Memories by Ada
Clubs in Snowhill
I remember the two clubs, "Dead Ernests" and "The Television Club" but clubs ( as distinct from pubs ) where gay people could gather were in those days few and far between. A little way down the street that was Snow Hill, on the right hand side, was ...
Robbies Bar
I wonder how many would remember a wonderful little pub, also in Snow Hill, but not as far down as the Jungle, It's correct name was, "Howard's Bar" but known generally as, "Robbies" after the warm-hearted landlady who kept it. There were only two ro...
A steamy end to the night !
If instead of a talking end to an evening, a more steamy (or should that be seamy) end was envisaged then one sauntered down to Platform 1 of old New St. station. Here was another coffee bar, open all night, with a curious floating clientele. Conside...
The scene in the 1950s
Of course the Birmingham of thirty years ago, was, as far as anyone gay was concerned, a talking scene. If you couldn't talk, couldn't be witty and intelligent above average, you were just ignored. Discos did not exist and dancing was not a skill par...
So smoky you could barely see !!
"A little way down the street that was Snow Hill, on the right hand side, was a barbers shop and if you were in the know, you could go there after the pubs closed at ten. Outwardly the place would be in darkness having closed say about 5.30 pm. but a...
8 people and it was full
El Torro, This stood on the corner of Ethel St and Stephenson St and occupied the ground floor of a building standing, between Ethel St and the now disappeared, Colunnade Passage. This was to one side of the old Theatre Royal, and disappeared with th...