London pubs
One of the services now available from the initative noted in the post below is a fully searchable database of stories from the Times since 1785, all nicely scanned in so you can actually see what they look like.One article that caught my eye was "Haunts I like", by Charles Elliot, written in March 1969, and a guide to London pubs. These are his favourites - you'll note tht all are still with us today (and by and large in the same form). Cheering to your traditionalists though I suspect this sample is somewhat biased by Elliot's preference for 'smaller, more cosy house'.
Red Lion, Crown Court [now Crown passage, I think], St James - He says: "certainly sometimes necessary to squeeze your way in but it is worth it if you are near Pall Mall or St.James Street".
Coach & Horses, Wellington Street, Covent Garden - He says: "very handy for market or theatres".
Fox and Hounds, Passmore Street, SW1 - He says: "One of the last surviving examples in this part of London of what must have once been typical 100 years ago or more - a one-bar house at the corner of a street of small terraced houses".
Uxbridge Arms, Uxbridge Street, Notting Hill - He says: "Manages to be one of the pleasanter houses to visit without aiming at the chi-chi some in that area provide".
Feathers, Linhope Street, NW1 - He says: "Not even on a street corner, but halfway down a side street. Handy for Baker Street or Marylebone".
Elephant and Castle, Holland Street, W8 - He says: "perhaps more fashionable than some. But a haunt worth knowing".
Star and Garter, Poland Street, W1 - He says: "Full of office workers and snacks at one o'clock, but the type of small, old-fashioned house where one feels welcome".
Dolphin, Red Lion Street, WC1 - He says: "Noting pretentious, but a friendly welcome and good drop of beer and much more convivial regulars than most in the Holborn area".
Seven Stars, Carey Street - He says: "Perhaps too well known for a reminder to be necessary but quite a few drinkers who lack Fleet Street or Law Courts contacts have not heard of it and are glad of an introduction"
posted by Matthew @ 7/09/2006 12:53:00 PM
Comments: 0
