This was the place, as the Il Rondo in the 1960s was not a traditional pub, more a dance hall and music venue – describing it as that does not do it justice. In the history of entertainment in Leicester the Il Rondo not only rivaled the Palaise de Dance, but surpassed it by miles for the sheer atmosphere and buzz. Names such as Fleetwood Mac, the Yardbirds, Rolling Stones, the Who, Howling Wolf, and many more blues greats played the Il Rondo. A small yet intimate venue with a capacity of 400 max, there are no apologies for including it in the pub section. Silver Street in the 1960s has been described as Leicester’s Carnaby Street – a slight exaggeration, perhaps, but if you lived through that period you all know what I mean.
Barry Lount
Two or three doors away from the Antelope in Silver Street a small backwater off of High Street became a Mecca for the young, doesn’t look much here, not a corporate image but most iconic music venues weren’t. Different nights different music, Rock to Jazz, for a time in the early 60’s the Abracadabra Jazz Club became a popular night at the IL Rondo. Trad Jazz had a following in Leicester from the late 1950’s but seemed to move venues regularly. Where as rock was a staple diet if not by DJs but groups themselves from the Teddy boy era through to the mods, all at the IL Rondo
After the heady days of the Il Rondo during the 1960s, there seems to be a gap in the building use before (JR) records the Cuban Bar. Asquith’s opened up during the 1970s (see undated photo below). It was possibly followed by the Snooty Fox circa 1979. (Kim Gamble reports Snooty Fox came before Asquiths, teach me to always out put dates on my photographs, thanks Kim)
Clarifications on the fate of this site in the 1970s would be most welcome.
All changed to Prezzo chain, a pizza outlet. Now closed.
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Snooty Fox was before Asquiths, I started working in Asquiths in 1985 👍
Many thanks for putting me right on that Kim, will edit accordingly, appreciate your interest, Cheers Barry
Asquiths used to have a nightclub upstairs called “The Club”. Asquiths used to open at 9am for tea/coffee and started serving alcohol at 11:00am until 3:00pm, afternoon tea untill 7pm and alcohol until 11pm. The club opened at 9 pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday until 2am.
I used to be the cellerman and a bar operative from 1986 to 1988. Other staff included Hayley Smith (patsy Kensit lookalike) Rona (waiting staff) among many. Also had a one armed chef while I was there.
Hayley had a brother who worked in Churchills opposite and drove a VW beetle.
Thanks Jeffrey for that info, just what we are looking for to add to the history of each outlet. All helps to paint a picture !
I thought “snooty fox” was after Asquiths. I also worked at Asquiths (nightclub above called “the club”). 1997 to 1999. Push it by Salt n Pepsi in the charts. I was the cellerman and also barman during this time.
Thanks, I stand corrected, it was also pointed out to us by Kim
I went to the IL Rondo in from 1966 until it closed.
I worked in the snooty fox in 1983/84. Bentley’s night club upstairs. One of the first pubs with a video jukebox box.