The London House bar was originally situated in the corner of the common room. It was only a small bar but on Friday nights in particular the common room was filled to the brim – as were the continuously replenished glasses of all those residents present. The first barman I encountered was a Scot, known as ‘Jock’. He was truly a character to remember and it was a sad day when he left. In the bar a pint of good bitter was about sixpence (around 2p). I still recall the outcry when the price was raised to sevenpence!
Graham Denoon Grant-Whyte (LH 1959–63)
Another bit o’ talk around the Square was that I, a Religious Sister of Mercy, served at the bar! It became well known that I was the only bartender at the time who could mix a Bloody Mary – a favourite drink of the United States residents – so on my shift they came in full force! In those days residents gave their time, serving at the reception desk, the switchboard and the bar, and at babysitting for married residents with children, for which we were given a small stipend, gratefully received.
London House Bar, 1949. Sister Mary Noel Menezes (WGH 1971–3; 1984–5)
