‘Unsustainable’: Much-loved local pub The Gun announces immediate closure

Last orders: The Gun closed for good on 16 march. Photograph: Graham Turner

Popular Hackney pub The Gun has closed with immediate effect, its landlords have announced.

The venue, which was a favourite amongst music-loving locals, shut up shop yesterday after nearly 11 years on Well Street.

Landlords Nick Stephens and Hanna Sinclair-Stephens pointed to the increasing costs of running a hospitality business in the current economy.

The pair’s other pub, The Compton Arms in Islington, continues to trade under the ‘Locals Club’ banner.

The Gun’s Victorian features were restored ahead of its 2014 opening. Photograph: Graham Turner

Stephens said: “The Gun has faced many challenges over the years, and despite our very best efforts it has become unsustainable to continue trading.

“Locals Club would like to extend our warmest thanks to our loyal staff, locals and the many DJs who helped create such a special community at the pub.

“We hope the future brings an opportunity for Locals Club to create another music-led pub in another location.

“For now, we’ll be focusing on our thriving Islington pub, The Compton Arms.”

Stephens, Sinclair-Stephens and Oliver Dixon opened The Gun in June 2014 after a renovation that saw many of the building’s original Victorian features restored.

The pub narrowly avoided closure during the pandemic.

A crowd-funding campaign, which raised over £30,000 in just one day, helped secure its future.

In 2021, The Gun released a compilation album to once again help it stay open and also to support local charity, Hackney Quest.

Roisin Murphy, Ride’s Andy Bell, Nitzer Ebb and many others contributed to the 14-track record.

Despite its small, 90-person capacity, the pub’s programme of DJ-led events helped establish it as one of London’s best underground music venues.

Over the course of 11 years, some of electronic music’s most celebrated DJs and producers played there. These include Vladimir Ivkovic, Lena Willikens, Optimo, David Holmes, Daniel Avery, Ivan Smagghe, Manfredas, Marie Davidson, Decius, and many more.

The Gun also played host to several kitchen residencies over the years, including Ling Ling’s, who has built a loyal following.

Ling Ling’s was once rated Time Out’s ‘best Sunday roast in London’.