Latest news with #Elephant&Castle
Time Out
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out
This is your last weekend to get brunch at this soon-to-close 52-year-old West Village favorite
If you've been meaning to finally try Elephant & Castle's famous eggs Benedict—or just want one more go at their goat-cheese-and-arugula pasta—you've got until Sunday. Yes, after 52 years at 68 Greenwich Avenue, the beloved West Village café will serve its last brunch service on August 17, closing for good after more than five decades of omelets, burgers and low-key celebrity sightings. Opened in 1973 by Dr. George Schwarz, a St. Vincent's Hospital radiation oncologist turned restaurateur, Elephant & Castle quickly became a neighborhood institution. Schwarz named it after a London traffic circle (and the pub that once stood there), then filled the menu with a then-novel blend of New American comfort dishes and brunch before brunch was even a thing. The place became a magnet for locals, Parsons students and downtown creative types—plus famous fans like Isaac Mizrahi, Mo Rocca, Victor Garber and Julianne Moore. The vibe? Think dark wood-paneled walls dotted with ceramic elephants, jazz playing at a civilized volume and staff who've known the regulars for decades. Chef Gary Kuschnereit has been in the kitchen since 1988; longtime manager Bonnie Jenkins started in '88 as well. Together they've kept the menu largely intact, ranging from French-style omelets and hearty sandwiches to Scarlett O'Hara's Coffee Cantata for dessert, even as dining trends came and went outside. But even with its fiercely loyal following, Elephant & Castle hasn't been able to withstand rising costs and shrinking crowds. St. Vincent's closing in 2010 dealt a blow to the steady stream of neighborhood diners and the pandemic years made recovery nearly impossible. 'It could not sustain itself financially,' Jenkins told Eater, adding that the decision to close was heartbreaking but inevitable. Regulars aren't taking the news lightly. Social media has been flooded with memories, tributes and desperate pleas for a white knight to swoop in. Some have floated a GoFundMe; restaurateurs Keith McNally and Danny Meyer have reportedly been approached to take over. So far, no savior has emerged. So if you want to sip one last perfect cup of coffee (the late Mimi Sheraton once called it the city's best) or tuck into that Gold'n Green omelet, clear your weekend. Elephant & Castle's final service is this Sunday and after that, the elephants go dark.
Scottish Sun
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
I've visited 24,000 boozers & knocked back 60,000 pints on ‘world's longest pub crawl' – here are my top 5 picks in UK
Peter has even secured a Guinness World Record for the world's longest pub crawl DRINK IT IN I've visited 24,000 boozers & knocked back 60,000 pints on 'world's longest pub crawl' – here are my top 5 picks in UK Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A REAL ale fan celebrated visiting visiting 24,000 boozers and downing 60,000 pints after more than 40 years on the "world's longest pub crawl". Peter Hill, from West Bromwich, drank to his 69th birthday after reaching his milestone at the Elephant & Castle in the West Midlands on June 20. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 9 Peter Hill (front left) and friends started trying out different pubs in 1984 Credit: SWNS 9 Peter (second right) then started average 11 pub visits a week Credit: SWNS 9 His group received a Guinness World Record title in 2017 after visiting 20,000 pubs Credit: SWNS 9 Peter Hill (front right) and co have now visited their 24,000th pub for his 69th birthday Credit: SWNS The father-of-two has travelled 400,000 miles across the country, and averaged 11 pubs each week, since starting on his expedition in 1984. This involved having a pint on 69 islands around the UK, visiting a boozer in every British county, and drinking at very pub in Wales. When Peter started, a pint cost 64p. Where it all started Peter started testing out different boozers with his mates when they got bored of drinking at the same one all the time, and they soon became known as the Black Country Ale Tairsters. After testing out a different pub from a map that was given out by the local Banks brewery in Wolverhampton, the Black Country Ale Tairsters then set out to visit all 300 pubs listed. Peter then had the aim of of visiting every pub on the CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) guide. "Then we sort of said 'shall we get to 1,000?' - then it was 2,000, then 3,000 and it just never stopped from there." The now retired engineer, Peter, eventually entered record books by trekking to all corners of Britain. His group set a record for the longest pub crawl, but that was never the main focus for Peter. He began to raise money for charities, like children's hospitals and the Air Ambulance, and raised over £35,000 over the years as each challenge became more and more ambitious. Britain's cheapest Wetherspoons' pint revealed Peter said: "It's been a great adventure and I've met some amazing people along the way. "I'm not sure if I'll ever stop, as I still really enjoy it. "There's still hundreds of pubs to go, so I'll keep on going while I can." Whilst numbers in the Black Country Ale Tairsters have gone up and down as life has gone on, Peter has persevered with the expedition, sometimes even going by himself. "We used to get a little drunk in the early days but it's more of a mature hobby now and I always take it easy and pace myself. We don't drink to excess," he added. "I mainly stick to the real ales but we'll try the odd stout and mild too. It's brilliant fun, you can't be a good pub." "I love the characters you meet." One of the rooms in Hills' home now contains 280-arch lever files which log every pub with pictures, menus and other memorabilia from the adventures. What makes a good pub For Peter, the best kinds of pubs are the "old-fashioned traditional boozers". He likes when then have just a couple of rooms, and provide a warm welcome too. He added: "And it helps if they have a good beer on." 9 Peter has an extensive collection of folders documenting all the pubs he has visited Credit: SWNS 9 The Black Country Ale Tairsters celebrated their 40th anniversary of pub crawls last year Credit: SWNS Throughout the years, Peter has seen the industry go through drastic changes with an increasing number of pubs struggling. However, he never goes for the pints that can reach up to seven or even ten quid. But to record that he has visited a pub, Peter leaves a calling card which he gets a staff member to sign. "The wife is OK with it, she just accepts it's my hobby." Peter and his wife Dawn, 66, plan to next go to Greenwich for their anniversary where they will down a few more pints. "I'm trying to do my bit to keep the pub scene alive. I'll keep going until the beer runs out." Peter's top 5 pubs Peter and his Black Country Ale Tairsters group achieved their Guinness World Record for the Longest Pub Crawl in 2017, after reaching their 20,000th pub. The now real ale connoisseur has revealed his top pubs in the UK, and why. The Black Lion, Consall Forge, Staffs: out in the wild, has an old steam train running past, next to a canal, lovely beer garden. Yew Tree Inn, Caulden, Staffs: 88-year-old landlord still remembers Peter visiting in the early days in 1987 as pub number 1,052. Old place full of antiques and great atmosphere. The Mug House, Claines, Worcester: has three little rooms, by lovely little churchyard. Peter also has a pal there who he sees often. The Rising Sun, Tipton, West Midlands: has been Peter's local pub for years, welcoming and friendly faces. Payton Arms, Stoke Lyne, Oxon: unique place full of cobwebs and spiders, old fashioned and hard to describe. Peter also added: "My favourites are Oakham Cistra, Abbeydale Moonshine or Deception, Ossett White Rat and Black Country Ales. "We've been to the Shetlands, Orkneys, Jersey, Guernsey. "And to parts of Europe too as we like to visit military and war sites, like the Somme." 9 The Black Lion, Consall Forge, Staffs is in Peter's top 5 list of pubs Credit: SWNS 9 His local pub, The Rising Sun, also remains among his favourites Credit: SWNS
Daily Mirror
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
'I've visited 24,000 boozers on 40 year pub crawl - these are my favourites'
Peter Hill has supped an incredible 60,000 pints on a mammoth pub crawl which has seen him visit 24,000 boozers across the UK in a 40 year pub crawl quest to visit every CAMRA guide pub Real ale fan Peter Hill has supped an incredible 60,000 pints on a mammoth pub crawl which has seen him visit 24,000 boozers across the UK. He celebrated his 69th birthday in the Elephant & Castle, at the Black Country Living Museum, in Dudley, as he continued his quest to visit every pub in the CAMRA guide. He has enjoyed a pint in every corner of the UK along with his drinking crew – the Black Country Ale Tairsters – and has even had a pint in pubs on 69 islands around the UK. The retired engineer has travelled over 400,000 miles since he started in 1984 and logs every pub he has visited at his West Bromwich home. He said: 'Every pub is logged, since number one, and I have over 300 lever arch files with photos, cards and a write up of the pubs. I leave a calling card which I have signed by a pub team member to prove I have been in.' In every pub he visits Peter asks the landlord to make a £1 donation to the Midland Air Ambulance and has so far raised over £35,000. He said: 'Some give a quid, some give a tenner, some £20 and some give nowt. But it's a great charity.' Peter started his journey when he and his pals started visiting pubs listed on a map handed out by Wolverhampton based Banks brewery. After visiting 300 pubs in a year they decided to continue. He said: 'It's taken me 41 years but I've now visited 24,000 pubs, but there are still hundreds more to go. We all love our real ale, but we don't overdo it, 'We have visited every single island with a pub around the British Isles, 69 of them. We've been to the Shetlands, Orkneys, Jersey, Guernsey. It's been a great adventure. I'm going to North Yorkshire next weekend for four days and then Essex after that, so we'll chalk up a few more on the list. Sometimes I'm on my own, but mostly it's a really good crew I travel with. It's brilliant fun. 'We've travelled across Europe too, to the military sites, the Somme, the Maginot line, the British war graves. We learn about the history and we visit the local pubs too, but they don't count on the list. One of the greatest people we found was a guy from World War 2 who used to look after the SAS war graves in France, He was 92 when we met him.' Peter added: 'I love unusual pubs, pubs with something that makes them stand out. Pubs full of character and antiques. We love our real ales but we also try the stouts and milds.' Peter also backed The Mirror 's Save Our Pubs campaign - which calls for a "fighting fund" to help struggling pubs, recognising good pubs are the heart of the community. The campaign is crucial because pub closures have a significant impact on communities, leading to job losses and the loss of important social spaces. More than 400 pubs closed for good in England and Wales last year meaning the number of locals has dropped below 39,000 for the first time. Peter said: 'The local pub is vital in so many areas. You can meet for a chat and a laugh. But the prices are ridiculous now. You can pay £7 for a pint. 'There's the business costs, the taxes, the minimum wage doesn't help. Landlords have to cover the costs and it's a shame so many are closing. The government does need to do more to help.' Peter's top five pubs: Yew Tree Inn, Caulden Staffs: 'You've got to see it to believe it. It's fantastic, full of antiques.' The Mug House, Claines, Worcester: 'A cracking old pub next to a church yard.' The Black Lion, Consall Forge, North Staffs: 'Amazing scenery, next to an old steam railway and canal. It was hard to find, but it's easy now with Sat Nav.' The Rising Sun, Tipton: 'My local, I can't leave that out.' Payton Arms, Stoke Lyne, Oxfordshire: 'A fantastic, unique place. If you like character and cobwebs, this is the one.'
Winnipeg Free Press
07-05-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Downtown bars, restaurants scoring with huge assist from Winnipeg Jets
The Winnipeg Jets aren't the only ones who are winning amid the NHL club's extended playoff run, which is set to continue with another home whiteout Wednesday night. It's been a boon to certain businesses — bars and restaurants, in particular — while flooding downtown with thousands of hockey fans, boosting energy and morale and showcasing the city to audiences around the world. 'Any time they are winning, there's more confidence and pride in the city,' said Dwight Benson, general manager of the Elephant & Castle Pub and Restaurant at 340 St. Mary Ave., a block south of Canada Life Centre. 'We've been full with a lineup outside (on game days), so it's great for business. We're just excited to see a long playoff run.' Businesses and fans are gearing up for Game 1 of the Jets' second-round clash with the Dallas Stars, after Sunday's thrilling Game 7, double-overtime win to end the St. Louis Blues' season. Ruth Bonneville / Free Press Dwight Benson, general manager of Elephant and Castle on their outdoor patio, which is decorated to promote the Jets during their White-out street parties. Winnipeg will host the first two games — Wednesday and Friday, both starting at 8:30 p.m. — and, if necessary, games 5 and 7. The Jets are in the second round for the first time since 2021. Each home game will see more than 15,000 fans fill the downtown arena, and 5,000 more will cram into whiteout parties on Donald Street. 'We've been full with a lineup outside (on game days), so it's great for business. We're just excited to see a long playoff run.' –Dwight Benson, general manager of the Elephant & Castle Others will watch on screens inside bars or restaurants such as the Elephant & Castle, which has additional staff working on game days. The pub extends its hours when the games have later-than-usual start times. Jets-themed decorations have been put up inside. Shot specials are delivered on a miniature hockey stick. Slogans, including 'Go Jets Go,' and caricatures of Jets players are painted on patio windows outside. They are among dozens of commercial windows painted by artist Rick Eastland since the playoffs began. The Jets' Game 7 win brought an uptick in customers. On Tuesday, he painted windows from about 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. before heading to his usual job as a courier. After his shift, he expected to resume painting until 10 p.m. The Jets' run is morphing into a unifying experience for the city, he said. 'The excitement is building,' Eastland said. 'It's transitioning into something the community rallies around.' At Devil May Care Brewing Co., business has been brisk during home and away game watch parties. The brewery and taproom, at 155-A Fort St., had to ramp up beer production due to increased sales. MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS FILES Devil May Care co-owner Colin Koop at his brewery at 155-A Fort St., which is bringing in food trucks for the upcoming Jets home games. 'We're brewing faster than we normally would right now,' co-owner Colin Koop said. The taproom is bringing in food trucks for the upcoming home games. Koop said Winnipeggers can sometimes 'get down' on the city as a whole, so he's pleased to see people so enthusiastic. The Jets' home playoff games have had evening puck drops, when most retail stores near the arena are closed. 'It's great for downtown and the city. I think it really is building on the pro-Canadian movement, our revived nationalism.' –Aimee Peake, owner of Bison Books Aimee Peake, who owns Bison Books at 424 Graham Ave., said she hopes the rise in foot traffic will help people discover businesses such as hers. 'I do think that people coming downtown, who don't normally come downtown, for the whiteout parties and the excitement that's going on are becoming familiar with the area, and might walk by,' she said. 'It's great for downtown and the city. I think it really is building on the pro-Canadian movement, our revived nationalism. This gives us two reasons to rally and support each other, and get together and celebrate some of the things that we identify with.' Kate Fenske, executive director of the Downtown Winnipeg Business Improvement Zone, said some fans are discovering businesses they weren't aware of. 'Overall, it's a huge win for businesses as the Jets keep winning, which we hope they do,' she said. Businesses and staff are focusing on providing great service because they want customers to return in the future, Fenske said. Downtown Winnipeg BIZ's enviro team is paying special attention to litter pickup, storefront pressure-washing and other tasks to get the area looking 'as best as we possibly can get it,' she said. Downtown resident Gary Jarvis has noticed cleaner and, on game nights, far busier streets, which he was encouraged to see. 'A lot of people are around, which is a good thing,' he said. 'Sometimes around this area, after 5 p.m. or 6 p.m., it's no man's land.' Jarvis said he hopes the experience changes perceptions about downtown safety and brings more attention to social issues in the area. A long playoff run could bring long-term benefits to the city. Economic Development Winnipeg's aim is to attract visitors, investments, conferences and events. Winnipeg Free Press | Newsletter Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Sign up for The Warm-Up 'How our city is perceived by those clients, by those decision-makers, the Jets' playoff run has an impact on putting Winnipeg on the map,' said Natalie Thiesen, the agency's vice-president of tourism. 'It allows us to facilitate those positive conversations about what makes Winnipeg a great place to invest, to visit, to meet. 'It allows us to spark a conversation about… our people, the pride and excitement, and how passionate Winnipeggers are not just about hockey, but the arts and other elements that make our community great.' Economic Development Winnipeg hired 10 social media content creators from key markets in Canada and the U.S. to promote the city during the playoffs. The posts had more than 58 million views and an 'earned media' value of almost $2 million, Thiesen said. Chris Kitching Reporter Chris Kitching is a general assignment reporter at the Free Press . He began his newspaper career in 2001, with stops in Winnipeg, Toronto and London, England, along the way. After returning to Winnipeg, he joined the Free Press in 2021, and now covers a little bit of everything for the newspaper. Read more about Chris. Every piece of reporting Chris produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press 's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press 's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates.
Winnipeg Free Press
06-05-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Downtown bars, restaurants scoring with huge assist from Jets
The Winnipeg Jets aren't the only ones who are winning amid the NHL club's extended playoff run, which is set to continue with another home whiteout Wednesday night. It's been a boon to certain businesses — bars and restaurants, in particular — while flooding downtown with thousands of hockey fans, boosting energy and morale and showcasing the city to audiences around the world. 'Any time they are winning, there's more confidence and pride in the city,' said Dwight Benson, general manager of the Elephant & Castle Pub and Restaurant at 340 St. Mary Ave., a block south of Canada Life Centre. 'We've been full with a lineup outside (on game days), so it's great for business. We're just excited to see a long playoff run.' Businesses and fans are gearing up for Game 1 of the Jets' second-round clash with the Dallas Stars, after Sunday's thrilling Game 7, double-overtime win to end the St. Louis Blues' season. Ruth Bonneville / Free Press Dwight Benson, general manager of Elephant and Castle on their outdoor patio which is decorated to promote the Jets during their White-out street parties. Winnipeg will host the first two games — Wednesday and Friday, both starting at 8:30 p.m. — and, if necessary, games 5 and 7. The Jets are in the second round for the first time since 2021. Each home game will see more than 15,000 fans fill the downtown arena, and 5,000 more will cram into whiteout parties on Donald Street. 'We've been full with a lineup outside (on game days), so it's great for business. We're just excited to see a long playoff run.' –Dwight Benson, general manager of the Elephant & Castle Others will watch on screens inside bars or restaurants such as the Elephant & Castle, which has additional staff working on game days. The pub extends its hours when the games have later-than-usual start times. Jets-themed decorations have been put up inside. Shot specials are delivered on a miniature hockey stick. Slogans, including 'Go Jets Go,' and caricatures of Jets players are painted on patio windows outside. They are among dozens of commercial windows painted by artist Rick Eastland since the playoffs began. The Jets' Game 7 win brought an uptick in customers. On Tuesday, he painted windows from about 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. before heading to his usual job as a courier. After his shift, he expected to resume painting until 10 p.m. The Jets' run is morphing into a unifying experience for the city, he said. 'The excitement is building,' Eastland said. 'It's transitioning into something the community rallies around.' At Devil May Care Brewing Co., business has been brisk during home and away game watch parties. The brewery and taproom, at 155-A Fort St., had to ramp up beer production due to increased sales. MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS FILES Devil May Care co-owner Colin Koop at his brewery at 155-A Fort Street which is bringing in food trucks for the upcoming Jets home games. 'We're brewing faster than we normally would right now,' co-owner Colin Koop said. The taproom is bringing in food trucks for the upcoming home games. Koop said Winnipeggers can sometimes 'get down' on the city as a whole, so he's pleased to see people so enthusiastic. The Jets' home playoff games have has evening puck drops, when most retail stores near the arena are closed. 'It's great for downtown and the city. I think it really is building on the pro-Canadian movement, our revived nationalism.' –Aimee Peake, owner of Bison Books Aimee Peake, who owns Bison Books at 424 Graham Ave., said she hopes the rise in foot traffic will help people discover businesses such as hers. 'I do think that people coming downtown, who don't normally come downtown, for the whiteout parties and the excitement that's going on are becoming familiar with the area, and might walk by,' she said. 'It's great for downtown and the city. I think it really is building on the pro-Canadian movement, our revived nationalism. This gives us two reasons to rally and support each other, and get together and celebrate some of the things that we identify with.' Kate Fenske, executive director of the Downtown Winnipeg Business Improvement Zone, said some fans are discovering businesses they weren't aware of. 'Overall, it's a huge win for businesses as the Jets keep winning, which we hope they do,' she said. Businesses and staff are focusing on providing great service because they want customers to return in the future, Fenske said. Downtown Winnipeg BIZ's enviro team is paying special attention to litter pickup, storefront pressure-washing and other tasks to get the area looking 'as best as we possibly can get it,' she said. Downtown resident Gary Jarvis has noticed cleaner and, on game nights, far busier streets, which he was encouraged to see. 'A lot of people are around, which is a good thing,' he said. 'Sometimes around this area, after 5 p.m. or 6 p.m., it's no man's land.' Jarvis said he hopes the experience changes perceptions about downtown safety and brings more attention to social issues in the area. A long playoff run could bring long-term benefits to the city. Economic Development Winnipeg's aim is to attract visitors, investments, conferences and events. Winnipeg Free Press | Newsletter Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Sign up for The Warm-Up 'How our city is perceived by those clients, by those decision-makers, the Jets' playoff run has an impact on putting Winnipeg on the map,' said Natalie Thiesen, the agency's vice-president of tourism. 'It allows us to facilitate those positive conversations about what makes Winnipeg a great place to invest, to visit, to meet. 'It allows us to spark a conversation about… our people, the pride and excitement, and how passionate Winnipeggers are not just about hockey, but the arts and other elements that make our community great.' Economic Development Winnipeg hired 10 social media content creators from key markets in Canada and the U.S. to promote the city during the playoffs. The posts had more than 58 million views and an 'earned media' value of almost $2 million, Thiesen said. Chris Kitching Reporter Chris Kitching is a general assignment reporter at the Free Press . He began his newspaper career in 2001, with stops in Winnipeg, Toronto and London, England, along the way. After returning to Winnipeg, he joined the Free Press in 2021, and now covers a little bit of everything for the newspaper. Read more about Chris. Every piece of reporting Chris produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press 's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press 's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates.
