Hidden down Resolution Way in Deptford, underneath one of the railway arches, is Little Nan’s Bar 2.0. Unlike its original location, which is a few hundred yards away, there’s no large neon sign out front, only two luridly decoupaged unhinged doors that display 2.0’s cocktail menu. The muffled sound of power tools and soul music issues from inside, as Little Nan’s 2.0 will only be fully operational from the middle of September.
The unassuming exterior belies the fabulous extravagance of the new bar’s interior. Step inside and you will be greeted by a dizzying array of oddities, from neon signs to Perspex cases filled with vintage toys and knick-knacks. Classic British TV show icons, such as the cast from “Only Fools and Horses“, are displayed on the tables and the cocktails are named after celebrities from the ‘80s and ‘90s, such as Lionel Richie and Scary Spice. Plastic vines cover the walls and ceiling.
The new venue is the culmination of 11 years of hard work by owner Tristan Scutt, 42, who began the project as a memorial to his grandmother, or nan, Josephine, who passed away in 2010.
“In 2013, I was running club nights in Bunker Club, and they had had a back room and I thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be quite nice just for three months to do a pop up in honour of my nan?’,” says Tristan.
Nan was a colourful personality and had “a whole lot of stuff”. Using all her possessions as decorations was the original inspiration for what Tristan describes as the “OTT” (over-the-top) look and feel of the original Little Nan’s.
“Wouldn’t it be quite nice just for three months to do a pop up in honour of my nan?”
“My nan was amazing,” he says. “She loved leopard print, and her British TV… I have so many memories of watching TV with my nan, loving Cilla Black, ‘Eastenders‘, Mr Motivator, ‘Blind Date‘.”
“My nan used to love to cook – especially cakes – this is what we do daily now with our afternoon teas, all made using her secret family recipes. Also, our signature hot mulled apple juice is made using her recipes,” Tristan adds.
The same spirit has been passed onto Little Nan’s 2.0, although the decorating has moved away from her actual possessions towards dedicated market trips. “I take it seriously,” says Tristan. “I’m not just popping in. I’m getting up early and going to shop all day and sorting through stuff. I just love it.”
Tristan recalls how the bar has really grown up along with the neighbourhood. When he looks back on his time studying a master’s in fine art at Goldsmiths, there was “nothing around” but “now, it’s so different”. This has led to new people joining the community along with those that have been in Deptford their whole lives.
Little Nan’s 2.0 has positioned itself as a community hub. “Everyone’s welcome,” says Tristan. “No one’s out of place.”
With such an array of sights to take in and furniture that invites strangers to sit together around low tables, while sipping on a cocktail, it’s no wonder that Little Nan’s 2.0 has proven popular with the solo-bookings crowd.
“No one’s out of place”
“We actually do get quite a lot of people booking solo, especially for our afternoon teas,” says Tristan. “I suppose it comes down to if you want to go to a venue and you want to take photos and have a proper look at somewhere.”
And there is plenty to look at in the new location, with half of it dedicated to the bar and “sitting room” area, the other half to a venue-for-hire named Auntie’s Ballroom, which is free to hire for Deptford residents. Ultimately, though, Little Nan’s 2.0 is a place “for people to remember their own loved ones” in the same way that Tristan remembers his nan.
Learn more about Little Nan’s Bar here.
If you enjoyed Little Nan’s Bar, you might also enjoy God’s Own Junkyard.
Want to join in?
Come along with Odd One Out for a truly special afternoon tea at Little Nan’s 2.0. Visit our Membership Page to sign up.