“The Halfway House? More like a time machine!” someone once joked to me right here. This unassuming pub, tucked away on Commercial Road, has a history as rich and layered as its oldest brick. You see, The Halfway House, as it was originally known, dates back to the 17th century. It earned its name as a welcome stopover for travelers along the bustling Queen’s Highway to Essex. Imagine carriages rattling past, laden with goods and gossip! Geoffrey Chaucer himself, a former resident of nearby Aldgate, even mentions The Halfway House in his Reeve’s Tale. Even Samuel Pepys, the famous diarist, was a regular here in the 1660s. Over the centuries, The Halfway House transformed alongside London. It became The George Tavern in the 19th century. It even survived the Blitz, though sadly, many of its neighbors didn’t. Today, The George Tavern is a beloved music venue. It has hosted everyone from emerging artists to big names like Nick Cave and Anna Calvi. So, the next time you raise a glass at The George Tavern, remember, you’re not just enjoying a pint, you’re experiencing a slice of London’s living history.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to