Brixton venue The Dogstar taken over by squatters days after closure

Legendary Brixton pub and music venue The Dogstar closed its doors permanently on October 30 after decades on the corner of Atlantic Road and Coldharbour Lane.

News came after its operator, Antic London, went into administration in July and could not find a new buyer for the South London hotspot.

According to Brixton Buzz, squatters moved in just days after its closure, placing a sign in the window that reads: “We occupy this property and at all times there is at least one person at location. Any entry or attempt into these premises without our permission is therefore a criminal offence."

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According to those squatting the space, they can only be removed with a county court order.

In the wake of its closure, The Dogstar has been called an “irreplaceable part of Brixton’s culture” by local news outlet Best of Brixton. Originally named The Atlantic, the venue was once called “Brixton’s most visible Black pub” and was at the epicentre of the Brixton riots in 1981.

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After it was forced to close in 1994, The Dogstar reopened that same year under a new name, having been bought by the Antic London pub chain. This was seen as a sign of gentrification and growing inequality amongst locals, and the pub was then targeted during the 1995 Brixton riots.

During the following years, The Dogstar gained a reputation as one of the UK’s first DJ bars, hosting regular drum 'n' bass nights with Jerry Dammers, and sets from the likes of Mike Skinner from The Streets and Fabio and Grooverider.

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The four-floored building contained a restaurant, four large dancefloors and five bars.

The Dogstar’s closure marks another loss for London’s nightlife community, with recent closures across the dance music scene including Tiger Tiger in October, and MOKO in September.

(Via Brixton Buzz and The Metro)

Meena Sears is Mixmag's Digital Intern, follow her on Instagram