The George and Vulture is a Grade II listed building in London that was built in 1748. There has been an inn on the site, which is off Lombard Street in the historic City of London district, since 1268. It was also said to be a meeting place of the notorious Hell-Fire Club.
It is mentioned at least 20 times in The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens, who frequently drank there himself. When it was threatened with demolition, Cedric Charles Dickens, the author’s great-grandson, campaigned to save it. Since 1950 it has been the headquarters of the City Pickwick Club and, in the same year, it became the venue for the Christmas Day Dickens family gathering, in the Dickens Room.
In fact the original inn was destroyed by the Great Fire. When it was rebuilt, the landlord agreed to lease part of it to a local wine merchant who’d lost his own shop. The only problem was his sign – a live vulture, which he promptly tethered above the entrance to the George. It’s squawking and flapping so alarmed customers that the leaseholders decided to absorb the name “vulture” and, after years of captivity, release the beast into the sky.
Today, the dusky wooden interior feels like a time capsule from the 18th century. The restaurant normally only opens for lunch, but we have agreed for an evening opening exclusively for us. We will have a three course meal consisting of Smoked salmon, 8oz Sirloin steak with vegetables followed by Sticky date pudding & ice cream – naturally washed down with wine.
So come and dine with us and enjoy a bit of history.
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Venue: The George & Vulture, 3 Castle Court, EC3V 9D
Time: 7.00pm
Mobility Rating: 1
Nearest Tube: Bank – 5 minutes
Dress: Casual
Price p/person: £65.00 Members Guests £70.00
Organiser: Roger Ellis: Tel 01494 837857
Email: roger.ellis@iwfs.co.uk
Bookings
Bookings are closed for this event. Please contact the organiser for last-minute places.