Pub Heritage Great Northern
Pub Heritage Group have recently carried out a regrading of Real Heritage Pubs - click here for full details
Bedfordshire - Luton
Two star - A pub interior of outstanding national historic interest
Listed Status: II
63 Bute StreetLuton
LU1 2EY
OS ref: TL093216
Tel: (01582) 729311
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/150731608294340
Real Ale: Yes
Station: Yes
Nearby Station: Luton
Public Transport: Near Railway Station (Luton)
View on: Whatpub
The term “little gem” has become something of a cliché but springs immediately to mind on entering this tiny one-bar pub. You enter by the left-hand door which originally led to an off sales but the partition was removed many years ago and the former main entrance, the right-hand door, put out of use. Green-tiled wainscotting with a tulip relief adorns all the walls and the ornate cast iron roof pillar with a leaf decoration is a notable feature. The mirrored bar back, with slender columns holding up the shelves, is genuinely old; the canted-fronted bar counter and brick fireplace are both inter-war. The domino table at the front of the room is a rare feature. Most of the external patterned glass has been replaced, presumably because of breakages, but all the original glazing bars (some curved) survive. However, at the back of the room is an exterior-looking etched window, beyond which was what was a lounge but is now a smoking area.
The term “little gem” has become something of a cliché but springs immediately to mind on entering this tiny one-bar pub. A narrow three-storey building of brick built 1860s. It was given a good quality refurbishment in the 1890s. In 1921 it was purchased by Benskins Watford Brewery Limited and at this time it had a Private Bar, Public Bar and Tap Room. It was named after the Great Northern Railway station which opened in Bute Street in 1858.
You enter via the left hand door which originally led to the off sales or private bar but the partition was removed a number of years ago. The right hand door was the original entrance to the public bar but now it is out of use. By the left hand door there is a short screen painted a beige colour with an etched glass panel in the top half. There is a dado of dark green tiling with a tulip motif in relief all around the room and the ceiling is held up by a pillar with a simple capital of leaf decoration all painted dark green; three ceiling roses.
The bar counter is of an inter-war style having a canted front recently painted dark green. The wooden display cabinets and pot shelf above the bar counter are modern. The four-bay bar back fitting dates from the 1890s with a mirrored back and slender columns holding up the shelves. In the servery there is a door with a ‘Bar’ etched panel. Commendably, there is no loss of lower shelves as a fridge is sensibly placed under the bar counter. At the rear on the right is a 1930s brick fireplace painted dark blue. Along the right hand wall is some 1960s seating with metal legs. At the front of the room is a rare domino table with holders for your pint glass on each corner.
Sadly, most of the patterned glass on the front has been replaced, presumably because of breakages. However, at the rear of the room there is an exterior-looking window with an etched panel. Beyond it was a room, once a lounge, later a pool room but now a smoking area. The ladies’ toilets are outside whereas the gents' toilet are inside - both are modernised.
Full Description
You enter via the left hand door which originally led to the off sales or private bar but the partition was removed a number of years ago. The right hand door was the original entrance to the public bar but now it is out of use. By the left hand door there is a short screen painted a beige colour with an etched glass panel in the top half. There is a dado of dark green tiling with a tulip motif in relief all around the room and the ceiling is held up by a pillar with a simple capital of leaf decoration all painted dark green; three ceiling roses.
The bar counter is of an inter-war style having a canted front recently painted dark green. The wooden display cabinets and pot shelf above the bar counter are modern. The four-bay bar back fitting dates from the 1890s with a mirrored back and slender columns holding up the shelves. In the servery there is a door with a ‘Bar’ etched panel. Commendably, there is no loss of lower shelves as a fridge is sensibly placed under the bar counter. At the rear on the right is a 1930s brick fireplace painted dark blue. Along the right hand wall is some 1960s seating with metal legs. At the front of the room is a rare domino table with holders for your pint glass on each corner.
Sadly, most of the patterned glass on the front has been replaced, presumably because of breakages. However, at the rear of the room there is an exterior-looking window with an etched panel. Beyond it was a room, once a lounge, later a pool room but now a smoking area. The ladies’ toilets are outside whereas the gents' toilet are inside - both are modernised.
