The link between writers, alcohol consumption and creativity is well documented, so if you’re doing an unofficial literary tour of any given city, pubs and bars will be on the agenda. Here are the top five bars frequented by famous authors around the world.
Lamb & Flag – Oxford
You’ll find other pubs in Oxford that are older with more ambiance and ghostly apparitions (The Turf Tavern, for example), but in terms of literary merit, the Lamb & Flag stands out. A great place to get a pint, this pub is also where Thomas Hardy apparently wrote much of Jude the Obscure and C.S. Lewis would occasionally meet with The Inklings, a literary group that also included J.R.R Tolkien.
The Brazen Head – Dublin
With such a rich literary history and an abundance of drinking establishments, choosing Dublin’s best literary pub was a tough task. I had to go with the oldest, Brazen Head, established in 1198 and a favorite of James Joyce, Brendan Behan and Jonathan Swift. Another option to check out is the incredible Dublin Literary Pub Crawl with Colm Quilligan.
El Floridita – Havana
Of course, what is a Top 5” literary bar list without an Ernest Hemingway local? El Floridita was Hemingway’s favorite spot from 1932–1939, when he lived at Hotel Ambos Mundos, a short stagger away. Bartender Constantino Ribalaigua Vert, who later became the owner, also invented the frozen daiquiri here. Other notable writers include Ezra Pound and Graham Greene.
Harry’s Bar – Paris
Harry’s Bar was dismantled in New York only to be painstakingly rebuilt in France, presumably so American expats could feel at home in Paris. F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway and Jean Paul Sartre were frequent visitors.
The White Horse Tavern – New York
Established in 1880, The White Horse Tavern was grittier when it first opened; its primary patrons being those who worked as longshoremen, loading and unloading cargo ships. In the late 50s and early 60s, its clientele took a distinct turn, becoming a hangout for Beat poets and writers including Jack Kerouac, Norman Mailer and Hunter S. Thompson. On a darker literary note: Dylan Thomas had his last drink here. Shortly after a particularly intense bender that concluded at the White Horse, Thomas returned to the Chelsea Hotel where he became ill, fell into a coma and eventually died. Cause of death was attributed to pneumonia, pressure on the brain and a fatty liver.
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