When there’s no room at the inn, pull up at the White Horse on your way home from work or drop in for a laid back Sunday session.

The Venue
Flanked by South London’s notorious army of fried chicken shops, the White Horse is a welcome respite for the weary. It started out as an early 18th Century inn that was frequented for accommodation and stables by those travelling on Brighton Road. The Brixton Hill boozer has undergone refurbishment, but it’s still steeped in history - it’s one of the oldest pub sites in Brixton still holding on to its original name.

The purple frontage is hard to miss amongst its drab neighbours and the crowd who gather here are just as vivid. Don’t visit expecting white walls and vases of sculptured lily bouquets. The pub is anything but austere and modern. Step into the dimly lit interior and take a trip back in time to Victorian days, with a touch of shabby chic. Sink into one of the well-worn leather couches or prop up the classic wooden bar. There’s a pool table for those who enjoy activity with their pint and wooden tables and benches out the front to make the most of warmer weather. Occasional art exhibitions liven up the interior when canvases are hung around the pub so you can enjoy culture with your Chablis.

The Atmosphere
Locals from the Brixton Hill art community as well as cool kids who work in one of the many media companies based in the area converge on the White Horse any night of the week. And with no entry fee, everyone’s welcome.

The Horse can get up to galloping pace with its regular DJ nights. Avoiding the rave scene on offer in most of the other Brixton venues, funk, soul, breaks and hip hop dominate the sounds pumping from the raised DJ box that sits like Cinderella’s carriage at the centre of the dancefloor. The music wheel starts cranking on a Thursday night, warming up the crowds for Funkalicious and Keep Up DJs on Friday night, followed by the Boogie Down crew on Saturday. During the day it’s back to a trot when customers drop in for quick mid-week lunches or sidle up in their Sunday best for a long lunch with the weekend papers.

The Food
The pub is just as famous for its good-time vibe as the delicious, wallet-friendly grub on offer. There are tapas plates from £3.50 for those who want something to share with their drink. Try the breaded prawns with wasabi mayo, Thai-style fish cakes and spicy meatballs with tomato sauce.

For those wanting something more substantial to line their stomachs, mains start at £6 and include a delicious selection for all tastes. The wild mushroom risotto with basil oil and grilled rib eye steak with hand cut fries will leave you feeling satisfied, but you may find room for the chocolate mousse with berries or apple crumble with custard. Toasted ciabattas and homemade pies are available for lunch on the run and breakfast is served from midday on Saturday and Sunday.

And now we come to the roast, famed by all who frequent the White Horse for being mouthwatering and cheap. Roast dinners are served on Sunday until they run out, accompanied by live acoustic jazz music. You can call ahead to reserve a roast to make sure you don’t miss out.

The Drink
The drinks are fairly priced and the Horse’s happy hour is enough to put a smile on everyone’s face. There’s a good selection of local and imported beer and wine, with pints at the £3 mark. For an immediate after work thirst quencher, try the cocktail list. The bartenders mix a mean mojito, and the cherry on top – always with a smile. The bar staff at the White Horse are some of the friendliest you’ll come across in London.

The Last Word
The White Horse is a knight in shining armor offering great food, cheap drinks and quirky and ambient environment in which to enjoy them on the otherwise desolate Brixton Hill.

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