This month, The George Tavern marks its 21st anniversary under the ownership of Pauline Forster, celebrating two decades of rock'n'roll perseverance against closure threats. Their milestone celebration features a star-studded lineup, including performances and appearances from Geese, John Cooper Clarke, and Jeremy Corbyn. Julia Bottoms interviews landlady Pauline Forster along with The George’s in-house booker, Katie Craik.
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“I once had Kate Moss photographed on this bed. There’s a renowned photo of Grace Jones taken over there, where she posed at a desk. Recently, David Byrne shot his latest cover story in the other room,” Pauline remarks as we chat upstairs in The George Tavern. She’s the proud owner of one of London's most essential music and arts venues, which has stood as a cultural hub and a celebrity hotspot for 21 years.
Pauline gives me a tour of the property; her private rooms are located above the iconic ground-floor pub. The Georgian-era building, which has grade II listing, features stripped walls, exposed wooden ceilings, and an eclectic mix of vintage furniture and decorative tiling. The venue exudes a shabby charm and a cozy atmosphere. “The building plays a big role; it's not corporate, it feels natural and organic,” Pauline explains. “People sense the vibe when they enter and fall in love with it – it becomes a favorite spot.” Even though it's situated on a main road, it's surprisingly serene inside. However, this peacefulness is usually fleeting—most days, the downstairs teems with soundchecks, the lively sounds of karaoke nights and pub quizzes, or the vibrant energy of club nights and midnight rockers.
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While a tavern has occupied this spot for about 600 years, this September signifies 21 years since Pauline first stepped inside, immediately captivated by its historic beauty, leading her to buy it despite lacking prior pub management experience. To celebrate The George’s coming of age this month, a series of events will feature familiar faces alongside newcomers, including performances by John Cooper Clarke, NYC’s Geese, and a special talk from Jeremy Corbyn. The venue's musical guestbook has significantly expanded thanks to in-house booker Katie Craik, who took over from Francis Albrecht a few years back. Drawing from her extensive background as a dedicated London gig-goer, Katie has transitioned The George from a grassroots community space to a venue that attracts major labels and big promoters. She shares that demand this month has been immense, with events selling out in mere minutes.
The George's rich history has welcomed many stars, establishing a reputation as a cultural playground. Its charming appeal has attracted artists like Nick Cave and King Krule, who have filmed music videos there (one even features Pauline as a life-sized cactus), while celebrities like Barry Keoghan, Grandmaster Flash, and Justin Timberlake have been photographed within its confines. A wall of fame to the left of the bar displays photos of Pauline with figures such as Amy Winehouse, Louis Theroux, and Ian McKellen, among others. However, as Katie notes, the sweat and condensation from King Krule's recent performance have caused many of the images on the wall to fall off, leaving some empty spaces. Nevertheless, there are still plenty of tributes remaining.
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This month also highlights 21 years of tireless legal struggles against developers and local authorities. Over the last two decades, Pauline has opposed over 300 planning applications, most notably a nine-year legal battle against the now-defunct Swan Housing Association. In collaboration with the Tower Hamlets council, Swan aimed to construct luxury flats on the site of the abandoned nightclub Stepneys, linked to the pub by a single entrance. If this had materialized, a solitary noise complaint from a resident could have jeopardized The George’s 3 am music license.
Following the lengthy struggle, the Court of Appeal overturned Swan Housing's plans in 2016. Additionally, the company ceased to exist after it was found to have forged documents in an attempt to secure £50 million in grants. “If any of us stole £20, we’d probably be treated harshly,” Pauline remarks dryly. She possesses video evidence of when Swan violently forced entry into her upstairs residence, where she had been living at the time. “They broke into my home with axes. It was the worst experience I’ve had here – it felt so personal, and in my private space. They mocked me, called me crazy, and poked at me. It was incredibly unsettling, I was traumatized.” Swan Housing faced no criminal charges.
Nevertheless, Pauline’s staunch determination in resisting profit-driven developers has kept The George standing firm against daunting challenges. Originally a visual artist from Gloucestershire, who relocated to London in the 2000s, Pauline is warm, quick-witted, and generous with her time in showing me around her home. Her past work reflects her creative and boundary-pushing perspective, such as her celebrated performance
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This month, The George Tavern marks its 21st anniversary under the ownership of Pauline Forster, celebrating 21 years of rock’n’roll endurance in the face of challenges.