Whatever Happened To

There I was packing away my shopping in Aldi the other day and, as you do, I bumped into a fella I used to know from various bars and pubs over the years. As many blokes do, the conversation got around to pubs. And in some cases it developed into a “whatever happened to” session where we talked about the pubs in Chester.

To be totally honest we did also talk a lot about our current ailments. Being old fogies and all that. As I said to (name withheld to protect the innocent), it’s strange that so many of us fellas spend so much time talking about our aches and pains when we reach a certain age.

“You’ve got arthritis where? Never”

“I can recommend a good physio”

“You can get a cream for that you know!!!”

Whatever happened to talking about footie and totty!! (Editor’s Note: I know Gill will be reading this. So, just to clarify here and now. I talk and listen about footie but only listen to any mention of the other thing I mentioned. No talking from me. No siree!! And as I say, that was then. Nowadays it’s more a case of “my operation scar is bigger than yours!!”)

Anyway, there we were talking about “whatever happened to” pubs after rolling down our trouser legs and exchanging battle scars. (NB: Nobody batted an eyelid!! Great Aldi isn’t it!!).

Whatever Happened To

How it all came about in a way was a new bar in Bridge Street was mentioned. For the life of me I can’t recall the name of it. (I know we only discussed it a couple of days ago but the age thing is kicking again it seems).

It’s a newish bar apparently where you can only buy beer upstairs (or downstairs) and only buy wine and coffee upstairs (or downstairs). Not sure which way round it is. By all accounts it is really popular. No spirits though apparently. Is that correct?

Not knowing the new bar at all and being a bit of a dinosaur it prompted me to recall “up and down” pubs from days gone by. Coincidentally two were really close to the newish bar whose name I can’t remember.

Two real good old pubs as well. Ah yes, whatever happened to Barlows and The Deva. They were what I would call “proper” pubs.

Many will remember The Deva before it changed over to…..is it called Bar Lounge? But they will only remember it being an upstairs pub on The Rows. We fossils however can remember when it was an upstairs and a downstairs.

First Memories – Whatever Happened To

It’s weird in a way how you can remember your first impressions of certain pubs but not others. I can remember my first visit to The Deva though. Still at school and funded up with a healthy 2 sovereigns (only kidding, it was a couple of ten bob notes….., no OK, it was a fiver!!!) in my pocket.

“You go to the bar”

“No, you go”

“Surely you should go….you’re the only wearing long pants” (only kidding!!)

It must have been so obvious to the bar staff that we were only 16 (and a half!!!). I seem to remember that a pint was about 15p or so. Incredible isn’t it. Blotty on less than a fiver. Mind you at 16 (and a half), blotty on 30p!!!

The thing that really stood out for me was the sight of a young man in the downstairs gents (no, no….not in that way) who had obviously had quite a bit more than 30p worth of sherbet, washing his shirt in the sink after he (or maybe someone else) had thrown up on it!!

“Wow, this is what happens on a Saturday when you become a man” I mused.

As far as I could recall there wasn’t a hand dryer either. I didn’t see him later but thinking about it, he was probably walking around with a soaked shirt with bits of toilet paper hanging off it. How cool!!!

Whatever Happened To – Barlows

What a cracking pub. I can’t remember my first visit but I do remember spending many a happy Saturday ‘early doors’ in there. A landlord by the name of Mehmet was in charge then. A top bloke who used to join the round with me, Tim (from Nickleby’s next door) and Paul the landlord from Watergates Wine Bar.

Most Saturdays for quite a while we used to put the world to rights. It was a Greenall Whitley pub if I remember rightly. I still see Mehmet knocking about here and there. As I say, a top fella.

Tim has relocated back to Liverpool and still keep in touch with him. Not sure where Paul is. All great drinking buddies.

The upstairs bit was often frequented by members and staff of the “Dutch Houses Fitness Centre” back in the 80’s and 90’s which was next door on Bridge Street Row.

So often was the request to Ian, the Dutch House’s manager, “what do you want Ian?”

“A pint of lager….and drop and give me 20!!”

Happy days indeed.

Off On A Tangent – Back To Whatever Happened To

Anyway, I’ve waffled a bit there haven’t I. The main gist of this thread is “Upstairs and Downstairs” and whatever happened to. These pubs were brilliant. I know there were other two floor pubs, but I’m recollecting those that are no longer with us.

Coincidentally I was talking to an ex-barman from The Deva yesterday. We again had a good old reminisce. It shows that in many instances how close knit the relationship was back then between customers and staff.

Many pubs had staff that stayed for years. Case in point, The Deva. The barman, Pete, worked there for years and even though he left there years ago we still keep in touch. When I rang him yesterday it wasn’t long before we were into “whatever happened to” mode as we recalled some of the old regulars. Great stuff, I really enjoyed the catch up Pete.

I’ll have to rack my brains for some more “whatever happened to” memories again. I wonder if that fella’s shirt did dry out before the end of the night?

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