Dick Hatts 1 Posted May 9, 2008 Report Share Posted May 9, 2008 Anyone used to go in Bobby Browns, or before it was called that The Empire. Re-opened as Bobby Browns in 1989 I think. I used to collect glasses there. My 1st job. I recall that when re-opening they planned to call it The Empire stikes back :-) much better name I reckon. Maybe George Lucas objected! Of course it's been squashed now and replaced by some new orage brick building. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
zab 47 Posted May 9, 2008 Report Share Posted May 9, 2008 Which road was this on? The only Empire I remember is the pub that was on Mansfield Road, which has also been demolished. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dick Hatts 1 Posted May 9, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 9, 2008 Which road was this on? The only Empire I remember is the pub that was on Mansfield Road, which has also been demolished. That's the very place. Right next to the BBC as was. Hence Bobby Browns Cafe. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
zab 47 Posted May 9, 2008 Report Share Posted May 9, 2008 In that case I do go in there occasionally, it was a handy little venue when you lived in the Vic Centre. We sometimes used to meet up there on a Saturday night, they also used to put bands on occasionally. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dick Hatts 1 Posted May 9, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 9, 2008 In that case I do go in there occasionally, it was a handy little venue when you lived in the Vic Centre. We sometimes used to meet up there on a Saturday night, they also used to put bands on occasionally. Yes they used to have bands on in the week and sometimes Sundays. Saw The Levellers there before they were succesful. Also Indie band Ride, remember them. The lead singer is in Oasis now playing bass I think. Also Viv Stanshall, Sam Brown and Wholesome Fish seemed to live there. I think they're still going. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
radfordred 6,284 Posted May 10, 2008 Report Share Posted May 10, 2008 Just dug out my Going Blank Again album ........cracking stuff . Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Craig Strongman 13 Posted May 18, 2008 Report Share Posted May 18, 2008 Anyone used to go in Bobby Browns, or before it was called that The Empire.Re-opened as Bobby Browns in 1989 I think. I used to collect glasses there. My 1st job. I recall that when re-opening they planned to call it The Empire stikes back :-) much better name I reckon. Maybe George Lucas objected! Of course it's been squashed now and replaced by some new orage brick building. My dentist Amarjit Gill, was either the owner, or part owner, and I recall doing a gig for him there, playing the sort of music I was "famous"? for on Trent. I dont think it was an overly busy night though Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mick2me 3,033 Posted May 18, 2008 Report Share Posted May 18, 2008 Just dug out my Going Blank Again album ........cracking stuff . http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Going_Blank_Again Never heard (of) it? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
zab 47 Posted May 18, 2008 Report Share Posted May 18, 2008 There used to be a cracking local band that played there from time to time (or maybe it was just once) - who remembers The Chettles? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dick Hatts 1 Posted May 21, 2008 Author Report Share Posted May 21, 2008 My dentist Amarjit Gill, was either the owner, or part owner, and I recall doing a gig for him there, playing the sort of music I was "famous"? for on Trent. I dont think it was an overly busy night though That's right, co owner with Jim Fisher. Amarjit is my bro in law. Re The Chettles. Steve from The Chettles started Confetti studios behind the Palais. Still runs it as far as I know. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
radfordred 6,284 Posted June 13, 2009 Report Share Posted June 13, 2009 Yes they used to have bands on in the week and sometimes Sundays.Saw The Levellers there before they were succesful. Also Indie band Ride, remember them. The lead singer is in Oasis now playing bass I think. Also Viv Stanshall, Sam Brown and Wholesome Fish seemed to live there. I think they're still going. Wholesome Fish take the stage today @ Dunkirk and Lenton Community Festival...........and its FREE . Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Craig Strongman 13 Posted June 13, 2009 Report Share Posted June 13, 2009 That's right, co owner with Jim Fisher.Amarjit is my bro in law. Re The Chettles. Steve from The Chettles started Confetti studios behind the Palais. Still runs it as far as I know. Dawns brother? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dick Hatts 1 Posted January 26, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 26, 2012 Bit late replying sorry, but yes, Dawn's brother. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Big Mac 12 Posted July 7, 2012 Report Share Posted July 7, 2012 When Bobby Brown's opened it seemed a bit ahead of its time. It was real trendy -- a big place with loads of choices of beers. Don't know why it closed. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
.... 23 Posted July 8, 2012 Report Share Posted July 8, 2012 Here it is as The Empire in 1985. http://www.picturethepast.org.uk/frontend.php?keywords=Ref_No_increment;EQUALS;NTGM004043&pos=8&action=zoom&id=55491 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cliff Ton 10,435 Posted July 8, 2012 Report Share Posted July 8, 2012 I remember it as Bobby Brown's, but apparently before that it was known as The Roebuck; the name which Wetherspoon's used for their place on St James's Street Quote Link to post Share on other sites
.... 23 Posted July 8, 2012 Report Share Posted July 8, 2012 I think I remember it as The Roebuck (mentions that name on the link). Not sure I was ever tempted to pass over the threshold in the 70s/80s, it didn't look that appealing from outside if I remember correctly. On a personal note, as a Mansfield Road 'veteran', I view most of the pubs on that side of the road similarly! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Paulus 541 Posted July 8, 2012 Report Share Posted July 8, 2012 The Roebuck in the late 70's was run by a woman called Maxie, who dressed in men's clothes & wore comfortable shoes, if you get my drift. There were 2 bars in the Roebuck, right hand bar was 'straight', left hand bar was 'gay' , my mate big Doug used to have his shirts handmade, & would pass them on to Maxie once he'd tired of them. We (my bother Peteus, Doug & self) would visit the Roebuck most Sunday evenings on our regular 'pub tour', & once were invited to 'savour' the atmosphere of the left hand bar, what an eye opener!! Some drag queens, some pvc, lots of guys dressed similar to the Village People, with drooping moustaches....................very stereotypical of the times..................... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
.... 23 Posted July 9, 2012 Report Share Posted July 9, 2012 I'm reliably informed by a couple of worthies and ex-regulars tonight that the timeline of names went something like: The Roebuck Old Moores Taven/Moores Tavern The Empire Bobby Browns Maxie was remembered! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Paulus 541 Posted July 9, 2012 Report Share Posted July 9, 2012 Maxie was unforgettable...................do your contacts know, is she still around? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
radfordred 6,284 Posted July 21, 2012 Report Share Posted July 21, 2012 Saw The Levellers there before they were succesful Looking forward to The Levellers @ Splendour today anyone else going ? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Craig Strongman 13 Posted August 22, 2013 Report Share Posted August 22, 2013 Bit late replying sorry, but yes, Dawn's brother. Me too! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jeff Goatcher 0 Posted March 3, 2019 Report Share Posted March 3, 2019 I was a student and worked in York House, 1994-7, and 1999-till we got chucked out and moved to Chaucer. A much missed landmark for me. We got let up onto the roof for the total eclipse - that was really spooky; it got freezing cold for a minute or two. Does anybody remember seeing Kevin Coyne play in Bobby Brown's? I also remember a great café on Goldsmith Street, before NTU pulled them all down to build the Boots Library, anyone remember what that was called? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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