Back in my 20s in the 2000s there was a bar I used to drink in that I remember to have excellent live music within its walls with open mic nights and guest musicians from all over the world – best bar in town at that time and would be very hard to beat today to. Located at 11 St. David’s Hill, Exeter, EX4 3RG. I happened to live and work on the same road at the time and so much chaotic merriment was had in said pub. I have tried to cram a lot of songs into one post today but there were just so many good musicians I wanted to honour them all in one place.
History and Timeline
- Early History: Originally operating under names like the New Ship Inn and the North Bridge Inn, the site has 19th-century origins with various historical owners and licensees (such as Samuel Gubb, John Chalk, and the Beer family).
- Free House Era & Music: By the 2000s, it operated as a popular free house known for cask ales, darts/euchre teams, and a vibrant live music and DJ scene (frequently partnering with Phonic FM). [1, 2, 3]
- Closure & Later Names:
- The pub officially closed at the end of December 2012 / January 2013.
Some of the musicians that I saw ands heard play there are some of the finest musicians I have ever heard play and I will try and put some songs up here to reflect what they sang and show just how great they are.
Nuala lived in Exeter for a time in the 2000s and so we would sometimes be treated to her singing songs on the open mic night or with her in her band Nuala & the Alchemy Quartet.
Dan Donnelly (known by his handle or project name Sonovagun / @dansonovagun) is a Northern Irish singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and session/touring musician.
Niall Connolly is an acclaimed Irish indie-folk singer-songwriter and storyteller. Born in Cork, Ireland, in 1977, he moved to New York City in 2006 and is currently based in Rockaway, Queens.
An acclaimed Australian singer-songwriter and troubadour known for his deep, gravelly baritone voice. Operating primarily in the Americana, alt-country, folk, and blues genres, he has been performing globally for over 30 years.
David Rovics is an American indie folk punk singer-songwriter, podcaster, and political activist based in Portland, Oregon. Described as a “professional flat-picking rabble-rouser,” his music acts as a vehicle for sharp social commentary, heavily focusing on labor history, anti-globalization, anti-war advocacy, and social justice.
3 Daft Monkeys is a world-music-influenced acoustic band from Cornwall, UK, known for their upbeat festival performances and genre-defying sound.
Though I did not see the Levellers play at the North Bridge Inn I did have a good chat and drink one evening with Mark Chadwick the lead singer of the Levellers when he popped in one night for a pint while in Exeter for the Beautiful Days festival the The Levellers ran.
