First things first. Is that Big Ron ? LifeAfterFootball will know.
You left us in the Alex. The Lantern, the sister pub (of course !) was next door. Some CAMRA branches would have called for a taxi. We only vacated the Alex as we’d solved the B****t debate.
We entered to the sound of Sinatra, which even Charles recognised.
Like nearly every other building in central Halifax, the Lantern is a music venue, running from the cutting-edge American of Tiffany (book now !),
to a DJ set from Idles.
No doubt Idles will have a set chock-a-block full of bangers from Martika, Belinda C and Betty Boo. We can dream.
There’s a pleasing mix of proper seating and high tables,
and some beers you’ve heard of too.
I went straight for the Bristol , Charles humiliated me by asking for tasters of Cwrw Ial.
“Uggggh”
He wasn’t joking. It was foul, dunno why. Odd that, as the Optimist was superb (NBSS 3.5), as was the Breakfast Stout we succumbed to later.
The strains of Louis Armstrong signalled the arrival of Chris Dyson, and things went a bit hazy after that (not murky, hazy). All I’ll say is, Chris is great company.
I recall a daschund, and I distinctly remember the door to the Gents playing the opening bars to “Three Little Birds” when you opened it. Really, Chris and Charles both went and checked.
If the Lantern was in Cambridge, it would be the Blue Moon, it’s that good.
Anyway, time for some trad.
retiredmartin 
Time for some trad. – ah, yes, the Wards’s vultures circling over Platt’s Sowerby Bridge Brewery in 1935.
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Trying to predict the ending of this night out. Pretty sure there will be a curry involved. Guess from the strengths of the beers Charles is drinking that you end up pushing him back to the digs in a purloined shopping trolley.
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Oh, you’re good at this. #Spoiler. Sadly, the hill was steep for a shopping trolley so we had to use a giant catapult purloined from the Big 6.
Have you done these one, Duncan ? I guess so. Inevitably we’ll all be back in the Autumn for more.
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No because the Alexandra was closed for a week when I went (before Leeds game) so changed plan, leaving also the Wainhouse place. I really like Halifax- you captured the majesty of the restored Piece Hall very well. Didn’t warm to the Square Chapel but would give my drinking arm for that beer choice anywhere in Renfrewshire.
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I can understand yours and Si’s views on the SQ, not really a replacement for the 3 Pigeons; can’t imagine a session on those beers BEFORE the film, though they were impressive.
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Indeed. I (and I suspect Si) would need a catheter fitted before buying a ticket.
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😱
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“I recall a dachshund”. Yes, I’ve had nights like that.
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– a variation of a 1976 Don Williams song popular with P P-T ?
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I think Idles spin Sophie B Hawkins and Lisa Loeb in their DJ sets.
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I Miss Lisa.
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It’s not Big Ron, it’s Les McQueen, lead guitarist of Creme Brulee.
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Was that the forerunner of the Bay City Rollers ? Dick & Dave will know.
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You’re a genius AP. Sure is:
https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=wT5LxBns&id=4075D0DF582E2649378BB67294937E9178979CC3&thid=OIP.wT5LxBnsjb4RJQyEmuxV6QHaE8&mediaurl=https%3a%2f%2fi2-prod.mirror.co.uk%2fincoming%2farticle6863780.ece%2fALTERNATES%2fs615b%2fLes-McQueen.jpg&exph=410&expw=615&q=les+mqueen&simid=608016970792504236&selectedIndex=0&ajaxhist=0
Not Vivienne Westwood, then….
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