Reborn in a former Argos store on Catford's busy Rushey Green, the Grand Empire reopened in December 2025 as a modern bar, restaurant and events venue in south-east London. The site has a short but eventful recent history, having traded as the Antic-run Catford Constitutional pub from late 2022 until its closure at the start of 2025 before being reinvented under its current name. The reimagined venue brings together several distinct offers under one roof, combining a modern bar and a restaurant with a dedicated grill, an events space and a rooftop shisha lounge. That mix is designed to carry it through the day and into the evening, from casual food and drinks to private functions and later-night entertainment in the heart of Catford. Sitting opposite a large Wetherspoon outlet on the opposite side of Rushey Green, the Grand Empire forms part of a cluster of food and drink venues serving the town centre. Its multi-level layout, including the open rooftop space, gives it flexibility that few neighbouring bars can match, and the kitchen and grill anchor the daytime trade. The venue's ambitions for late-night live and recorded music drew scrutiny from the local council in 2025, when a bid for extended hours was refused over questions about how the upper floors would be used. It continues to operate under its existing licence while the operators develop the site. Close to Catford and Catford Bridge stations and well served by buses, the Grand Empire is easily reached from across Lewisham and beyond. As one of the more ambitious recent additions to the area, it offers a versatile bar-and-events destination on a prominent local high street. Spread across multiple levels including its rooftop, the venue offers a scale and flexibility that few neighbouring bars in the area can match, and its operators have signalled ambitions to develop the upper floors further as the site beds in. The reinvention has been closely watched locally as a barometer of the wider regeneration along Rushey Green.

Type: Bar / Pub

Address: 108-110 Rushey Green, London, United Kingdom, SE6 4HW

Opening Date: 01/12/2025

Serves Food

Outdoor Area