The Maypole, Borden

Pork belly... �6 bottle of Cotes du Rhone... awesome village views... love it. Can't believe people go to the Beauty of Bath (rancid) when this place is just 2 mins up the road.

15 Oct 2012 20:21

The Kingdom, Kilburn

The recession in Ireland & mass emmigration has kicked life back into the Irish boozers in Kilburn which once looked in danger of becoming extinct. The Crown in Cricklewood (mentioned in McAlpine's Fusiliers) had even stopped showing GAA macthes, but like the Kingdom, is once again packed on matchdays. The Kingdom crowd is a mix of new arrivals, second generation Irish & old timers who have been here several decades. The atmosphere can be initimidating on the surface, but is very good esp when there is a big game on. There are also quite a few amusing 'characters' running about the place to keep things interesting. The only negative is the music. They have live bands, but no proper trad sessions... you feel the place would erupt if they introduced the latter.

1 Oct 2012 10:05

The Marquis of Granby, Cambridge Circus

"Popped in on Saturday to watch the national. Richie, that mad hoor from Cork that used to run the Lyric on Great Windmill Street is now the gaffer.

Not a man to be trifled with."

Agreed... some Tipp lad asked him to turn the match up as there was no sound. He pointed the remote at the screen and whilst staring at him menacingly the whole time, turned the volume from 0 to 100 (100 being the loudest). I did chuckle.

How's the Irish economy going? Can't be good... they're all in The Granby. 2 arrived fresh off the boat, suitcase in hand during the match. It's like the 70s all over again.

17 Aug 2009 16:04