The Gunmakers Pub in Eyre St Hill, off Clerkenwell Rd, EC1 is one of London’s most charming small pubs, steeped in local history.
Named after the merchant, Henry Simon Eyre, the Eyre St Hill Valley was adopted by Italian immigrants in the 18th and 19th centuries. Working as picture frame makers, guilders and organ builders they created their own Little Italy.
Number 13, now The Gunmakers, was built in the early 19th century, part of a terrace of houses that included the headquarters of the Italian firm of Chiappa who made automatic street pianos and fairground organs. Chiappa is still there today.
The Gunmakers was not built as a public house, but became one towards the end of the 19th century when beer drinking was promoted as a healthy alternative to gin!
In 1881 Hiram Maxim moved to London, establishing a small factory in nearby Hatton garden. Although best known for inventing the automatic machine gun, Maxim was a prolific inventor with a whole host of patents to his name, including curling irons and a coffee substitute.
The Victorian alehouse at Number 13 was named The Gunmakers in tribute to the achievements of Maxim and to this day continues the Italian tradition of serving home cooked food in a cozy atmosphere.
HISTORY
- At 00:47 BST, 3rd July 2009
Everyone's got their own beer code, says Eddie