Britain’s first Men’s Health Pub opens its doors

On 19th February, the UK’s first men’s health pub, The Brothers’ Arms, opened its doors in South-East London, to offer a unique space that’s dedicated to the wellbeing of men in our communities. The pub, launched by Androlabs – the first global pharmaceutical company dedicated to men’s health – in partnership with The Urology Foundation, Healthy Heart Trust, and Talk Club, will aim to tackle stigma and open up conversations around men’s health in a ‘local’ and familiar setting.

The initiative is built on the premise that pubs are a place where men go to connect. This is supported by new findings, which revealed that when men are concerned about the health of a mate, the pub is the place they will most likely talk to them about it (42%) – more than a phone call (36%), text message (12%) or speaking to his partner (6%). This number rises to almost half (47%) of men aged 55-64.

Opening on Wednesday 19th February, for three weeks, the residency at Westow House in Crystal Palace, will take on some of the biggest issues facing men’s health today, including mental health, heart health and urology health. The launch saw award-winning author of Billy No Mates and self-titled Inbetween Man, Max Dickins host a live panel event with a difference, exploring what it’s really like to be a bloke in 2025. Other thought-provoking topics will include fatherhood, male-suicide prevention, and what’s behind men’s mid-life changes.

“Most men aren’t Man 1.0. But they’re not quite Man 2.0, either. They’re somewhere in-between, muddling along, doing their best,” said Max Dickins. “We explored what that’s like. Digging into the new demands – and the old sticking points. We unpacked the new freedoms – and the old insecurities. And heard from men and women alike, as we investigated what masculinity looks like in 2025.”

Currently, in the UK two in five men will die prematurely before the age of 751, many from preventable health-related causes. Research has indicated this can be a result of reluctance to seek medical help, for example due to fears of judgement, or wider lack of awareness about men’s health conditions and symptoms[ii]. For example, a survey conducted by The Urology Foundation** found that over a third of respondents would not seek medical advice from a healthcare professional for erectile dysfunction, and that for over half of those men, they would not seek medical treatment for ED due to anxiety.[iii]

Concerningly, as a result of this reluctance to seek medical advice on a range of issues, men are delaying asking for medical advice until it’s potentially too late and are avoiding regular check-ups for days (64%), weeks (31%), or even years (8%)1.

As a cornerstone of UK culture, The Brothers’ Arms pub will bring the whole community together outside of a traditional healthcare setting to share advice on how to stay healthier for longer and allow men to talk openly and honestly about their health concerns. Medical professionals will be joining the pub’s expert speakers, to myth bust, provide practical health advice and answer any questions. This will include events that demystify prostate health and testosterone levels through pub quizzes and live Q&As, as well as offering blood pressure and testosterone checks on site.

“Our research has shown that there are significant gaps in men’s understanding of their bodies, particularly when it comes to things like prostate health and urology. Better understanding of risk factors and symptoms are vital to help combat rising cancer rates, but there is a lot of information out there and it can be hard to separate myth from fact,” said Rebecca Porta, Chief Executive of The Urology Foundation. “We’re delighted to be supporting The Brothers’ Arms by providing resources and information on urology health, as well as partnering on our ‘Big Flow Quiz’ night. Events like these are an important way for our healthcare experts to reach men in places and environments where they can feel more comfortable to ask the difficult questions. We hope The Brothers’ Arms will help to empower men to take control of their health.”

“Too many men are dying too soon, and we know we can change this. We want every man, regardless of background, identity or journey to be able to access the right tools and support to prioritise their health,” said Charlie Bryant, Founder of Androlabs.

“Talking about physical or mental health can feel off-putting or overwhelming, particularly when it comes to topics like prostate health, libido or erectile dysfunction, but it doesn’t have to be. We hope The Brothers’ Arms can break down these barriers and help men take action early so they can live longer, healthier lives.”