Bunjies

Opened in 1953 or 1954, and one of the original folk cafés of the 1950s/1960s, Bunjies Coffee House & Folk Cellar was situated at 27 Litchfield Street (just off Charing Cross Road), London WC2. Below the café, in a 400-year-old wine cellar, was an influential music venue which changed little until its closure (and conversion of the premises into a restaurant) in 1999.[1][2] Allegedly named after the first owner's pet hamster, the venue featured, early in their careers, Tom Paxton, John Renbourn, Bert Jansch, Bob Dylan and Paul Simon.[1] Al Stewart secured a residency at the Folk Cellar in 1965, at the age of 19, which was a significant factor in his later success.[3]

During the 1960s the venue was run by two brothers, Leo and Theo Johnson[4] and, at this time, a range of artists more associated with mainstream pop music than folk happily performed to tiny audiences in the confines of the cellar; Phil Collins, Sandie Shaw, Cat Stevens, Art Garfunkel, Rod Stewart, Long John Baldry and David Bowie being amongst them.[5]

Bunjies was a haunt of many writers, comedians, singers and artists. Regulars have included Jarvis Cocker of Pulp.

Other London folk cafés of the 1950s and 1960s included Les Cousins and The Troubadour.

References

  1. 1 2 Jim Clark
  2. ↑ Classic Cafes
  3. ↑ Acoustic Magazine
  4. ↑ Ged Clarke, Hereford
  5. ↑ Book: Rock Music Landmarks of London by Graham Vickers

Further reading

External links

Coordinates: 51°30′46″N 0°07′42″W / 51.5128°N 0.1284°W / 51.5128; -0.1284

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