The 1970s is often remembered as a decade of fluctuating fortunes in London and the country as a whole.
From the downward-spirall of the UK’s economic situation to IRA bomb threats, the period also saw the country join the European Communities, the precursor to the European Union, in 1973, and Conservative politician Margaret Thatcher begin her tenure as Prime Minister in 1979.
As has been the case this last year or so, the end of the 1970s is often associated with a series of major strikes. Widely referred to as the ‘Winter of Discontent’, a name taken from Shakespeare’s play Richard III, the 1978/1979 strikes, organised after years of worsening inflation, are widely seen as instrumental in the Labour prime minister, James Callaghan, losing the election later that year.
Arts and culture also underwent several major overhauls during the period. The explosion of British punk acts, perhaps most famously involving the formation of The Sex Pistols in 1975, as well as genres including glam rock, fronted by artists such as Marc Bolan, David Bowie and Mot the Hoople, were indicative of a changing music scene.
Meanwhile, the clothing styles of the 1970s reflected various societal developments, including gradually improving women’s rights and the youth counterculture.
In typical UK fashion, pubs were at the heart of many of the major events of the decade, hosting celebrities, sports stars and other famous figures, while also at times the scenes of less favourable occurences.
From protests to a bizarre rock wedding, we’ve collated 10 photos showcasing some of the goings on in pubs throughout the 1970s.

1. 1972, June. The Eagle pub on Farringdon Road.
Customers in the Eagle in Farringdon Road in London. | Getty Images

2. 1972, June. The George pub on Old Bailey and St George’s Court.
The Angry Brigade march past The George to protest at the Old Bailey trial of their members for a number of small-scale bombings. Behind them is a banner which reads ‘Anti-Internment League East London’. The pub was badly damaged the following year in an IRA bombing outside the Old Bailey. | Getty Images

3. 1973, June. The Prince of Wales pub on Great Queen Street.
The cast of the stage musical Grease at the New London Theatre publicise the show outside the Prince of Wales. | Getty Images

4. 1973, November. The Wellington, in Shepherd’s Bush.
Former boxer Monty Swan holds his opponent Pedro the Gypsy above his head during a wrestling match at the Wellington. | Getty Images