Bull & Gate’s Future In Doubt

While the UK festival industry gathered at London’s HMV Forum in Kentish Town for its annual conference, news broke that the pub next door’s musical future is in doubt.

The Bull & Gate, within staggering distance of The Forum, is up for sale for £2.7 million ($4.26 million).

A list of the major UK acts that have played the venue would be much longer than a list of the ones that haven’t. At one time it was the hub of London’s pub gig scene.

Coldplay, now on the way to being a global stadium act, played there in April 1999.

Davis Coffer Lyons, which is handling the sale, says it hopes to find a buyer that will keep the Bull & Gate as a live music venue.

However, the sheer size of the building will obviously appeal to investors and developers intent on seeing more return than a pub holding less than 200 people is likely to provide.

The venue was renowned for selling decent beer, having an excellent sound for a pub gig, and the characteristic quirk of being able to get to the live music room from the main bar by going through the gents’ toilets.