“London’s Dead Pubs” Explored In New Book

Following from London’s Lost Music Venues Vol 1 & 2, author Paul Talling turns his attention to the capital’s lost drinking dens. If you enjoyed his previous books, you’ll enjoy London’s Dead Pubs too. Read about The Ruskin Arms in Manor Park where the Small Faces used to rehearse; The Star in Croydon where Jimi Hendrix, Captain Beefheart, Cream, and Fleetwood Mac all played; and Putney’s White Lion who hosted punk and new wave bands including X-Ray Spex, Tubeway Army, Crass, Monochrome Set and The UK Subs. In addition to the many music-related anecdotes Paul broadens this book out into an alternative, sticky-carpeted history of London, viewed from the bar of some of its most iconic (and now sadly gone) drinking dens. A well-stocked jukebox, bar snacks, and pints of Whitbread, Fuller’s, Truman’s or Courage on tap. Nothing quite matches the atmosphere of a London pub. But since 2004, one in five pubs across Greater London have closed. This book pays tribute to many of the great public drinking places we’ve lost, while also celebrating some pubs that have returned from the dead.

Paul Talling is best known for the Derelict London website and has been giving guided walks across all parts of London for over 20 years. With over 200 original photos of pubs in all states of dereliction plus some that have luckily come back from the dead, London’s Dead Pubs laments the drinking spaces we’ve lost and also points to places where it’s still possible to drink in the (usually) convivial atmosphere of a great London boozer today. Derelict London Presents: London’s Dead Pubs will be published on June 25th and can be pre-ordered via Damaged Goods Books