I remember well this pub from the early 70's. Liz Taylor and Richard Burton drank here. I used to be an Assistant Manager at The Sussex on Upper St. Matins Lane and used to come to the Salisbury with my other half on our night off. In fact the Manager that we worked for at the Sussex went to the Salisbury as Manager for a while. Now living in America I am taking a walk down memory lane from over 48 years ago. Used to work in the Champion on Wells St, the Two Chairmen and the Horn and Trumpet and what I would give to turn the clock back just for maybe a weekend.
I remember this Pub from almost 60 years ago . It was split into 3 Bars , the main Public one , the intimate ' Snug ' at the bottom near the Stairs , and around the side was a separate Lounge Bar . It was frequented by many of the great showbusiness Stars of the day . Beryl Reid , who used to hold court there , Sir Ralph Richardson , even the Great Nureyev. For many years it has been a ' straight ' Pub , but back in the 60s it was discreetly Gay . The so called ' cobwebs ' are a recent invention, it was an elegant Pub back then , the Mirrors, Bronze Statues, Lighting ( some ) are unique dating back to Victorian /Edwardian times . In the 1960's The Salisbury was a riotous fun place to be , it also Lunchtimes served excellent food .
