All Too Early Closing
Last Sunday was a very sad day for me and many others who frequented, or worked, at the Keystone: it closed for good. There had been a few rumours over the preceding month but it was only formerly announced on Tuesday and then closed just five days later. It was very much one of my go-to pubs in Liverpool so will create a big hole for my visits into town. I've read books there, listed to music, written stories, and of course played some music too. My Thursdays in particular will be much the poorer with the demise of the pub and John Witherspoon's open mic.
There is hope that the open mic will move to another local pub. I hope it can.
The Keystone garden.
The venue has gone through several iterations over the years, probably most notably the Clove Hitch, but opened last year as the Keystone when the pubs were only allowed to serve in outdoor settings. Its garden at the back made the place one of the few ale places available during this time. I found it early doors in those initial daft cold months of those stupid rules and fell for the place immediately.
A pint in the conservatory. Very good place to write.
I used the indoors for writing a few times. It was a good environment for it and the music didn't tend to be too loud.
A burger and a pint before going to the Arts Club for the Magic Numbers gig.
The Tempo roasts were mega.
They went through a few in house food providers like Boffo Burger and more recently Tempo kitchen. Those burgers were lovely, and the Sunday lunches by Tempo were awesome.
There was always a great mix of people in the pub. Locals, regulars, and some students (thankfully not too many of them of course). There were plenty of events that used the Keystone. In addition to the open mic there were regular quizzes, open mic comedy, film nights and Meet the Brewer events. All the people involved in this will miss the Key all the more.
Which Scrivener project to open? When the weather was okay you could write outdoors too.
It was such a shame to see if go from my perspective but of course it was worse for the staff. It was good to hear that Charley, Ryan, Ben, Jess and all were able to get at least some work in other places within the week of being told of the closure. And I can only wish them all the best for the future. The beer, the music, the events and the food all made the place but the staff truly made it a great place to go.
Went to the Keystone on the last afternoon to help drink the place dry. You have to pitch in at times like this.
Farewell to the Keystone and good luck to all who sailed in her. Now, what am I doing on Thursday?
There is hope that the open mic will move to another local pub. I hope it can.
The Keystone garden.
The venue has gone through several iterations over the years, probably most notably the Clove Hitch, but opened last year as the Keystone when the pubs were only allowed to serve in outdoor settings. Its garden at the back made the place one of the few ale places available during this time. I found it early doors in those initial daft cold months of those stupid rules and fell for the place immediately.
A pint in the conservatory. Very good place to write.
I used the indoors for writing a few times. It was a good environment for it and the music didn't tend to be too loud.
A burger and a pint before going to the Arts Club for the Magic Numbers gig.
The Tempo roasts were mega.
They went through a few in house food providers like Boffo Burger and more recently Tempo kitchen. Those burgers were lovely, and the Sunday lunches by Tempo were awesome.
There was always a great mix of people in the pub. Locals, regulars, and some students (thankfully not too many of them of course). There were plenty of events that used the Keystone. In addition to the open mic there were regular quizzes, open mic comedy, film nights and Meet the Brewer events. All the people involved in this will miss the Key all the more.
Which Scrivener project to open? When the weather was okay you could write outdoors too.
It was such a shame to see if go from my perspective but of course it was worse for the staff. It was good to hear that Charley, Ryan, Ben, Jess and all were able to get at least some work in other places within the week of being told of the closure. And I can only wish them all the best for the future. The beer, the music, the events and the food all made the place but the staff truly made it a great place to go.
Went to the Keystone on the last afternoon to help drink the place dry. You have to pitch in at times like this.
Farewell to the Keystone and good luck to all who sailed in her. Now, what am I doing on Thursday?