New pop-up in North London

A disused North London pub is to reopen once a month as a pop-up comedy and cabaret venue. 

Promoter Martin Besserman – who runs the Monkey Business comedy club – is to take over The Old Dairy on Crouch Hill for at least three shows this autumn.

The Grade II listed pub has had a chequered recent history. It closed during lockdown when it was taken over by squatters, who are said to have damaged the historic interiors. But owners Greene King reopened it in 2023 after a six-figure refit – before closing it again earlier this year. 

Besserman posted on Facebook: ‘‘The Dairy has been closed for the past few weeks, so we’re thrilled to be bringing this fantastic space back to life with a series of one-off pop-up nights. We’ll be bringing you a series of exciting Saturday night pop-up comedy and cabaret shows, with fabulous performers, great entertainment, food and a fully stocked bar.’

The first events will take place on October 31, November 28 and December 12 but no line-ups have yet been announced.

The pub’s name comes from the time when it was a shop and creamery for the Friern Manor Dairy Farm Company. When built in 1890, it had stables and cowsheds, while the outside wall has large panels depicting all stages of the milk production process, from cows grazing to the finished product being delivered. 

The building remained a dairy until the late 1960s before being bought by Regent Inns in 1997 and transformed into a pub, later sold to Real Pubs and then Greene King in 2011.

Published: 17 Sep 2026