The White Bear’s design is layered. Known not only as a local pub but also as a creative landmark, its upstairs theatre has played a key role in London’s fringe performance scene for decades, giving the building a cultural depth that reaches beyond the bar. That spirit of craft and expression became a guiding influence throughout the design.

Original features were carefully retained and celebrated. The hand-carved timber bar and intimate snug ground the space in its past, while new interventions lift and clarify the experience. Upstairs, the theatre continues to add energy and purpose. Outside, the garden has been transformed into a calm, almost otherworldly dining space textured with natural materials, softened lighting, and a restrained, earthy palette that offers respite from the city beyond.

Design details are intentionally eclectic. Artwork, vintage objects, and colour are curated to reflect both history and the diversity of the local community. Sustainability has also played an active role, from locally sourced materials to the reactivation of the garden’s beehives which quietly reinforce a connection to place and care for the future.

The result is a historic pub that feels deeply rooted yet forward-looking. A place where heritage isn’t preserved behind glass, but lived in earning its recognition as a finalist in the Restaurant & Bar Design Awards, and its place in Kennington’s daily life once again.