Southampton. Established in 1855 (although some records indicate 1851), it was originally known as the Bunch of Grapes and is located on Oxford Street close to the docks and Dock Gate 4 (leading to Berth 44 where the Titanic docked) which made it popular with sailors back in the day. On April 6, 1912 the Slade brothers Alfred, Tom, and Bertram, along with John Podesta and William Nutbean were at the pub having a last drink before boarding the Titantic. At about 10 minutes to twelve they left the pub but on their way back to the ship they were delayed when a passenger train blocked their way to the docks. Podesta and Nutbean dashed in front of the train but the Slade brothers stayed behind. When they arrived at the White Star dock it was 11:59 and the gangplank was being raised. The officer in charge refused to lower it as he had already replaced the brothers with sailors who were gathered on the dock and the brothers were listed as deserters. Podesta and Nutbean survived the sinking but the men who replaced the brothers did not. Out of the 724 crewmembers listed with Southampton addresses 549 died in the sinking.

Today there is a mural of the ill fated liner adorning the exterior of the pub and the sign hanging outside is the same one that greeted patrons in 1912. Inside is a large Victorian mirror backed bar (there is also a smaller bar behind it serving the back room), etched glass panels, and of course lots of memorabilia and pictures relating to the ship, the crew, and the tragedy. And one of my favorite features is the pub cat, Bingo (such a loverboy!) I sat down with a pint of The Grapes Special Ale (brewed by Hobgoblin Beer in Burton-on-Trent) and soaked it all in.