retiredmartin

September 2023. Hoxton.

A pub and music double in London in the last glimmer of Summer; hard to beat. Just like teenage dreams.

In truth, two pints was plenty pre-gig, despite the lure of Hackney, so I just gaped in awe at the glories on the way from Tower Hill to Old Street and hoped the photos came out.

On to Hoxton. Not sure I know exactly what a Hoxton is, in relation to Shoreditch, but Old Street remains a landmark most notable for permanent building works that confuse you so much you head the wrong way and end up in the Spoons rather than your gig venue.

Blimey, aren’t the buildings tall these days ?

Ah, that’s more manageable.

Isn’t there a Mikkeller bar round here. Must make sure I don’t end there by mistake (again).

Despite having (at a guess) two hours before Alix Page would take the stage at Colours I resisted the gentle call of the Three Crowns (above, Landlord) and the Prince Arthur (below, Sheps),

and had apparently arrived at least 38 years too late for the Hop Pole.

English: Hoxton: The former Hop Pole public house This former Truman Hanbury Buxton outlet is in Pitfield Street at its junction with Coronet Street. A specialist website listing closed pubs in London describes it as having been closed before 1985 and lying derelict since, which is remarkable when its external condition is considered. Were it not for the estate agents’ signs, you would think it was up and running. Address: 32 Pitfield Street.

Say, Pitfield rings a bell. Haven’t been to the Wenlock Arms in a quarter century.

No-one else in the queue forming alongside Hoxton Square would have had any interest in Trumans, or Pitfields, or Sheps, or perhaps even been legally able to drink.

Faced with the daunting prospect of picking a beer from the Colours bar menu , I resorted to Twitter.

The results would turn out to be less than encouraging….