A Trip Down Memory Lane Part 2

frankp57By
Jan-23-2020
Memory Lane
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Well, as I said in my earlier “Trip Down Memory Lane” post I did get a bit carried away. I’m sure you will agree though that it is very much a subject that can go on and on. Much of this of course depends on age obviously. Oh, before we go any further, in case you didn’t see my original “Memory Lane” post, you can read it HERE. Anyway, are you ready for “A Trip Down Memory Lane Part 2?”

A Trip Down Memory Lane Part 2

In my last post I was taking a trip around some of the pubs and bars we have lost over the years. Pubs like the really popular and lively Barlows. However, I don’t think I got anywhere near to the end of covering some of the old pubs in Chester. I may not even do so in this post. We will see.

In no particular geographical order in terms of street names I’ll just pile right in there and reminisce.

Later on this afternoon I need to call into Primarni which reminds me of a popular pub from the 70’s and 80’s that was located close by. Anyone entering Holland & Barrett in Foregate Street just look up while you enter. In doing so you will see a sign saying “The Royal Oak“.

A really popular place back then. In particular it was fairly well recognised as a popular haunt for the army lads resident in Chester. Was it the Irish Rangers in those days? I think it was. I do know that The Royal Oak was a popular place for these lads to have a sherbet or two.

As well as our reminisce last week being about places, we also trotted out a few of the beers that we remembered that are no longer seen or swallowed for that matter. Case in point, Toby Light was sold in the aforementioned The Royal Oak.

Beers No Longer Sampled

As well as Toby Light, what about some of these. Labatts Lager, Grunhalle, Skol, Greenalls Bitter, Caffreys and Beamish. Oh, and what about Murphys, Lowenbrau Lager, Bass (oooo……through the eye of a needle!!!), Chestnut Mild, Watneys Red Barrel and Double Diamond. In my earlier post I mentioned the Scottish and Newcastle pubs – namely The Boathouse, The Talbot and The Vic. Their popular bitters were Scotch, Tartan and McEwans.

I remember vividly my first sortie into The Boathouse with my ex-brother-in-law. I was only a babby – about 16 or so……er, I mean just turned 18 m’lud!! and he was well old!!! About 5 years older than me. Elder statesman and all that. A word to the wise whispered to me before my first, nervous introduction to standing in front of a savvy, “spot a babby”, experienced member of bar staff for the first time.

“Ask for the Scotch Bitter – not the McEwans”, my streetwise brother-in-law suggested.

“Why’s that?” I asked. “Is Scotch Bitter a better drink?”

The seasoned response was, “No, Scotch is only 15p a pint – McEwan’s is more expensive”

“Is it – by how much?” I enquired.

“Fifteen and a half pence” was the answer.

So there you go. Not only the first introduction to savvy bar and pub tactics but a lesson in economics as well. Priceless.

I’ve just thought of some other beers we no longer see. Miller Lite, Castlemaine, Stones Bitter and, even though I specifically mentioned Chestnut Mild above, just Mild generally really. Any more I’ve missed?

Back To The Pubs

Continuing our trip down Memory Lane and reliving some of our pubs we have lost. Before I continue I am aware that there are websites specifically dedicated to our old pubs and very good they are as well. My particular trip down Memory Lane is more from a personal point of view. Not so much a historical trip necessarily.

Anyway, where was I? Oh I know, I was about to pop into Harveys for a snifter.

“Where? Harveys, where’s that?” quite a few will no doubt be asking. Picture the bearded, chin stroking, real ale guru pondering the various selections on offer in front of them and the look of confusion on their face. This is the image I’m picturing as those of you are thinking where or what Harvey’s was? Well, maybe not necessarily with a full beard.

So, Harveys hey. From memory, it was a short-lived bar and was found down in the base of The Grosvenor Hotel. More specifically, walk into the main front door, walk about 25 yards and there was a flight of stairs heading down into a sort of crypt type area. Welcome to Harveys.

A vivid memory from my time in Harveys was one occasion when me and a pal tried to get better acquainted with two ladies at the bar. It was fairly quiet in there so no one else for us to have a chat with. And vice versa. The ladies preferred to keep their own company as their words rang in our ears as we sloped off.

“How old? Sorry lads, go away. You’re only babbies!”

Shortly after my savvy bar and economics lesson in The Boathouse, I now had my very first humbling put down. Wow, the lessons were coming thick and fast.

Great stuff though and part of life’s rich pattern as they say. What value would a trip down Memory Lane be without the odd painful reminder?

What Other Chester Pubs Have Gone?

A quick trip across the road from The Grosvenor and walk the short distance of 50 yards or so towards the Eastgate Clock. As you leave the archway look to your left and that’s where The Kings Arms Kitchen pub used to be.

Only a small pub and one I must admit I only went into on the one occasion. So, in truth I can’t really say much about the place. If however, you are after a history of the place, have a look at this great informative article from the Chester Walls website HERE.

Now’s here another to consider in a sense while we are still in Eastgate Street. Although it hasn’t closed it has taken on a big change compared to when I first started going in there. I am referring to The Boot.

Quite a lot of people I know are not fans of the beer in either The Boot or The Falcon. It’s a brewery (Sam Smith’s) thing – not a pub specific issue. As it happens I like the beer, so not a problem.

Going back quite a fair few years (I would guess maybe early to mid 80’s) The Boot’s appearance changed massively. What we see as The Boot nowadays used to be a combination of a corridor, a hairdresser and The Boot itself.

The front part of The Boot as we now know it was Derek’s, which was a popular hairdressers at that time. Running alongside the side of Derek’s was a corridor. At the end of which there was a door on the left hand side which took you into The Boot.

As it was then is now the back room in today’s Boot.

A Trip Down Memory Lane – No Crowds Of Lads

The landlady of the time when The Boot was effectively the small back room was, how do I put it, a rather feisty lady who – to put it bluntly – didn’t take any c*ap from anyone. Not just c*rap either if I can remember. I can’t remember her actually being a fan of pleasant normal, social conversation either.

As it happens she didn’t like “crowds of lads” entering her pub. So, quite often she would stand by the door and knock back any ‘crowds of lads’. No doormen – just the rather aggressive looking and sounding landlady.

I remember one occasion me and a pal of mine entered without giving it any more thought. Just the two of us, so no problem. Or so we thought. No sooner we got in there and aforementioned landlady approached us and announced, “sorry not tonight, no crowds of lads allowed”.

“But there’s only two of us”, I replied.

“And less of your lip – out!!” was the little sweetie’s final decision.

Even today, The Boot is a bit different to other pubs. For instance, no mobile phones or swearing allowed. I have in fact already posted about this in an earlier post. You can see what I wrote HERE.

A Trip Down Memory Lane……To Be Continued

Er……I’ve noticed I’m getting carried away again. Not like me at all. getting carried away can only mean one thing. A trip down Memory Lane is to be continued. So, watch this space folks.

Chester Lifestyle Latest Blog Posts

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Places To Visit In Chester

We have plenty of top pubs and other bars you can visit in Chester. Not only pubs and bars though. There are plenty of places to visit in Chester of interest to so many people. To see some ideas, head on over to HERE.