Visit the Troubadour - one of London’s iconic music pubs that hosted Bob Dylan and Jimi Hendrix

Paul Simon, Bob Dylan and Jimi Hendrix played their first UK gigs at the pub, while more recently the Chemical Brothers, Adele and Florence and the Machine have graced the boozer.
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Get a pint in the Troubadour on the Old Brompton Road, and you can help but feel like you’re stepping into London musical history.

Dozens of instruments, such as guitars, banjos and drums, hang down from the roof, surrounding punters with artefacts from the past.

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The iconic pub has hosted numerous historic moments, including Bob Dylan, Paul Simon and Jimi Hendrix’s first concerts in the capital.

Instruments hang down at the Troubadour. Credit: Claudia MarquisInstruments hang down at the Troubadour. Credit: Claudia Marquis
Instruments hang down at the Troubadour. Credit: Claudia Marquis

In 1962, not long after releasing his eponymous first album, Dylan was in London.

“At the time, Earl’s Court was a sort of hub for the folk music scene,” Ian Screeton, manager of the Troubadour, told LondonWorld.

“When Bob Dylan was coming to London he asked where he should go.

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“He was automatically told to go to the Troubadour, where he would meet like minded people.”

Bob Dylan and Joan Baez on a trip to London. Credit: Keystone/Getty ImagesBob Dylan and Joan Baez on a trip to London. Credit: Keystone/Getty Images
Bob Dylan and Joan Baez on a trip to London. Credit: Keystone/Getty Images

After a gig by resident band The Men, Dylan headed onstage for an impromptu jam session attended only by Troubadour staff.

“Ever since then it’s just been a go to place for musicians knowing they are going to meet like minded people,” Ian said.

Paul Simon and Jimi Hendrix played their first UK gigs at the pub, while more recently the Chemical Brothers and Florence and the Machine have graced the boozer.

Ian Screeton manager of the Troubadour. Credit: Claudia MarquisIan Screeton manager of the Troubadour. Credit: Claudia Marquis
Ian Screeton manager of the Troubadour. Credit: Claudia Marquis
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Adele and Ed Sheeran have also performed in the hallowed west London spot.

“What makes The Troubadour iconic is that over the years, since 1954 when it first opened as a coffee shop, it has attracted all different types of musicians from all different genres.” Ian said.

“We have had folk nights, Spanish flamenco nights, leading up to today where we’ve had hip hop nights, we’ve had rock, punk. All genres have come here.”

The Troubadour in Earl’s Court. Credit: Claudia MarquisThe Troubadour in Earl’s Court. Credit: Claudia Marquis
The Troubadour in Earl’s Court. Credit: Claudia Marquis

And Ian explained the people who come now are “a complete mix”.

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“People are coming from the old days, who had been coming for years, you can get from every background coming in here,” he said.

“It’s a laid back, relaxed, fun vibe - if you just want to come and hang out that’s cool, if you just want to check out the jazz on a weekend that’s cool, we have all the crowds coming here.”

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