The Dive Bar was below the old Portland Bars pub on Mosely Street, part of the Piccadilly Plaza hotel complex. Whereas the Portland Bars was a more traditional pub, the Dive Bar was a bit of a punks hangout, despite doing steak dinners (in the US, dive bars are of course the typical basement bar drunkard's hangouts). The bouncers on the door at the Dive Bar were apparently a couple of off-duty policemen who'd flash their warrant card to break up trouble [1]. Dive Bar opened in the 1960s and had a stint as Azura Bar, but not sure if it lasted as long as the upstairs pub, which only closed when the hotel complex was redeveloped in the '90s.
1. www.mdmarchive.co.uk.
The Portland Dive Bar was openm as early as 1968 to 1969.
ReplyDeleteCheers for the info, entry updated...
ReplyDeleteI recall having a few beers there over a period of time, before a change of job premises meant I hardly ever drank in the area again.
ReplyDeleteThis was in 1965.
I was the Ass bar Manager in 1966 of both the Portland Bar and the Dive Bar , your correct about the doorman being off duty police cos I used to pay them , each would get £8 per night and they did solve any problems
ReplyDeleteDid it have a mirrored ceiling?
ReplyDelete