I've just been looking at the comments on the tune “Kelly's Cellars” where it was said that that pub is the oldest in Belfast and has been going for 200 years or more. It occurs to me that there must be other pubs that have been in continuous use for at least that length of time. Any nominations for such other old pubs? The only stipulation I'd make is that the nominated pub is, or has been within living memory, used for sessions.
To kick off the discussion, close by the harbour in Bristol there is The Naval Volunteer pub (in King Street, just opposite the Theatre Royal), where there is a weekly English session that I go to. Within, there is a brass plaque on the floor which says that the pub was established in 1673. The pub was originally called The Royal Navy Volunteer, but the (in)famous Bristol lambdacism evidently changed "Navy" to "Naval" over the years. It is said that men innocently going into that establishment in years gone by to quench their thirst were in danger of being pressed-ganged into the nearest Royal Navy warship in the harbour. I've heard that there's some doubt whether that law has ever been rescinded, so even today, it would behove a careful drinker to make sure the Queen's Shilling isn't lurking at the bottom of his glass
Savage, that's exactly how a real old pub should look like today, both outside and inside. Unfortunately, the Volunteer in Bristol was at the receiving end of a commercially-led make-over not long ago (money talks), and although some effort has been made to give at least the impression of an opulent 18th century interior, it no longer has the atmosphere of real age.
The acoustics are quite good, though, and the management carefully places the session by the windows at the front so that we can be seen by passers-by, who may wander in to buy a drink and listen (or not, as the case may be). We are very grateful that the management sought us out and invited us in, when we were desperately looking for a new venue a few months ago.
They say the press gang was only interested in skilled seamen, there was no shortage of unskilled men (from the gaols etc,) so so long as you don't have a tarry pigtail and avoid saying things like "Avast behind," you should be safe.
Another very old pub (14th century) I go to for a (closed) fiddle workshop session once a month is The Black Horse at Clapton in Gordano, Somerset. Mediaeval structures are still very much in place. See its website here for more information: http://www.thekicker.co.uk/history.htm
Grace Neill's Bar in Donaghadee www.graceneills.com There have been sessions within living memory ie 30 years ago but there haven't been any for many years.
"Savage, that's exactly how a real old pub should look like today"
Yeah lazyhound, I couldnt agree more. It did recieve a makeover a couple of years ago. Up until then it still used oil lamps and candles for light but health and safety wanted electricity. the put in those lights that look like candles flickering. Kept the atmosphere the same.
Old session pubs
Old session pubs
I've just been looking at the comments on the tune “Kelly's Cellars” where it was said that that pub is the oldest in Belfast and has been going for 200 years or more. It occurs to me that there must be other pubs that have been in continuous use for at least that length of time. Any nominations for such other old pubs? The only stipulation I'd make is that the nominated pub is, or has been within living memory, used for sessions.
To kick off the discussion, close by the harbour in Bristol there is The Naval Volunteer pub (in King Street, just opposite the Theatre Royal), where there is a weekly English session that I go to. Within, there is a brass plaque on the floor which says that the pub was established in 1673. The pub was originally called The Royal Navy Volunteer, but the (in)famous Bristol lambdacism evidently changed "Navy" to "Naval" over the years. It is said that men innocently going into that establishment in years gone by to quench their thirst were in danger of being pressed-ganged into the nearest Royal Navy warship in the harbour. I've heard that there's some doubt whether that law has ever been rescinded, so even today, it would behove a careful drinker to make sure the Queen's Shilling isn't lurking at the bottom of his glass
# Posted on January 13th 2008 by lazyhound
Re: Old session pubs
The Naval Volunteer is the oldest pub I've ever been in (and a damn nice one at that!).
# Posted on January 13th 2008 by mehitabel23
Re: Old session pubs
Check out the pub and room where our local session is.
http://www.perfect-edge.co.uk/projects/the_thatch.html
I dont know the exact year myself, but its over 400 years old.
# Posted on January 13th 2008 by session savage
Re: Old session pubs
Whites Tavern, another "oldest" pub in Belfast.
# Posted on January 13th 2008 by bodhran bliss
Re: Old session pubs
Savage, that's exactly how a real old pub should look like today, both outside and inside. Unfortunately, the Volunteer in Bristol was at the receiving end of a commercially-led make-over not long ago (money talks), and although some effort has been made to give at least the impression of an opulent 18th century interior, it no longer has the atmosphere of real age.
The acoustics are quite good, though, and the management carefully places the session by the windows at the front so that we can be seen by passers-by, who may wander in to buy a drink and listen (or not, as the case may be). We are very grateful that the management sought us out and invited us in, when we were desperately looking for a new venue a few months ago.
# Posted on January 13th 2008 by lazyhound
Re: Old session pubs
I wish we had pubs like that in America...
# Posted on January 13th 2008 by Greg the Piano Tuner
Re: Old session pubs
They say the press gang was only interested in skilled seamen, there was no shortage of unskilled men (from the gaols etc,) so so long as you don't have a tarry pigtail and avoid saying things like "Avast behind," you should be safe.
# Posted on January 13th 2008 by TomB-R
Re: Old session pubs
(Mind you, saying "Avast behind" at the wrong moment could get you into trouble in quite a few places!)
# Posted on January 13th 2008 by TomB-R
Re: Old session pubs
for she has a lovely bottom,
she has a lovely bottom,
she has a lovely bottom
set of teeth.................................!?$%??//!!?#!??
# Posted on January 14th 2008 by nicholas
Re: Old session pubs
I visited this one, once:
http://www.adamandevenorwich.co.uk/history.htm
Meets the age requirement, certainly. Don't know about sessions, though.
# Posted on January 14th 2008 by Forrest Tucker
Re: Old session pubs
Another very old pub (14th century) I go to for a (closed) fiddle workshop session once a month is The Black Horse at Clapton in Gordano, Somerset. Mediaeval structures are still very much in place. See its website here for more information:
http://www.thekicker.co.uk/history.htm
# Posted on January 14th 2008 by lazyhound
Re: Old session pubs
Grace Neill's Bar in Donaghadee www.graceneills.com There have been sessions within living memory ie 30 years ago but there haven't been any for many years.
# Posted on January 14th 2008 by deeor
Re: Old session pubs
Don't know about sessions, but I've certainly had some good times at the Trip to Jerusalem in Nottingham
http://www.triptojerusalem.com/
# Posted on January 14th 2008 by Wurzel
Re: Old session pubs
The Brazen head in Dublin- est. 1198, still sessions there as far as i know, not sure, there definitely was not too long ago anyway
# Posted on January 14th 2008 by poldebrun
Re: Old session pubs
I thought the session in the Brazen Head stopped in 1202 because of the attitude of the bodhran player?
# Posted on January 14th 2008 by bodhran bliss
Re: Old session pubs
"Savage, that's exactly how a real old pub should look like today"
Yeah lazyhound, I couldnt agree more. It did recieve a makeover a couple of years ago. Up until then it still used oil lamps and candles for light but health and safety wanted electricity. the put in those lights that look like candles flickering. Kept the atmosphere the same.
I love that place.
# Posted on January 15th 2008 by session savage