Tipped

Flames of my Mondeo

October 16, 2008

Are you looking for a pub that’s not dull/rank/too packed/violent/druggy but not a bar that’s sterile/pretentious/expensive/has poor seating/overpriced nibbles?

Are you looking for a pub/bar that is themed but not a theme pub – not just a shit cross between TGI Friday, Lidl and Chessington World Of Adventure?

Do you like Betty Page, Americana and have at least once in your life thought it would be cool either own a hotrod or simply paint flames up the side of your Mondeo?

Do you own music by: Guns ‘N’ Roses, AC/DC, Metallica or Motley Crue? (only one and you’re still in the game).

Do you like the idea of spit and sawdust, but not actual spit and actual sawdust?

Do you (look) like Suicide Girls?

Do you know about Sailor Jerry? (OK, so you may not know this, but if you do then you’re probably already on your way there)?

Enough questions. Here’s answers: Big Red is a 50s/60s rockabilly bar with barrels for tables, a great juke box, pool tables, a great and reasonably priced selection of beers, ciders and small luminous drinks that make you feel like you’ve become an Alice Cooper album cover. They also do good nachos, open late, have a smoking area, and every so often a band (I once went in for a quick snifter one Friday to find a southern rock covers band – replete with washboard – from Berlin. All of them looked like Kevin Bacon from Tremors, raised the roof with twangy hoe-down versions of ‘Hey Ya’ and ‘Hotel California’ and Morrissey came in. Seriously).

Aaaaand, it has few neighbours so there aren’t tons of pissed chavs wheeling past fighting, shouting and – dare I say – catawalling.

It’s rock. It’s good.

Keywords: rockabilly, jukebox, rock