A sad day approaches. On December 4, 2005, the Old Bailey will close. Having been for sale for some time, the worst outcome has manifested.

We will be spending the next month visiting the Old Bailey often. Patty and I had planned to spend our anniversary there this January, but alas, the location of our first date will be gone.

What I love (ed) about the Old Bailey Pub:

• It's a pub - not a yuppie, 'look at my boobies giggle' pub. Nor is it a sleazy, dive bar. Just an unpretentious pub.
• The food is pub food - not try hard gastro pub. The menu items include traditional pub classics like liver and onions and bangers and mash, as well contemporary classics like wings and burgers. No crab cakes here! The execution of the food is always predictably greasy, in a wonderful way.
• The bartender is the best in town - friendly, makes the girls giggle, and remembers what you're drinking.
• You can sit there for hours, getting drunk, in the middle of the afternoon and feel totally ok about it.

In this next month, we call upon anyone who has ever loved the Bailey to get down and pay your respects to a great, and underrated Victoria icon. RIP

November 6, 2005