The Vaults was born out of an idea from myself who, together with Bill Allingham and property owner, Simon Postlethwaite, opened in Simon’s ex- nightclub basement in 1996. It was the only real ale only pub in Leicester at the time (although they did sell one lager labelled ‘Euro Piss’).
Barry Lount
Collage above, some of the Blues bands that played at the Vaults. Greg Wright was Michael Jackson’s lead guitarist. Many others that played there included the Mick Pini Band, Angela Brown, The Producers and Aynsley Lister, The Mighty 45s and the DTs were regulars at the Sunday Blues nights at the Vaults. Around one hundred bands played here during 1996-1999. To me some of the happiest days running a pub. It bought my passions of real ale and Blues music together.
BL
‘Sunday Blues’ became most popular with 200 plus crowded into the Vaults basement to see the top of the countries blues bands
All good things come to an end and, after six years, with no new lease agreed, the owners of the property (no doubt buoyed by the Vault’ success), put the property up for sale at a price of £450,000. The award winning Vaults was to close, which had real ale drinkers crying in their beer. A new venue was searched for but as one customer observed, ‘I don’t think anywhere will be as unique as the Vaults.’
An underwhelming report (LM), on the Atlantis bar that replaced the Vaults. It was never going to be easy, even the Vaults resonated with students and the weekenders, who thought it a step back in time. For me, it was the best experience I ever had owning a bar: lovely crowd – never made any money but I loved my time with the Vaults. I miss it to this day.
BL
Anyhow, not surprisingly Atlantis didn’t last: nothing wrong with it, just didn’t suit its location. The Basement Bar followed.
The Basement taped into the all night crowd and after five years still going strong. Somewhat reverting to its pre Vaults days.
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