Home > London > W11 > Tavistock Arms Tavistock Arms

Picture source: Darkstar

The Tavistock Arms was situated at 41 Tavistock Crescent. This pub closed in 2009 and was demolished c2010 (see site in photo below).

This pub was the Frog & Firkin in the 1980's, the first of David Bruce's chain of pub-breweries. To avoid any confusion, I believe this name was later used for The Elgin on Ladbroke Grove nearby.

Phil Wood (March 2012)

This pub appeared in the film "Withnail & I" as The Mother Black Cap.

Mark Godfrey (September 2012)

The Frog was not in fact the first pub in the David Bruce pub brewery chain. That distinction went to The Goose & Firkin in the Borough area of south London, not far from the South Bank University (polytechnic, as it was in those days). I was the person who wrote the pub’s t-shirt slogan “Frog ‘ods sake buy me a Firkin pint” for which I was rewarded with a firkin of beer!

Graham Cox (June 2018)

Do you have any anecdotes, historical information, updates or photos of this pub? Become a contributor by submitting them here. Like this site? Follow us on

Other Photos

Picture source: T C

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
Grant McPhie	1980/1983	I was the publican of the Frog and Firkin in Tavistock Crescent from 1980 until 1983. I left the Frog and Firkin to return to New Zealand, at the time when David and Louise Bruce sold the pub (chain) to Andy MacDonald (the groups accountant). Prior to taking over the running of the Frog and Firkin I was the assistant manager of the Fox and Firkin in Lewisham. I would be keen to hear any further information connected to this pub or David Bruce.
Dominic O'Brien	1980s	I used to pop in this pub in the early 80's and it used to brew beer on the premises. David Bruce is now associated with the West Berks brewery near Newbury.