A place where MK supposedly hangs

[knopfling]

http://www.beestontoday.co.uk/news/Grove-Inn-Holbeck-watering-hole.4496466.jp

Grove Inn: Holbeck watering hole is voted Leeds's pub of the year

Published Date: 16 September 2008
By Peter Lazenby
A Holbeck pub which was once threatened with demolition has been chosen by hundreds of beer enthusiasts as the best of the 600 in Leeds.

Nestling amidst towering new offices and looked down on from the giant Bridgewater Place the Grove Inn in Holbeck has become an institution among beer buffs.

Among its many admirers is musician Mark Knopfler who regularly travels from his home in Chelsea, London, for impromptu musical sessions in the Leeds boozer.

It is one of the district's few remaining West Riding "corridor" pubs, consisting of rooms linked by a narrow corridor which is also used for drinking.

It specialises in serving real ale

[superval99]

I have already replied to this on MKNews Forum.  I live in Leeds and have visited the Grove many times.  I know that MK visited the Grove in the past and that he met there with Steve and Brendan in 1986 to establish NHB, but I have no reason to think that he still regularly visits the Grove, in fact I think we would have heard something about it here!  My next-door neighbour actually plays there a few times a week and has never mentioned MK, even though he knows I am a great fan!  I am taking this with a pinch of salt!    BTW It is a great little pub!   

[knopfling]

That's why I said "supposedly hangs," but thanks for the information Val. At least it's a part of MK history.

[Millionaire Blues]

I have heard rumours that he plays there now and then from a decent source!

[superval99]

Who is that, MB?

[Pottel]

huh?
who is up there next, with some edirol HR09???

[Ian Lewis]

Sounds like 5:15am, some chap coming up from London in his Benz to a northern town...

[superval99]

I suppose I must sound pretty sceptical about this story, that's because I am!  I have lots of friends who frequent The Grove regularly every week and my neighbour who plays there, but they have never seen MK or can even say if he has been there recently.   The last occasion he was there that I know of was around 1992 when he was playing a gig not far from Leeds and he, apparently, called in at The Grove.   Of course "regularly" can mean anything from once a week to once every ten or fifteen years, so I would like someone to just tell us, please, "When was the last time MK dropped in at the Grove?"   I want to hear about more recent occasions, if they exist, other than the one time I have heard about numerous times!  Other people must have been there too and I would love to know what happened, what he played etc.  So, if anyone has some recent info, stop being coy and spill the beans! 

If I am wrong about this, I apologise.   

[Waterline Man]

I'm going to London next month & we're staying in the Chelsea/Fulham/Kensington area so if he's available for a few pints I'll see what I can do

MK  8)if you're out there PM me

[superval99]

I know I can depend on you WM! 

[superval99]

OK, I just rang the Grove for some hard evidence, but they were rather vague about the whole thing.  The last time they remembered him being there was around 2 years ago to meet up with Steve, other than that they couldn't tell me more!  It was lunch-time when I rang, though, and the pub was obviously very busy! 

[Simon]

If MK really did hang out there I don't think he would be too pleased at being used as a marketing ploy to get more customers - and if he really did frequent the place he would probably find someplace else to go to avoid all the fans that would turn up and ruin his 'quiet' evening.

[jacki]

Guy has just pretty much answered the question on his forum. About the Grove, that is!!

[Simon]

What was his response?

[superval99]

Read Guy's Forum!