This year we are celebrating 100 Years of Serving Beers.
89 De Grey Street, Hull (De Grey Street pictured above in 1905) was built as a terraced house in the 1880s expansion of the City. In 1923 it was granted a liquor licence as ‘The Victory Club & Institute‘, an Ex-Servicemen’s sanctuary for WWI Veterans. From 1936 until 1971 it became a Working Mens Club called ‘The De Grey Club‘ followed by a short spell as a Civil Service Club from 71 to 79. Rob Tomlinson, proprietor, renamed the watering hole ‘The Adelphi Club‘ during his tenure from 1979 to 1981, whereafter Bruce Bramley took the reins from 81 to 84 adding the ‘New’ to ‘The New Adelphi Club‘. On October 1st 1984 Paul Jackson bought the club, kept the name, but changed the business direction with a focus on original live music. In 2022 the club was named UK Grassroots Venue of the Year.
It is also 100 years, on Monday, that the Intoxicating Liquor (Sale to Persons under Eighteen) Bill was introduced. Before 1923, a teenager could go into a pub at the age of 14 to buy and drink beer, perfectly legally; aged 16, he or she could also buy spirits.
On 24th February 1920 Nancy Astor stood alone amongst an audience of over 500, mainly hostile, male MPs to deliver her maiden speech, she was the first female member of Parliament. Her subject was close to her heart – the need for restrictions on the sale of alcohol. Her speech emphasised the damage it caused to women and children as well as the economic cost to the country.
In 1923 she introduced the Intoxicating Liquor (Sale to Persons under Eighteen) Bill, the first Private Member’s Bill by a woman to be passed and become an Act of Parliament (31st July 1923).
To this day alcohol cannot be sold to anyone under 18.
During her time in Parliament, Astor was an advocate for temperance, welfare, education reforms and women’s rights. She was also an ardent anti-Catholic and anti-communist, and received criticism for her antisemitism and sympathetic view of Nazism.
She was known for exchanges with Winston Churchill. Churchill told Lady Astor that having a woman in Parliament was like having one intrude on him in the bathroom, to which she retorted, “You’re not handsome enough to have such fears.”
Lady Astor is also said to have responded to a question from Churchill about what disguise he should wear to a masquerade ball by saying, “Why don’t you come sober, Prime Minister?”
Although variations on the following anecdote exist with different people, the story is being told of Winston Churchill’s encounter with Lady Astor who, after failing to shake him in an argument, broke off with the petulant remark, “Oh, if you were my husband, I’d put poison in your tea.” “Madame,” Winston responded, “if I were your husband, I’d drink it with pleasure.”
On another occasion, Lady Astor allegedly came upon Churchill, and he was highly intoxicated. She highly disapproved of alcohol, and she said to him “Winston, you’re drunk!” To which he replied “And you are ugly. However, when I wake up tomorrow, I shall be sober!”
On Wednesday 30th August we will celebrate 100 Years of serving Beers by selling 1920’s drinks at 1920’s prices*. Popular drinks of the 1920’s era included Real Ale and Gin (Lager accounted for less than 1% of UK drinks sales until it became popular in the late 60’s)
You could expect to pay 5d for a pint of beer in 1923 – the modern equivalent of about 73p today (using the retail price index).
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100 Years of Serving Beers Celebration
Wednesday 30th August at The New Adelphi Club
Real Ale £1 per pint
Gin Rickey (inc 25ml Gin) £1
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Gin Rickey
The gin rickey is a refreshing highball drink that dates back to the early 1900s. It’s a classic from the era – so much so that it’s still Washington D.C.’s official cocktail! The original likely contained bourbon or whiskey, because that was preferred before they started mixing up gin in bathtubs during Prohibition.
Gin
Lime juice
Soda
1 Lime wedge
*Terms & Conditions
Over 18’s only.
Drink Responsibly.
Limited stocks (2 casks & 10 bottles).
Available 30/08/2023 from 8pm to 11pm only.
The Club reserve the right to withdraw this offer at any time.
