Fox & Firkin

🚇 Ladywell 🍺 £6.40 Firkin Hells The Fox & Firkin sits on busy Lewisham High Street in Lewisham, South East London. The nearest station is Ladywell. The pub was built in 1862 and was originally known as the Black Bull. In May 1980, it was transformed into the second location of David Bruce’s “Firkin” brewery chain. The chain eventually closed in 2001. In 2023, the Fox & Firkin started brewing again at the pub. This is a large, spacious one-bar pub which has a traditional feel with a few contemporary touches. The servery is located on the right and stretches a fair way down the length of the bar. At the far end of the bar is a performance area. The decor consists of bare-boarded floors, traditional furniture, and an eclectic mix of wall art, including some original firkin signage. At the rear of the pub is a huge beer garden with covered spaces, cosy alcoves and plenty of benches. There’s also an outside bar with table football, a pool table and even a piano. The star of the show is the “Firkin Express” – a 1950s first-class train carriage which is available to hire. The beer selection is all keg and features a range of onsite, in-house brewed beers, plus three familiar brands. I decided on a Firkin Hells — my pint hit the spot, price point was just above average. Food-wise, it’s @yardsalepizza, who will deliver your pizza to the pub. I arrived at 12pm on a bright and sunny Saturday lunchtime in February. The pub had just opened, so everything was chilled, with an excellent playlist playing in the background. The service was top notch — I was served by a lovely team member who was kind enough to show me around. This pub is famous for the broad range of gigs it hosts, featuring genres such as punk, rave, reggae, ska, dub, drum and bass, blues, and everything in between. I enjoyed my time here. My pint was great, and I loved the beer garden, especially the train carriage. I will definitely return to check out a gig in the near future. 📅 14th February 2026

The beer garden out the back is sublime. A great place to chill, enjoy the music and some really great pizza.

Don't be deceived by what you can see from window. 1st time there to see a Cuban band. Amazing night with reasonable prices & a surprisingly huge garden with an outside stage. Easy to get to good transport links. Menu looks good but didn't try this time.

On holiday in London and ended up here for a concert. Super friendly staff, decent prices, delicious pizza and a really large back garden/open-air space. Concert ticket prices are fair and very much worth it. From the street it’s a typical pub front, but head through to the back, through the doors & land in the garden. Enough toilets, lots of tables and benches, and at twilight there are enough colorful lights strung among the trees to make it super atmospheric. Be aware that there are not a lot of chairs so if you have back issues like me & need to lean against something, just go back into the pub and ask for chairs. I noticed there is also a stage inside the pub so I’m assuming in winter that is where the entertainment takes place. It’s not exactly in the middle of the city so expect a few bus/tube changes. The best is to get off at Ladywell tube station & walk. If you have time & the weather is nice, please do check it out, you’ll have a great time. Bartender Syd will take care of you 😁

Great venue for music and drinking. Brilliant outdoor area with stage and bars. I would have given 5 stars, but there is no cask ale - only modern keg American-style high hopped IPAs.

Nice place . Lived in this area for ages , first time ive ben to a gig here . Would recommend

Great pub with plenty of seating and a huge garden!! The biggest in south east London apparently. The pub turns into a club at night from Wednesday to Sunday and the nights have a great range of music for everyone. Drinks are well priced and during the day they serve food too. Definitely recommend going to this venue!

Paid to go see the England game, they clearly had an event on beforehand. So we didn’t get in until 9pm as they were still trying to get all the others out, we were supposed to be allowed into the garden at 8pm. Everyone waiting inside was then kicked out the front. A women who said “she owned the pub” was grabbing and shoving people. Telling them “to get the f*ck out” basically assaulting people who have paid money to come to an event you can’t organise. Not sure if this woman actually worked there or not. But she was clearly part of the agent before the game, so the pub is liable for her behaviour.