Remarkable Pub Group buys The Pineapple pub in Kentish Town

Remarkable Pub Group inked the deal to buy The Pineapple in Kentish Town on October 18 - just months after snapping up The Lord Palmerston in nearby Dartmouth Park.

The Leverton Street watering hole brings the group's total number of pubs to 18.

It includes their original pub The Prince George in London Fields which they bought in 1985, The Boleyn Tavern in West Ham, and The Rosemary Branch in Islington.

Built in 1868 The Pineapple has kept its original name and the Grade II listed pub has kept much of its original fittings and motifs of pineapples above the outside windows. (Image: George Rex/Wikimedia Commons)

Remarkable Pubs founder and chairman Robert Thomas earned an award last year from the London Campaign for Real Ale for his major impact on pubs in the capital.

And The Leyton and The European in East London both won for their refurbishments at the CAMRA Pub Design Awards 2026, held in conjunction with Historic England.

Mr Thomas has previously cited "real ales, and a traditional London pub experience" among the qualities he likes to offer his punters.

He said of his latest purchase: "It is a jewel - very similar to our The Prince George in E8 which was our first pub.

"The Pineapple is a unique back street unspoilt Victorian London neighbourhood pub and we are delighted to have had the opportunity to acquire it.

"What could be more satisfying for a patron on a wintry day to waft through a curtained front door and be confronted with a fabulous ornate back bar, high ceilings, blazing fires, bags of patina and enjoy a warming bibulous afternoon together with great ales, wines and food?

"Our aim will be to continue this fabulous tradition, and, save for repairs and replacements not change a thing!"

The Pineapple dates back to 1868 when builder Philip Luzmore decided the workers who lived in the nearby streets needed somewhere to drink.

It is named after a fruit which is an historical symbol of wealth, status and hospitality, and features distinctive pineapple keystones on the stucco-fronted exterior, and pineapple motifs above the windows.

The main bar is largely original with ornate mid-Victorian mahogany, a three-bay bar-back with gilt glass panels, Corinthian capitals, and etched mirrors.

When the pub was sold by its then owner in 2001, developers bid to turn the historic gem into flats - prompting a major campaign to save it backed by broadcaster Jon Snow, actor Rufus Sewell, writer Andrew Motion, and former London mayor Ken Livingstone.

It prompted English Heritage to swiftly award the pub a Grade II listing which saved it from conversion.

In recent years it has been played host to community events, Thai food, and resident cats.

The then Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer told the Ham&High in 2020 that he was missing his favourite pub during the pandemic.

“The Pineapple is my local and it’s the best in my view,” he said

“I’m very much looking forward to being back there, at a proper community pub, and having a pint as soon as I can.”

He later told numerous media outlets that The Pineapple was his favourite pub and Sir Keir and his wife were spotted visiting in July 2022 at the leaving do of the longstanding landlords.