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The Water Rats

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The Water Rats
The Pindar of Wakefield
Map
AddressGray's Inn Road
London, WC1
United Kingdom
Coordinates51°31′44″N 0°07′11″W / 51.52899°N 0.11965°W / 51.52899; -0.11965
Public transitLondon Underground Kings Cross St. Pancras
National Rail Kings Cross; St. Pancras
OwnerSally Fox
TypeTheatre, pub
Capacity200
Current useLive Music Comedy Breakfast Lunch Dinner Cocktails Venue Special Events and Filming contact venue for more info
Construction
Opened1992; 32 years ago (1992)
RebuiltFull restoration, refurbishment and rebuild July 2015 - Originally built in 1517 when the landlord was George Green, one-time Pindar of Wakefield, who was supposed to have had connections with Robin Hood. The present house, built in 1878, was once patronised by Karl Marx and Lenin. Until the 1980s it housed a regular 'Old Time Music Hall'. In 1986 the premises were bought by the Grand Order of Water Rats and the name was changed to the Water Rats. - London Encyclopaedia ** 1723 The Pindar of Wakefield Public house in Grays Inn Road is badly damaged in a thunderstorm, the landlords two daughters are buried in the ruins; the pub is rebuilt on the opposite side of the road. - **
Website
http://thewaterratsvenue.london

The Water Rats is a live music venue at 328 Grays Inn Road, Kings Cross, London, England. Until 1992 it was known as The Pindar of Wakefield and was famous for its regular old time music hall entertainment.

Bob Dylan played his first UK gig here in December 1962.[1] The Pogues (then known as the Pogue Mahones) had their first performance here on October 4, 1982.[2][3] Oasis's debut London performance took place here on 27 January 1994.[4] The Beta Band played their debut show here on Wednesday 23 July 1997.[5] Acts such as Katy Perry, Sisteray,[6] The Courteeners and Ra Ra Riot also appeared here prior to international acclaim. In 2014, The Water Rats began hosting a weekly quiz night.[7] The venue reopened in October 2015 with a new management.[8] [9]

Originally built in 1517 when the landlord was George Green, one-time Pindar of Wakefield, who was supposed to have had connections with Robin Hood. The present house, built in 1878, was once patronised by Karl Marx and Lenin. Until the 1980s it housed a regular 'Old Time Music Hall'. In 1986 the premises were bought by the Grand Order of Water Rats and the name of the venue was changed to the Water Rats.


  1. ^ guardian.co.uk Guardian News and Media Limited 2009
  2. ^ Article by Sara Newman in the Independent, Saturday, 24 March 2007
  3. ^ Shane's World: the return of The Pogues Independent.ie
  4. ^ New Oasis Poster - 14th year commemoration by band. Oasis official site.
  5. ^ Beta Band 1997 gigography
  6. ^ http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/sisteray/2013/the-water-rats-london-england-23d8c857.html
  7. ^ http://questionone.co.uk/venues/water-rats
  8. ^ "http://thewaterratsvenue.london/". thewaterratsvenue.london. Retrieved 2015-11-18. {{cite web}}: External link in |title= (help)
  9. ^ "Iconic London music venue The Water Rats to re-open". Evening Standard. Retrieved 2015-11-19.