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A Pint in the Pastby Torquil McTavish |
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p17 They've always liked a drink in Stoke Newington. The oldest recorded inn was 'Le Bell on the Hoop' in 1403, and by 1870 there were no less than 25 taverns and beer shops catering to thirsty Stokey dwellers. In the interests of research, we thought we'd take a quick look at the history of the Church Street pubs.
Starting with what is now the 'Bar Lorca', its name was changed from the
'Cock and Harp' in the late seventeenth century to 'The Three Crowns' to commemorate the
visit of King James 1, passing by in 1603 to be crowned king of Scotland, England and
Ireland. The name lasted until 1990, when it was rechristened 'The Samuel Beckett', in an
attempt to give the place some Irish intellectual authenticity, and it assumed its present
name in 1995. Famous local resident Daniel Defoe attended his masonic meetings in the pub
in the eighteenth century.
'The Fox Reformed' was built in 1878 on part of the site of Stoke Newington's second official manor house, and was used as a court room dispensing local justice. From 1806 until its demolition it was a school (one of whose luminaries was Edgar Allan Poe). The building became a wine bar 'Fox's' in 1981. Over the road is 'Ryan's'. The building and the 19th-century draper's shop extension were listed Grade 2 in 1975 (what was going on in 1975?), and since the late 1980s it has been variously 'La Mancha', 'The Vestry' and it now seems content with its present title.
At the end of the street, the 'Rose and Crown' has been known as such
since 1612, but the original inns were on the east junction of Albion Road. It moved to
its present position in 1930 and was built on the site of a house belonging to one Mary
Hillum (who lived to 103 and never once left Stoke Newington, sensible woman), and part of
the Halstead House mansion.
Thanks to Derek Baker for his help in the compilation of this article
. And thanks to Hackney Archives for the use of the above images. |
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Not many pople know this, but... there used to
be a pub opposite Pronto Pizza, but it predated this fast food establishment by at least
300 years. The Falcon Tavern certainly existed by 1723 and the omnibuses would stop here
on their gallop into London in the nineteenth century. It was rebuilt in 1854, and closed
its doors for the last time in 1930. The building was demolished in the late 1950's and
lay derelict until 1993 when Gujurat House was erected on the site.
