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Picture source: Stephen Harris

The Red Lion was situated at 640 High Road. This pub was established by 1670, when it was called the Robin Hood, becoming the Red Lion by 1754.  It was a Truman’s pub from at least 1873.  The pub was rebuilt in 1891, when it was acquired by the Cannon Brewery, later passing to Ind Coope.  In the 1970s it became very well-known as a live music venue and is famous locally as being the venue for one of Led Zeppelin’s first London gigs.  Other notable bands to have played here include Yes, Genesis and Roxy Music, plus local heroes Atomic Rooster.  It suffered a rather undistinguished period in the 1980s as Luthers and by 2001 had become the Red Lion – Cuba Bella, a ‘Salsa Bar’.  New ownership in 2002 saw another name change to Zulu’s, a late night pub aimed squarely at the area’s growing South African population.  More of a nightclub than a pub, this era came to an end in January 2010 and this landmark pub now lies empty.

The Red Lion has now been bought by a pub owning company called Antic who state it will be run as a proper pub. It is scheduled to reopen later in 2011.

Colin Price (March 2011)

This pub reopened in June 2011.

Colin Price (July 2011)

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Contacts

Were you a customer, publican or member of staff at this pub? Display your email contact details on this page by adding them here and let past regulars get in touch with you.

Name	Dates	Comments
Beverley Chadd	1980s	I was the chef. Landlords.. Mark and Tracy, sorry can't remember the surname. They moved on to Norfolk and I have lost touch. Would be good to catch up with them again.