CRYPT TAVERN Pubs of Dover

DOVER KENT ARCHIVES

PUB LIST

PUBLIC HOUSES

Barry Smith and Paul Skelton

Earliest 1964

Crypt Tavern

Latest 1977

10 Bench Street

Picture circa 1980.

ONE main street frontage that disappeared in 1985 was that of The Crypt in Bench Street. The Rabb Inn-owned bar was so seriously damaged by fire in 1977 that it never re-opened and became a disgrace to the town. So, eventually, the new owners decided to demolish the building under which was the crypt of what some historians held to be the 900-year-old Flemish church of St Nicholas with Norman arches.

Above and below Crypt Tavern 1981 photo by Barry Smith.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 4 July, 1952.

THE NEW "CRYPT" OPENS

Alterations and minor improvements now in progress at the "Crypt Restaurant" which has been closed temporarily, have resulted in the opening of the restaurant known as the "Shakespeare Lounge," adjoining the Shakespeare Buffet, in Bench Street.

In a totally different style, the lounge which was last in use as an amusement arcade, has been attractively furnished and decorated and includes a large entrance hall where patrons may wait, a small but luxurious cocktail bar, and a dining room which lacks none of the atmosphere which made the "Crypt" so popular. An interesting feature for Dovorians is the polished wood floor in the dining room, which was taken from the old Granville Gardens roller skating rink about twenty years ago.

The lounge was opened essentially as a substitute for the "Crypt," which will be closed for a few weeks. Business will be resumed in the "Crypt" and if there is sufficient demand he Lounge will also remain open.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News. 17 May, 1963.

The Crypt's Future

Dover's internationally famous restaurant, The Crypt, may be purchased, it is understood, by one of the largest catering firms in the country.

The sale, expected to be completed shortly, will probably include the "Shakespeare Bars" which adjoin The "Crypt" with its underground restaurant.

The present owner, Mr. J. P. Watts, a restaurateur of Exeter, bought the "Crypt" and "Shakespeare Bars" late last summer from Messrs. John Lukey and Sons the well known East Kent wine Mrchants. Mr. John Lukey - the grandfather of the last owner - started in business in Bench Street in 1853.

Up to a year ago, Mr. and Mrs. Norman Grace were the managers of the "Crypt" and "Shakespeare." The present manager is Mr. Julian Slattery.

Mr. Slattery this week refused to comment on the reported change of ownership of the premises.

Formerly the "George", "The Vine" and the "Shakespeare Hotel", it became the "Crypt Tavern" after a long and interesting history, in 1964. The new owners were Raberni Inns who reopened after extensive alterations plus the creation of new bars.

From the Dover Express 14 November 2002 by Bob Hollingsbee.

THIS old postcard from my collection shows the interior of the once popular Crypt Restaurant in Bench Street sadly now demolished after a disastrous fire - referred to by Jean Charman. Note the Bentwood chairs and tables of the restaurant in the ancient crypt. Under a strong glass the postcard photograph, posted in 1949, reveals that on the right-hand wall was a plaque which stated "Restored 1923-24, Contractor R.J. Barwick, architect Vernon Shone."

Information I have with the above photographs says late 40s, so either the information is incorrect or this was taken when the premises was still called the "Shakespeare Hotel."

Fire visited the premises several times during 1968 and 1969. No one outbreak being disastrous in itself but the cumulative results no doubt leaving scars.

Ownership passed to Rabb Inns in December 1971 and some years later, early one Sunday morning, the 27th March 1977, a passer by reported fire. The conflagration proved serious that time and although many of the residents escaped or were rescued, seven fatalities resulted including one of the firemen.

"The Crypt Tavern and Restaurant", with apartments over, were described subsequently as a mass of reams and passages which could be compared to a rabbit warren. The owners were refused permission to reinstate the damage in April 1981 but were authorised instead to demolish the remains in November 1982. It was April 1985 before that happened however and the site is still vacant in April 2007.

AT WORK: The crypt drawn by the vicar of St Mary's the Rev J. Maule

Archaeologists revealed crypt

THESE are pictures of the Bench Street crypt, not the crypt under the Shakespeare Hotel which in the main dates from 1924.

The drawing in 1836 was by the vicar of St Mary's, the Rev J Maule.

The early crypt was not part of St Nicholas Church nor was the tower, which disappeared when Bench Street was widened.

It only re-appeared when the archaeologists were clearing the ground for the underpass.

At the same time it was proved that the tower was a separate entity and was a defensive structure and at one time was used as a prison.

The Rev Maule shows it with a workman with a pickaxe.

The lower picture by James Tucker, dated 1912, shows a lady and gentleman inspecting the crypt and also giving a date of 1320.

The tower was a very solid building and needed a charge of gunpowder to demolish it.

St Nicholas Church is now accepted to have been a side chapel of St Martin le Grand.

Joe Harman.

CURIOUS COUPLE: James Tucker's picture of the crypt with the date of 1320.

The rest of these photos by Barry Smith show the Crypt being demolished in April 1985.

LICENSEE LIST

BROOK Stanley 1954

EVANS Mr and Mrs W J prior to 1956

GINGELL Reginald 1967-68

RABAIOTTI & BAMFORTH A J 1974 Rab Inns (Southern) Ltd

HEIL W F 1975

CLAY Colin A 1975-77 end

Library archives 1974

If anyone should have any further information, or indeed any pictures or photographs of the above licensed premises, please email:-

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