A quaint pub in Camberwell has become a tourist attraction for Florence + The Machine fans across the globe.
The Joiners Arms has become quite the iconic landmark for Florence Welch fans, which all started when Florence + The Machine released the album High As Hope in 2018.
They referenced The Joiners Arms in their song South London Forever, and General Manager Gary Phibbs discussed the wave of interest that has befallen on the Camberwell boozer.
Phibbs said: “I took over the pub six months before she played at The Joiners, her people reached out to us, and she launched her song South London Forever here, and she performed it in our back room.”
From then on, the pub became renowned as Florence Welch’s old local and a meeting spot for fans.
One fan spoken to travelled all the way from New Orleans, and another fan said she makes sure her and other fans meet up there twice a year.
Located on Denmark Hill, close to King’s College Hospital, the pub is known for its open mic nights every Thursday which students from The University of Arts London frequently perform at.
Phibbs said he has seen some unbelievable talent on par with Florence.
Along with the open mic night, the pub manager said: “We have had fans organise Florence + The Machine-themed quizzes, and we have had bookings of fans who have come just because of Florence.
“We get sent gifts and books to give to Florence – not that we can do that!”
The Irish pub manager said it was mainly international fans that make most of the Florence-inspired bookings.
Bethany Pickard, 27, from New Orleans, made the monumental 11-hour trip from her hometown to Boston and then a flight to London, to drink in The Joiners.
Bethany said: “The first time I went to The Joiners was when I was on a study abroad and I went alone because I just wanted to see it.
“She did her performance there, and I was literally flying there so I went there a few days later and there was graffiti on the wall that said ‘I love Florence’, so I wanted to see that.”
The 27-year-old vintage fashion seller said: “It’s a good meeting point for Florence fans, it makes sense.
“Fans go there after her concerts and it feels nice.”
Both Bethany and Gary commented on the patio in the back being a common place for the fans to meet.
Equally, the back room is where the fans like to book, as it’s where Florence performed her ode to south London.
After speaking to Bethany and another fan, Jess Clark from south London, they spoke about the pub being a classic old man’s pub.
Jess, 22, said: “I sit there with these random old men that know nothing about what it means to half the people visiting, and then all of these Florence fans come in, and the men don’t have a clue!
“Going to The Joiners Arms is a collective experience, and there is nothing better than sitting on the patio in the sun and catching up with Florence fans that you haven’t seen in months.”
This small pub in Camberwell has become a haven for Florence + The Machine fans and art school students aspiring to grasp an element of Florence’s life after once being a Camberwell girl herself.
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