The Hand and Shears, Barbican

Terrific old corner pub tucked away from the thronging masses around Smithfield. Don't tell everyone, but it's probably the only pub in the area you can find a bit of elbow on a Friday night. A friendly place with a lovely, scruffy ambience. The punters in the private bar seem to be part of the fixtures and fittings.

25 May 2011 08:50

The Intrepid Fox, Soho

Back in the late 80's when I wore black alot and my hair was spikey, a gang of us frequented the Fox for the odd snakebite or four and to rub shoulders with like-minded punters. Back then it was already a legend. The original Marquee rock club used to just along the road at 90 Wardour Street, and many now-legendary rock stars enjoyed a few pints in the Fox in-between sets at the club. It was in this very boozer that Mick Jagger and Rod Stewart very nearly came to blows over Keith Richards defection from the Faces to the Stones. Not only is this an old pub, it is part of London's Rock history. The Marquee was demolished to make way for "much needed" luxury apartments and now the Intrepid Fox is to suffer the same fate.
I am writing this in Wardour Street, opposite the pub which is now boarded up and empty! It's a disaster.

22 Sep 2006 11:04