Pubs with Bruce

Whitstable. Widely recognized as the oldest public house in Whitstable, dating back to around 1500. It began as two separate farm cottages alongside an old thoroughfare connecting London and Dover to Whitstable. In 1690 the cottages were purchased by Thomas Potts, who converted the cottages into a coaching inn complete with stables. The original stables can still be seen on the left side of the pubs car park. In 1731 it was leased by brewer Thomas Tribe, who originated from S

Whitstable. Located in the lovely little coastal town of Whitstable, "The Neppy" sits on a spot right on the shingle beach. Built sometime before 1850 on what was likely a boatyard workshop, it serves the local shipwrights, fishermen, and tradesmen of the beachfront. Positioned directly on the shoreline, it has borne the brunt of severe North Sea and estuary gales for generations. In 1853 an exceptionally high tide combined with a northerly gale damaged the original foundatio

Canterbury. My local when in Canterbury. The earliest documented records of the building date back to 1819 when it was known as the City of Canterbury. By 1865 the word "Old" was added to the name to prevent confusion with another pub with the same name located at St. Thomas Hill. It transitioned to its current name in 1988. One of the most notable pieces of history related to this site is its connection to the local gallows that were located nearby. Executions took place the

Canterbury. A pub has been located on this site since at least 1837. The name "White Hart" comes from the personal royal badge of Richard II (there are 283 pubs in the UK with this name, the 4th most popular). It is built on the medieval ruins of St. Mary de Castro, a church and castle chapel that was destroyed in 1486. The pubs beer cellar originally served as the mortuary for the old church. A body chute remains intact in the cellar, once used to slide bodies down from grou

Canterbury. The building that houses the pub was constructed in 1504 and was originally a theatre/playhouse. The cellar beneath the pub dates to the 14th century. Local lore suggests that the cellar was connected to a network of tunnels linking various drinking houses, brothels, and local inns where traveling pilgrims stayed. They were even said to be used by members of the clergy to sneak out of the nearby cathedral undetected. One of the most notable historical events assoc

Canterbury. Widely celebrated as Canterbury's oldest pub and one of it's most remarkable surviving medieval buildings, the structure dates back to approximately 1370. The foundations of the building are entirely Roman, built just outside of the Roman City Wall. Constructed during the same era that Canterbury Cathedral's famous towers were being erected, the property was originally known as St. Radigund's Hall. It was named after the Premonstratensian monks of St. Radigund's A

London, Pimlico. Originally opened in 1830 as a restaurant, it was purchased in 1843 by the pioneering entertainment impresario Charles Morton, often referred to as the "Godfather of the Music Hall". He converted the building into a specialized saloon-style venue engineered to to stage live entertainment. It became one of the first establishments in London where performers could do a "turn" (a short comedic, musical, or theatrical routine). This style of structured, episodic

City of London. Established in 1796, it originally operated as The King's Head. It stands on the grounds of Samuel Whitbread's original brewhouse. For nearly two centuries the pub served as the official "brewery tap" - the primary watering hole for brewery workers and visitors - a role it sustained until Whitbread officially ceased operations on Chiswell Street in 1976. In 1992 it expanded into parts of the brewery's old storehouses, and in 2022 it was reimagined and reopened

London, Westminster. A pub has operated continuously on this site since 1837, with the current building constructed in 1897. Originally called the Windsor Castle, for decades it was affectionately known by locals as The Cardinal, because the home of Cardinal Manning, the highly influential 19th century Archbishop of Westminster, is located nearby. Because of its proximity to Westminster Cathedral and Cardinal Manning's legacy, the pub accumulated a rich collection of Catholic

Dublin. Founded in 1833 when John Kavanagh opened the pub using a gift from his hotelier father-in-law. It is currently being run by an eighth generation member of the Kavanagh family. The pub earned its famous ending moniker because it is built directly into the wall of Glasnevin Cemetery. During exhausting shifts digging graves, workers would walk up to the boundary wall and knock. The bartender would then pass pints of beer through a slot in the wall so the workers could g

Dublin. Secured it's liquor license in 1821. In 1870 it was transformed into the areas premier Gin Palace, debuting the ornate Victorian stucco facade, full height paneled pilasters, Romanesque windows, and a prominent curved corner shaped that still defines the streetscape today. In 1892 the pub secured a 7:00 a.m. opening license, establishing it as an "Early House". This rare designation was granted to accommodate the early morning schedules of night workers, traders, and

Dublin. Another of my favorite pubs in Dublin, recommended to me by the previously mentioned Christy from Mulligan's. Established in 1846 under the name The Signal House. Because it sits directly underneath a railway bridge that blocks out much of the sunlight, the early proprietors we're not charged for electricity - the railway paid for it. The Cleary family took over management of the pub in the early 1900s. Jim Cleary, who was a notable athlete, winning two All-Ireland me

Dublin. One of my favorite pubs in Dublin. Established originally as an unlicensed "shebeen" (drinking den), it became a legally licensed premises in 1782 under the Mulligan family. The last of the family passed away in the 1920s, and ownership transitioned in 1932 to the head barman, Michael "Mick" Smyth. It eventually passed down to his nephews, Con and Tommy Cusack. Today the tavern continues to be operated by the third generation of the Cusack family. The pub is a corners

Dublin. Established in 1850, this Victorian-era establishment is situated at the corner of Trinity College and has served as a hub for Dublin's literary, academic, and social circles for generations. As with many old pubs, Kennedy's originally opened as a dual purpose venue, operating as a traditional grocery store in the front and a spirit grocer/pub in the back. It features a beautifully preserved red brick facade, distinct arches over the lounge, a classic wraparound store

Dublin. Opened in 1839, the pub served pensioners from Royal Hospital Kilmaimham until 1927, guards from the notorious Kilmainham Gaol, and soldiers stationed at the nearby Islandbridge and Richmond barracks. It is positioned on a narrow winding road that predates carriage and car traffic, escaping the alignment changes of the Wide Streets Commission. The name of course references the oak tree that Charles II hid in to escape capture after his defeat in the Battle of Worceste

Dublin. Licensed in 1803. Like many public houses of that era, Kehoes operated partly as a grocery store. Customers could buy provisions like coffee, tea, rice and snuff while slipping into a private partition for a quick drink. The front bar still displays mahogany drawers that stored the provisions. The interior underwent a Victorian style renovation in the late 19th century, and features a hand carved dark mahogany bar, stained glass saloon doors, and original advertising

Dublin. Licensed in 1766. In the 1860s it served as a clandestine meeting place and recruiting place for the Finians, a 19th century secret republican organization. The exterior features a red and white canopy with red bricks, The interior features deep red ceilings, ornate gold leaf accents, handcrafted woodwork, and a gleaming gilded bar counter backed by baroque mirrors. The walls are decorated with historical prints including engravings depicting the dealings of Russian

Dublin. A drinking establishment first opened on this site in the 1770s, first as the Albion Tavern and later as John Bull's Albion Hotel and Tavern. In the early 1890s a wealthy Westmoreland merchant and tailor named George Tyson bought the building, leveled it, and commissioned architect J.M. McLaughlin to construct a lavish Victorian masterpiece. In 1894 it was heralded as Dublin's most advanced pub and famously became the first in the capital to feature electric lighting

Dublin. 1840. If you want to pay 11.50 euros for a pint of Guinness and hang out with a bunch of loud, obnoxious American tourists, this is your place. As our previously mentioned tour guide Luke says, "an Irishman wouldn't be caught dead in der!"

Dublin. The building originally dates back to 1823, serving as a drapery shop run by John Stanford. In 1912 the Ryan family from Tipperary took over the building and converted it into a public house. In the 1940s and 1950s it became the social headquarters for journalists, writers, and editors from the Irish Times, including legendary editor R.M. "Bertie" Smyllie. Famed literary figure Patrick Kavanaugh dubbed it a "temple of art". In 1947 renowned war photographer Lee Miller