THE STORY SO FAR…
Hey MUSH! Grandson Tristan here, I got a little story to tell yous…
Once upon a time Back in 2013, using all of my Nan’s furniture, ornaments, crockery & treasured heirlooms, I opened up Little Nan’s Bar on Valentines Day in a tiny windowless back room of my favourite nightclub near my home just off Deptford High Street.
I set up this bar in honour of my late Nan (known as Little Nan Jojo to many, and lived to be 103 yrs!) with a mission to spoil guests with a nostalgic homely kitsch environment where my friends and local residents could spend time with friends and family whilst meeting the amazing community of Deptford.
Back in 2013, Pubs in Deptford were closing down all around us, including the Deptford Arms (RIP) which I managed from 2007 - 2010, so we were experiencing less and less places to go out and have Fun. I wanted to change this, and open up somewhere magical, to bring the life back into Deptford, in the hope that others would do the same, and open up places too!
Originally meant to be a beer & cider led bar, Little Nan’s signature Teapot Cocktails took the imagination of our guests, and now Little Nan’s is best known for her award winning Cocktails which come served in a whole array of kitsch vessels. So by pure accident, Little Nan’s became the first ever cocktail bar in Deptford!
In July 2014 our Deptford Broadway bar and Brockley pop-up were both shut down over night due to Landlord issues.
Not giving up on my dream, the Journey begun here!
Living through wars and hardships, my Nan used to always say ‘What happens when you lose everything? You just start all over again.’
I was devastated beyond belief. But the support of our customers enabled Little Nan’s to spend the next 3 years popping up all across the capital including New Cross, Greenwich, Peckham, Dalston, Fitzrovia, Catford, Stockwell, Shoreditch, Hoxton, Brockley, Hackney, Lewisham, Forest Hill, Nunhead & a Royal Racecourse. We had so much fun and made so many good friends, we spread the love of Deptford to all those who never heard of our home town, whilst learning lots to refine what we offer you in what the bar has evolved into today.
For me and the rest of Little Nan’s Grandkids, it was all about getting back to Deptford to open up a permanent home for the bar. In September 2016, this dream came true and we moved into 2 Victorian arches within The Deptford Market Yard and spent all the money we saved up from our 3 year tour of London to give Deptford the kitsch palace she deserves. We present you Little Nan’s Deptford Bar
We are so happy to be home!
In late 2017 we took on the vacant arch next to us in Deptford Market Yard, doubling our capacity meaning we can now offer a private hire space in our 3rd Arch, which we are calling ‘Grandads Shed’, named after Tristan's Granddad John. We offer Free Private Party Hire to ALL South East London Residents for this Arch.
March 23rd 2020 came round, and it was my Birthday, and the First Day of the Lockdowns! The first lockdown saw us do what we could to survive, we delivered Locktails to locals doors, and offered Takeaways from the bar, it was a Crazy time for everyone! Then January 2021 came and it was the Long Lockdown where bars were not allowed to offer takeaways or anything, so myself and some of the Little Nan’s Grandkids moved to Weymouth and spent the whole of the Lockdown decorating Little Nan's Holiday Home, which was finished by the time the bars were able to open back up in April 2021!
In March 2024 we got the Keys to our 2nd Deptford Home, Little Nan's 2.0. So why 2 homes you say? Well, firstly, back in October 2021 our Landlords in Deptford Market Yard appointed new property managers who just didn’t get the Deptford vibe that we Love so much, and we just couldn’t work with them anymore, whilst they tried to make DMYard another carbon copy of other generic London places. Deptford is unique! She’s Special!
Secondly, we saw that Eastenders and Corrie both built new and bigger and better homes, so we got well Jel, and wanted to do the same. In May 2024 we launched Little Nan’s 2.0, Aunties Ballroom, Flat Butcher and Pat’s Boudoir.
The idea was that we were going to leave the Deptford Market Yard in September 2024, but then, 3 days before we closed up for good in Deptford Market Yard, the Landlords sacked the property managers and asked us to stay! So Much Drama! So here we are… We got 2 Deptford Homes which are opposite each other, and Both Lots of Fun, and we Love Deptford so so much!
Within our 2 Deptford Homes, we now have NINE spaces for yous, which are suitable for all sizes, small table groups, to Large Parties and everything in-between.
We continue to spoil ALL SE London Locals with FREE Private Hires, which is also extended to those who used to live SE London too, and have visited us over the years!
We are great for all Celebrations and Events, perfect for Birthdays, Hens, Stags, Weddings, Gigs, DJs, Comedy, Cabaret, Theatre, Poetry and classes.
All of our Cocktails are named after our loyal regulars, such as Lady Council Princess & Queen Ciara of Tipperary, plus my Nan’s favourite celebrities including Queen Cilla Black & Lord Roy Walker along with her fav soap stars, including Queen Pat Butcher and Lady Bet Lynch. We serve Cocktails just how Little Nan would like to drink them, STRONG, and topped with nostalgic Sweeties. We currently have over 100 cocktails to choose from in the menus which are actually hand written by me (and not an 8 year old child as some have asked!) Also, when it’s your Birthday let us know as Little Nan names a cocktail in your honour.
We don’t just sell Cocktails you know, we also have 12 Taps for the beers, and a whole selection of your favourite tipples.
Walk in’s are Totes okay everyday, and Both Homes have large outside areas too! We also spoil yous with Afternoon Tea’s, Boozy Brunches, PIZZA’S, Buffets and BBQs!
We literally could not have done all this without the support that you have all given us over the past 12 years. We owe everything to you all, and we love our guests and everyone who has been here over the past 12 years so very much.
Thank You!!!!!!
See yous soon
Grandson Tristan & Little Nan’s Grandchildren xxxxx
And we picked up a few awards along the way.…………….
-The Best of the City - TimeOut 2024
-Community Champion - Groundswell Lewisham - 2024
-EUROPES Most OTT Air BnB (Little Nan's Holiday Home) - Daily Mail - 2024
-Best Quirky London Bars & Pubs in London - TimeOut 2024
-Weymouths Best Kept Secret (Little Nan's Holiday Home) - Dorset Echo - 2024
-UKS MOST OTT AIRBNB (Little Nan’s Holiday Home) - The Sunday Times - 2023
-BEST Bars in London - Dusk.app - September 2023
-Pub of the Week - News Shopper - June 2023
-Best Pornstar Martinis in London (The Pornstar Nan) - Design my Night 2022
-Best Quirky London Bars & Pubs - TimeOut 2020
-Best Dog Friendly Afternoon Tea’s in London - The Dog Vine - 2019
-Best Kitsch Bars in London - Design my Night - 2019
-The Coolest and Most Quirky Bars in London - Secret London 2019
-Best Bars in London - Time Out - July 2019
-Best Bars in the UK - Grazia - 2019
-Top Incredible Cocktail Bar in England - Heat Magazine - 2019
-Best London Bars for Easter - River Island - 2019
-Greatest Bar in a Railway Arch - Londonist - 2019
- Best London Boozy brunches - glamour magazine -2019
-UK’s Quirkiest Afternoon Tea - Heat Magazine - 2018
-Bar of the Month - The Weekender - November 2018
-Most Loved Local Club or party - Time Out Love London Awards 2018
-Most Loved Local Bar or pub - Time Out Love London Awards 2018
-Most Loved Local Late-night spot - Time Out Love London Awards 2018
-Favourite Bar - as voted by the guests at Cocktails in the City - 2018
-Best Boozy Brunch in London - TimeOut 2018
-Best Quirky London Bars & Pubs - TimeOut 2018
-Best Quirky Cocktail Bars in London - Design my Night - 2018
-London’s Quirkiest Afternoon Tea - Heat Magazine 2018
-London’s Best Bucket List Bars - Design my Night 2018
-The ‘Time Out Recommended Bar’ Prize - 2018
-Best Christmas Afternoon Tea - Londonist 2017
-111 London Pubs & Bars that you shouldn't miss - Emons 2017
-Best Slushy Cocktail in London - TimeOut 2017
-Best Afternoon Teas in London - The Daily Mirror 2017
-Bar of the Month - Easy Jet Magazine 2017
-Bar of the Month - Euro Star Magazine 2017
-Best Afternoon Tea in UK - Sunday Telegraph 2017
-Best Afternoon Tea in UK - Stylist Magazine 2017
-Best Afternoon Tea in UK - Business Insider 2017
-Best Afternoon Tea in UK - Dog Friendly 2017
-Best Quirky Afternoon Tea in London - TimeOut
-Best Bar in London - BooHoo - 2017
-Best Afternoon Tea in London - Design My Night - 2017
-Voted Best Bar in the TimeOut London loves Local Awards 2016
-Best Bar in London - Conde Nast Traveller - 2016
-Top 10 Best Bars in London - The Guardian 2016
-Best New Bar in London - TimeOut 2016
-Best Place to Drink in London - Dot London Awards 2016
-The Culture Trip's London Local Favourite Award 2016
-Best Pop up Bar - Harpers Bazaar 2015
-Voted Best Bar in the TimeOut London loves Local Awards 2014!
-Voted Best Bar & Best New 2014 & 2015 Business by 'Vintage Guide to London'
-Awarded in the 'TOP 5 Cosy Bars in London 2013' - Visitlondon.com -
-Awarded in the 'TOP 5 Bars 'That make Kitsch Cool' - Buzzed.com -
-Awarded in the 'TOP 5 London Bars - ChilliSauce 2014
***** FIVE STAR reviews from: TimeOut, ViewLondon.com, BarChick, Great Little Place, The Wharf newspaper, Worlds BEST Bars.