-
We had been eating at the Archway Kebab Centre, one of the best places to eat turkish food, and at a really good price. After heading separate ways, I found myself without an agenda or plan of sorts, except to just go home, the sun was disappearing and a cold breeze was coming in. I also had to be on a Film Set for the next day, so I better have an early night.
-
I was heading towards the bus stop when I suddenly found myself walking into a saloon. In the corner was a large man laughing like a ball of jelly at a two piece violin and guitar country band. A man in a cowboy outfit strutted about, and was giving off friendly vibes all round. Basically, it was crowded, with the locals, old timers, and … eccentrics? I’m not sure, they might just be a bit mad. Where the hell was I? I would have gone out to take a look at the pub name, but the country dance floor was rocking and stamping, so I stayed and observed. It was like stepping into a time warp, back in the day when pubs were places where the locals got their firewater after a hard days work, and where country and shanty music blared through the windows. Actually, there was a scruffy guy staring into the windows from outside the street, observing the festivities, he looked like he just came out of a Charles Dickens novel.
-
-
I’m not sure if I liked the vibe, a lone african man sits sullenly with a tired look in the middle of the room. I hope he’s not here by himself. the band had a very good sound most of the time, but I thought the guy sang too loud (though it was mainly because of a faulty microphone), and a little bit out of tune. There was a young lady playing the electric violin, she was dressed in black, almost like a goth. Her violin playing really brought the songs to life, and her style had a very celtic tone to it. And then it hit me. This must be an Irish Pub. There is a street sign as part of the decor in the middle of the room, pointing to Donegal, Kerry and Dublin. All three are cities or counties of Ireland. There was a painting of a man nuzzling a wooden cask with affection, and other paintings of people in the countryside.
-
-
-
Before the next song started I decided to leave, I thought it was good to end with the song ‘Dirty Old Town’ in my head (it’s a nice song), and I felt kind of rude being in a pub without buying a drink. I just read online that the bar tender might be rude to you, but maybe that’s just part of the vibe. So yeah, it’s an irish pub, and it’s called The Lion, in Archway. I thought it was called Sweeney’s to be honest.
Advertisement
