The Pyrotechnist's Arms — Restaurant in London

🚇 Nunhead 🍺 £4.70 Pravha

The Pyrotechnist's Arms known locally as The ‘Pyro’ is located on the corner of Nunhead Green in Nunhead, Southeast London. The nearest station in Nunhead mainline.

This pub was built in 1874, the unusual name is derived from one time patrons from a nearby fireworks factory.

This is a good sized one bar pub that in the main is traditionally decorated. It would seem that most of the original 1930’s decor which the pub was famed for has been ripped out or painted over. At the centre of the pub is a full island servery which is clad in wood panelling and has a simple counter. The walls and ceiling are painted a variety of blues with panelling below. There is plenty seating throughout including stools around the bar. There is a pool table plus a few Tv screens dotted about.

The beer selection is line up of familiar keg favourites. I decided on a Pravha, my pint was good, price point was great at under a fiver. There was no food being served.

I arrived around 2pm on a sunny Saturday afternoon in July. The pub was quiet with a few punters sat outside and a couple playing pool. The atmosphere was calm and relaxed, so settling in was easy. I had a long chat with the Guv’nor who seemed to be a bit stressed out. He mentioned that he had ploughed a lot of money into the pub and that things weren’t great. I felt really sorry for him, as he looked like a broken man.

I learned yesterday that this pub closed in January and Stonegate Pubs are now looking for a new tenant. Unfortunately, this has become a common scenario, rising costs, lower footfall and punters watching the pennies means that the pub game, as always is a tough gig. Such a shame to hear about this closure, hopefully this pub reopens it doors soon.

📅 27th July 2024

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Such a genuinely uncomfortable and unwelcoming experience. Me and my sister have been in here a couple of times & staff have been nothing but friendly up until last night. Came in last night & ordered two no alcohol peronis, an older looking barmaid who I hadn’t met before proceeded to serve me and my sister two normal peronis. I didn’t want to say anything because she seemed to be in a mood from the get go, so my sister had both as I don’t drink. Later on I went inside to get a coke and some hot water - I had a sore throat and explained I had a chamomile tea bag with me. The barmaid looked at me and said she wasn’t going to give it to me because ‘it could be used as a weapon’ obviously I’m extremely confused by this- I’m a 22 year old woman & probably the most unthreatening person you’ve ever seen, I repeat it’s just for a tea. She mutters something about my appearance then slams the coke down infront of me. I go outside extremely confused as to what I could’ve done to upset her, she comes out and proceeds to scream at two male customers about coming outside while me and my sister are sat outside. She then slams both the doors to the front of the pub. Such weird behaviour- if this kind of attitude towards customers is accepted by owner’s & management I have no idea how they’ll ever stay...

A trip to the Pyrotechnist's arms. Apt on bonfire night.

This pub has had a recent makeover and has changed significantly both inside and out. Rather than giving the appearance of Guy Fawkes and co's hideout/scheming hut it now has more of a feel of the sort of place they would be targeting with a modern day gunpowder plot.

This did not put me off. Neither did the £5.50 Guinness, friendly staff, or warm, welcoming hue emitting from the carefully placed lighting post refurb.

Recommend this as a good pub option in Nunhead - Old Nunshead and Old man of Kent are likely to be busier on any given day, why not give this one a...