Afternoon drinking clubs in the late 70's early 80's.

[Harry H]

Before Britains drinking laws became civilised,pubs used to shut between 2pm-6pm in the afternoon.
There was only one thing for the hard drinking man to do (There were seldom many women).Join an afternoon drinking club.
We used to use the Linden Club where all manner of knocker boys and local villains hung out.
Remarkably I never remember seeing a fight.Respect for each other maybe?
I can't remember the names of the other clubs,but there were others.

 

[Saladpack Seagull]

Days in London could be brightened by an unnamed Chinese drinking/gambling den in Wardour Street. Looking back it seems crazy the lengths some of us would go to for an out-of-hours tipple...I barely touch a drop these days. Anyone else ever go to that place? The barman was called Tony and there weren't many non-Chinese in there. I'd like to say "Happy Days" but for me they weren't, which was why I went there in the first place!

 

[Charlies Shinpad]

Used to be one in Worthing behind Bentalls I seem to recall from the 70's

 

[desprateseagull]

Occasionally went with aunt and uncle to the Lewes Road Labour Club, for a cola and crisps, and maybe some 2nd hand smoking (not by choice).

I think the large open plan design must have inspired Wetherspoons of today..

 

[Official Old Man]

Three come to mind and all were gay, but then in the 70's that was the only place to get a drink out of hours.
Bar above a shop in Kings Road (may have been Catlins rock shop). Open all day.
Bar above the shops in Rottingdean. Turn towards the sea at the crossroads. Another day time spot.
Bar in the cellar of the now closed Mariner (East St & Seafront, Brighton). After hours spot till 3am (all other bars, clubs etc closed at 11pm). Floppy bit of ham and lettuce was handed around to get around the law. Worst memory was having a wee and sharing the only toilet in the gay bar. Couldn't go!!!
Should point out that I was with my girl friend at all these places.

 

[desprateseagull]

I've also been to what looked like a boxer's bar, behind one of the seafront hotels?

 

[Harry H]

A place just down from the "Wick" pub in Hove.Just up from the seafront.
We all used to get paid Friday lunchtime,go to the pub for a pint,have one too many and stuff work for the afternoon.
Happy Days

 

[Deleted User X18H]

A place just down from the "Wick" pub in Hove.Just up from the seafront.
We all used to get paid Friday lunchtime,go to the pub for a pint,have one too many and stuff work for the afternoon.
Happy Days

The Banana bar

 

[Bulldog]

I remember a few in Worthing -

Buckingham club, near the old Buckingham pub

Oasis, Warwick gardens I think

Claymore club near the old White horse pub

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

Tuesdays used to be 'market day' in Haywards Heath. Not sure why, must have been a market at one time in the dim distant past. Council must have forgotten to repeal the all-afternoon drinking bye-law that was once presumably associated with thirsty market traders, because the Burrell was open all Tuesday afternoons. Rarely made it back to the office in Perrymount Road before about half-four, and only then to have some strong coffee before heading off home, pleasantly pickled.

 

[Blackadder]

Tuesdays used to be 'market day' in Haywards Heath. Not sure why, must have been a market at one time in the dim distant past. Council must have forgotten to repeal the all-afternoon drinking bye-law that was once presumably associated with thirsty market traders, because the Burrell was open all Tuesday afternoons. Rarely made it back to the office in Perrymount Road before about half-four, and only then to have some strong coffee before heading off home, pleasantly pickled.

Yep, there was a Livestock market ran by Bannisters. It was on the site now occupied by Sainsburys around the corner from the train station. There was also the Hayworth hotel, which has a "Market Bar". It's now gone as well.

 

[Harry H]

No it wasn't called the Banana Bar.
I think the Brunswick was maybe at the sea end of the road.
You had to go upstairs to get in as opposed to the Linden where you had to go downstairs.

 

[The Birdman]

I remember many good session in the Burrell in the early 70s and then the company opposite our company opened social club bar at #5pm happy days.cheap beer.

 

[Brother Sid]

Vicki's up Queen Sq near the old Sussex Sports Centre

 

[pastafarian]

my old man had a pub during these years.
the "special" drinking club in the afternoon consisted of walking in the back door because we were opposite the local cop shop

50% of the punters were police though,most used to drive home bladdered as well,sometimes escorted back by a marked car

I remember one night a constable on his first nights duty pulled my old man over for drink driving and took him back to the cells very pleased with himself,all hell broke loose locally,much paperwork was lost though and i think the poor constable was told how things worked locally

not condoning,just saying how different attitudes were back then

 

[catfish]

I remember a few in Worthing -

Buckingham club, near the old Buckingham pub

Oasis, Warwick gardens I think

Claymore club near the old White horse pub

That's right & the Claymore used to be called the Robert Bruce in the 70s.

 

[fat old seagull]

The Naafi ...... in strict moderation (mostly).

 

[The Birdman]

D

my old man had a pub during these years.
the "special" drinking club in the afternoon consisted of walking in the back door because we were opposite the local cop shop

50% of the punters were police though,most used to drive home bladdered as well,sometimes escorted back by a marked car

I remember one night a constable on his first nights duty pulled my old man over for drink driving and took him back to the cells very pleased with himself,all hell broke loose locally,much paperwork was lost though and i think the poor constable was told how things worked locally

not condoning,just saying how different attitudes were back then

I had a fright one night in my local cricket club in Mid Sussex about midnight a bang on the door and it was the local police, I was very young at the time and was worried and the barman said to the officer a double sir and we all carried on drinking.

 

[Crackpot]

Deffo one in Queens Square.....maybe two...both on left hand side as you walk up from Western Road. Perhaps not running at same time though.

A popular one on Kemp Town seafront,Marine Parade.... on Chichester Terrace??

And another on St Georges Road or Chesham Road.Winchester Club?

 

[BigGully]

Deffo one in Queens Square.....maybe two...both on left hand side as you walk up from Western Road. Perhaps not running at same time though.

A popular one on Kemp Town seafront,Marine Parade.... on Chichester Terrace??

And another on St Georges Road or Chesham Road.Winchester Club?

Wasnt the one in queens square 'Fozzies' ??