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Capitol, Forest Hill

Please note this Pub is closed 15/10/2023 and became Closed Long Term 16/10/2023 (Closed, seeking new tenants). Wetherspoon closed this venue on Sunday 15th October 2023. Future use uncertain at this time. Lewisham Council planning application lodged DC/25/140146 June 2025 for conversion into a children's play centre.

Capitol, Forest Hill

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Operator: Wetherspoon

11-21 London Road, Forest Hill, SE23 3TW (View on Google Map)

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No email address

No website available

Outstanding pub conversion

Exterior street view. (Pub, External, Key). Published on 31-08-2013

Historical photo display in foyer. (Bar). Published on 13-10-2023

Wetherpoon unique carpet pattern for Capitol. (Bar). Published on 13-10-2023

Where the cinema screen would have been. (Bar). Published on 15-07-2023

The front entrance steps up from the old cinema foyer. (Bar). Published on 15-07-2023

View of the old cinema circle. (Bar). Published on 15-07-2023

The pub's unique carpet pattern. (Bar). Published on 22-10-2022

The bar upper level floor. (Bar). Published on 22-10-2022

The old cinema ticket office in the foyer. (Bar). Published on 22-10-2022

Close up of Upper Circle balcony adornment. (Bar). Published on 22-10-2022

Dartboards. (Pub). Published on 16-10-2022

The double dartboard oches. (Bar). Published on 16-10-2022

The upper level with old cinema circle above. (Bar). Published on 16-10-2022

Bar counter. (Bar). Published on 16-10-2022

This Pub is Closed Long Term

Placed up for sale by Wetherspoon September 2022 with 31 others.

Close to the Horniman Museum, this spacious Wetherspoon pub occupies a converted 1929 Art Deco cinema, the only surviving complete cinema building by noted architect John Stanley Beard. An impressive frontage opens into a cavernous interior on a number of levels. Tours of the circle and other normally unseen areas are offered by arrangement; resident ghosts may be in attendance.

There is assorted seating on three levels and a long bar across the former stage area which is equipped with 10 handpumps in 2 banks, each of 5.

Community events are hosted. Book ahead for parties and groups.

Unusually for a Wetherspoon house it had two well appointed darts oches, latterly just one.

Historic Interest

1929 Art Deco cinema designed by J. Stanley Beard. Last film screened: Scarecrow, ft. Gene Hackman and Al Pacino.

Information for this venue is provided by the South East London Branch of CAMRA

Previous Names
Local Authority: Lewisham
Last updated: 15/07/2025
Last surveyed: 14/07/2025
Leasehold owner: unknown
Freehold owner: Trafalgar (FH) Ltd.
Pub ID: SEL/10817
Asset of Community Value

Conversion

Close to the Horniman Museum, this spacious Wetherspoon's occupies a converted 1929 Art Deco cinema, the only surviving complete cinema building by noted architect John Stanley Beard. An impressive frontage opens into a cavernous interior on a number of levels. Tours of the circle and other normally unseen areas are offered by arrangement. There is seating on three levels and a long bar across the former stage.

General information about outstanding conversions and restorations

Opening Times Unavailable

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Current beers

This Pub serves 3 changing beers and 3 regular beers.

Regular and recently seen

Greene King - Abbot TasteMatch Prediction

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Greene King - Abbot

Premium Bitter

Dispense: Handpump

ABV: 5%

Vegan: No

Gluten Free: No

This beer is served regularly.

Greene King - Abbot Premium Bitter • 5%

Greene King - Abbot

This beer is served regularly at Capitol, Forest Hill.

ABV	5%
Dispense	Handpump
Style	Premium Bitter
Colour
Vegan	No
Gluten Free	No

Ruddles - Best Bitter TasteMatch Prediction

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Ruddles - Best Bitter

Session Bitter

Dispense: Handpump

ABV: 3.4%

Vegan: No

Gluten Free: No

This beer is served regularly.

Ruddles - Best Bitter Session Bitter • 3.4%

Ruddles - Best Bitter

This beer is served regularly at Capitol, Forest Hill.

ABV	3.4%
Dispense	Handpump
Style	Session Bitter
Colour
Vegan	No
Gluten Free	No

Sharp's - Doom Bar TasteMatch Prediction

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Sharp's - Doom Bar

Session Bitter

Dispense: Handpump

ABV: 4%

Vegan: No

Gluten Free: No

This beer is served regularly.

Sharp's - Doom Bar Session Bitter • 4%

Sharp's - Doom Bar

This beer is served regularly at Capitol, Forest Hill.

ABV	4%
Dispense	Handpump
Style	Session Bitter
Colour
Vegan	No
Gluten Free	No

Changing

Changing beers typically include: Southwark (varies) , Twickenham (varies) , Windsor & Eton (varies)

Source: National

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