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Public House - A cultural and social history of the London pub
Shaped by social, aesthetic and political movements, the extraordinary story of London’s pubs tells the story of the city itself. This book celebrates the incredible diversity, design and culture of London’s public houses from opulent Victorian Gin Palaces and homely medieval Taverns to contemporary microbreweries and community-owned pubs.
Including over 120 pubs from across all 33 London boroughs, Public House traces tales of craft, architecture, music, queer activism, black history, comedy, migration, sport and heritage.
Featuring a wide range of contributors including comedian Isy Suttie, musician Bob Stanley, brewer Jaega Wise and politician Rupa Huq, the book is richly illustrated with original drawings and rare archival material, with a Foreword by Mayor of London Sadiq Khan.
Including over 120 pubs from across all 33 London boroughs, Public House traces tales of craft, architecture, music, queer activism, black history, comedy, migration, sport and heritage.
Featuring a wide range of contributors including comedian Isy Suttie, musician Bob Stanley, brewer Jaega Wise and politician Rupa Huq, the book is richly illustrated with original drawings and rare archival material, with a Foreword by Mayor of London Sadiq Khan.
- GenresHistory
216 pages, Hardcover
Published August 26, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
January 31, 2024
Visually stunning and full of brilliant vignettes of London pubs (as well as one from Essex…). Loads of serotonin rushes reading this from finding out a boozer I’ve frequented was the site of Paris Commune exile clubs, seeing numerous other pubs I love being appreciated in text, and discovering dozens of new pubs I need to find time to visit.
Particular highlights were Jonathan Moses essay on The Antwerp Arms (which used to run a great pub quiz) and Paul Flynn’s emotional tract on the City of Quebec. Most disappointing was probably Jennifer Lucy Allen’s piece (supposedly) on The Anchor and Hope in Clapton - one of my all time favourite boozers - where she barely even talks about the pub (despite its eccentric clientele, unique atmosphere and history as the site of a lesbian rom com film!). The preface by Sadiq Khan, where he seems to simply promote his own mayoral policies, was also out of place in this collection which otherwise runs through a number of revolutionary histories within its pages. However, these couple of downsides in no way can outweigh the joy I felt tearing through this collection.
Kind of full review available here.
Particular highlights were Jonathan Moses essay on The Antwerp Arms (which used to run a great pub quiz) and Paul Flynn’s emotional tract on the City of Quebec. Most disappointing was probably Jennifer Lucy Allen’s piece (supposedly) on The Anchor and Hope in Clapton - one of my all time favourite boozers - where she barely even talks about the pub (despite its eccentric clientele, unique atmosphere and history as the site of a lesbian rom com film!). The preface by Sadiq Khan, where he seems to simply promote his own mayoral policies, was also out of place in this collection which otherwise runs through a number of revolutionary histories within its pages. However, these couple of downsides in no way can outweigh the joy I felt tearing through this collection.
Kind of full review available here.
February 21, 2022
A gorgeous object, beautifully designed and with some truly astonishing picture research (eg: the Velvet Underground in Dagenham) and with some excellent essays on pubs, what makes a pub, and who it excludes and includes as well.
November 14, 2023
a really good book articling a selection of london pubs - brilliantly illustrated, featuring a lot of interesting longform pieces and engagement with the social role of the pub beyond just highlighting pubs with good architecture and beer or becoming bogged down in niche local history. another fantastic work from open city :D
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews