The Bull and Gate has been a stalwart on the London gig scene for 30 years with bands such as Blur, Nirvana, Manic Street Preachers, Muse, Coldplay, PJ Harvey all played this venue. But it was also the first opportunity for countless less successful bands. I suspect if you know somebody who has played in a band in the last 20 years, they probably played this venue.

I have to admit, I didn’t use the venue as much as I should have. I’d occasionally drop in to see a random band and always pop in for a pint before a gig at the Forum. But I have fond memories of friends’ bands playing here. So I was sad to see it go.

Maybe it’s a sign that the music landscape of London has shifted westward towards Shoreditch, or more likely it’s a sign that there’s more money in ‘gastro pubs’. But it’s sad when a venue with such a strong history is closes.

The pub closed in May to be gutted and re-open as a ‘foodie pub’ in the autumn. Sadly, when I walked past the venue in November, it was still closed and there was no sign of any work having started.

Sad day.

Barabica – A friend’s band playing at the Bull and Gate in 2004

The Ukrainians in 2011

The Naturals in 2012

Cold in Berlin in 2012

The Chapman Family in 2012

Ultrasound playing the closing evening

Ed Harcourt closing the evening with a good old sing song