that is lost now
Which those so dearly held
And stood against them
Proud Hobgoblin army
And sent them homeward
Tae think again, blood.

Those days are passed now
And in the past they must remain
But we can still rise now
And be the Hobgoblin again
That stood against him
Proud Hobgoblin army
And sent them homeward
Tae think again...you get me rudebwoy?



A last drink to the Hob.



The very last night (Thurs 30th Aug, 2007)
Report by tarranau

Well that was very sad. Popped down for the very last night before the changeover to say my final farewell to the old place. And encountered shut doors and sad-faced staff packing all their worldly possessions into vans. Seems the new owners unexpectedly forced closure a day early, current staff totally unaware till this afternoon.

I kind of expected to be pressing flesh and saying a fond goodbye and thanks to the staff. Instead, I ended up milling around outside, talking to a few other bemused folks and realising just how few phone numbers I hold for many of the familiar faces. You just kind of knew you'd bump into them in the same place at some point over the week.

Seems changes are afoot too. Talking briefly to the old landlady, it seems the pub's reopening again this Saturday, largely unchanged. Apparently one of the new partners has reconsidered things and backtracked a little after some visits and feedback - the main bar's going to keep sky sports,playing more classics and cover band stuff at night. The back bar will take on that more Scottish theme, bagpipes and Celidh tackyness and all.

No idea when the major refurb will take place now. Rumours were flying around a little while back that the new owners had underestimated the cost of kitting out the new operation massively. Perhaps they're trying to recoup some cash and put some feelers out at the moment.

Feel really sad to be honest. And a little cheated about a missing the final farewell in such strange circumstances. I felt for the staff too, all losing their homes and jobs in one fell swoop - I wish them all the best.

I'll always hold some great memories of the place. I'd like to share some positivity about the future, but the confused spectacle of a half-hearted Scottish effort on my doorstep seems strangely unenticing. Sure, Brixton's always been tolerant of diversity, but that diversity usually builds up organically, not by imposing a poor facisimile of a pub concept from Inverness unwanted on a neighbourhood.




Meet the new boss... 9th September, 2007.

More links:

George Canning/Hobgoblin: then and now
Bulletin boards
Hootananny Brixton


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