MONTAGUE ARMS Pubs of Deptford

DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

Sort file:- Deptford, July, 2021.

Page Updated:- Monday, 19 July, 2021.

PUB LIST

PUBLIC HOUSES

Paul Skelton

Earliest ????

Montague Arms

Closed 2020

289 Queens Road

Peckham

Deptford

020 7732 6339

https://whatpub.com/montague-arms

Above photo, date unknown.

Above photo circa 2011.

Above painting or perhaps album cover, date unknown.

From the Black Eagle Journal.

J Evans, Montague Arms, died in January 1957.

William Madigan, Montague Arms, died on April 10th, 1963.

Following the very sad passing of long time managers Stan & Bet (both in their 80s) the pub closed its doors at the end of 2011. Stan and Bet had been running the pub with owner Peter Hoyle since 1967.

The pub was decked out with an eclectic bunch of curios from nautical gear to taxidermy including a stuffed zebra head looking out of an old horse drawn carriage! The Sun newspaper reviewed the pub shortly before closure: "decor like the pirate ship in The Goonies and an events calendar including The Unwrong Quiz make this one of our strangest, and best boozers."

There were signs displayed outside proclaiming 'Coaches Welcome' which always looked a little odd in this neighbourhood but the pub must have had deals with cross-channel drivers as coaches full of tourists used to call in for a drink, and sometimes food, while often being entertained by houseband The Two Petes - a blind keyboard player and a drummer who was the pub owner. They had been playing there since 1970 and in their early days they released "Live at the Montague Arms" albums. Comedians Jimmy Jones, Jim Davidson and Mike Reid all began their careers performing at this pub.

In 1989 the NME interviewed Shane MacGowan of the Pogues, Mark E Smith of the Fall and Nick Cave together in the Montague Arms: 'A bottle's throw from Millwall FC, The Montague Arms, a mock Gothic fun pub for morbid tourists, plays host to a bizarre summit meeting. Amidst stuffed horses' heads, skeletons on bicycles and mocked up corpses, three of contemporary music's most infamous individuals are gathered at the NME's request.... It all ends up like this: 'Things fall apart. The unholy trinity climb on the pubstage. MacGowan on drums, Smith on guitar and Cave on the organ. A jam of sorts ensues - The Velvets meets Hammer Horror with a hint of Acid House. Totally wired. Summit mental.'

Up until its demise the pub continued hosting numerous events including gigs by Gang of Four and Band of Holy Joy. Soon after closure the contents of the pub were auctioned off. However the pub reopened in 2014 and they have bands on again, and the new people running it are trying to carry on in the tradition of Stan and Bet as far as possible.

Above reopening advert 2014.

A report found on the internet said the following:- Good news! Heard some crazy stories about this place! Stuffed zebras.. Blind key board players.. & two 80yr olds running the show!

Then closed again in January 2018 with another bout of fears for its future, particularly as a popular live music venue and a petition ensued. Re-opened in April 2018 by Chapman & Winney, quite transformed into an airy, albeit low-lit in the evening, pub. All the street windows have been uncovered and on the left hand side is a raised area with normal height tables and chairs and a table football table - all with views on to Queens Road. On the right is an area of comfortable armchairs, low tables, an imposing Sago tree, dartboard, bar billiards table and impressive overhead fans.

This pub is currently closed and a new 15-20 year FoT lease being offered via DCL/Jenkins Law.

https://youtu.be/ddYe4wdJB_k

http://transpont.blogspot.com

LICENSEE LIST

WATKINSON Thomas 1840+

MILLER Henry to Nov/1847

BROWN Edward Nov/1847-61+ (age 56 in 1861)