It was an end of an era in West Hampstead with Dave and Edna ending their association at La Brocca.
The place, though not holding the same level of affection as the old Black Lion sports bar, nevertheless still holds many happy memories. It was a night full of nostalgia as many regulars returned for the final night. I was not a regular by any stretch of the imagination, but I have been drinking there for over 20 years. It’s one of the few bars in the area which broadcast Sky Sports and BT Sport. Though the owner was predominantly a rugby fan, he ensured that football was shown (as long as it didn’t clash with Saracens v Bath…..zzzzzzzz).
Garden sheds all over NW6 were raided and all kinds of tools were employed to extract fittings from all over the bar. As the wine was consumed (the bar ran out of lager and the bar staff were despatched to Tescos), the desperation to collect a memento reached fever pitch. One clearly inebriated drinker even removed the salt and pepper shakers from the bar…..you couldn’t make it up.
As the day followed my Wembley trip, I was shattered. I made my excuses at around 11pm, and the party was still going strong. The new owners will shortly refurbish the bar and reopen later in the summer. With the Railway still closed (and no sign when it will reopen), the options for drinkers in WH will remain limited.