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All information provided by Nick Saunders - It was an establishment that was run by Lipman Lipman (4th great grandad) from 1845 – 1850s (he also run the King of Prussia during this period). Now at 21a Catherine Street, it was rebuilt in 1879. From the Inventory it had 3 upper floors with 3 iron balconies, nearly facing Drury Lane Theatre.
it was situated next door to The Sheridan Knowles / Opera Tavern.
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The Elysium, Brydges Street, Covent Garden
Illustrated by Simon Lewis and Kindly provided by Nick Saunders
The Elysium' Wine Rooms, Brydge Street, Covent Garden
This Saloon keeps up its original character of a first-rate resort of ladies and gents, and has been newly decorated and improved , under the very able Mr. Lipman, its present proprietor.
Residents at this address
1837 – The Idler, and Breakfast-table Companion – Elysium!-such is the euphonous, and seductive name given to a suite of elegant Supper-Rooms, just opened at the establishment of Mr. HUMPHREY, in Brydges Street, nearly facing Drury Lane theatre. We popped in there, on Monday evening, on our return from the Queen’s, and have every reason to speak well of “mine host,” and the bountiful provision he had made for his visitors. We would particularly direct attention to the large and beautifully decorated room, level with the shop, and facing the entrance. The paintings on the walls represent a variety of Continental scenes, which are well executed; and, in one part of the room, stands, boldly prominent, a likeness of the immortal TAGLIONI.
1837 - The Idler, and Breakfast-table Companion – Elysium, Brydges Street. Nearly opposite Drury Lane Theatre.
THESE SPACIOUS AND ELEGANT SUPPER ROOMS,
Which are now open to the public, will be found replete with every comfort and accommodation that can be required by persons visiting the Theatres, and other places of public resort.
N.B. The PAINTED CHAMBER, whose walls are ornamented with a series of Continental Sketches, has just been added to the Establishment.
1838 Fire. — About nine o'clock on Wednesday night a fire broke out at a disreputable den called the "Elysium" Oyster and Supper Rooms, No. 11, Brydges- street, nearly opposite the front entrance of Drury-lane Theatre, which it was at first feared would communicate to the public-house adjoining. Two engines were, however, promptly in attendance, when the flames were prevented attaining at great ascendancy.
1838 Crim Con Gazette describes The Elysium in Brydges Street, & the Union & Phoenix in Bow St as a place for Prostitutes at all hours of the night (keeper Mr Humphreys)
1839 – Globe Newspaper - FLASH NIGHT HOUSES.—The proprietor of a place called the Elysium Wine-rooms, in Brydges-street, opposite Drury-lane Theatre—the nightly resort of thieves, women, and " gentlemen about town," was yesterday fined 51. by the magistrates of Bow Street, at the instance of a common informer, for keeping his house open at hours contrary to the statute. Another person of the same kidney escaped for a time from an informality, but a fresh summons was immediately granted.
1843 Bell’s Weekly Messenger - The Excise Court, on Tuesday, James Humphreys, of Brydges-street, Covent-garden, keeper of the * Elysium” wine and supper rooms, opposite Drury-lane Theatre, was charged upon three information’s with retailing wines without a licence. The case was brought before the court a short time ago, but was temporarily withdrawn, in consequence of informality. The court gave judgment in the first case against the defendant. A second was then gone into, and he was convicted in the mitigated penalty of £25, The defendant said should discontinue his business, and close his house.
Paper clippings from the same date describe the interior
1845 From the insurance policy we can establish that Lipman Lipman was a tavern keeper at 11 Brydges Street on 29 January 1845
1846 confirms Hannah Simmons, wife of Abraham Simmons as the landlady at the Sheridan Knowels tavern, next door to the Elysium at number 12.
It also confirms that Lipman Lipman is the ‘Keeper’ of the Elysium Tavern.
1847 - Morning Advertiser - COURT OF EXCISE, June 24. (Before T. Harrison, Esq., C. J. Herries, Esq., and Charles Ross, Esq.) Lipman Lipman, Brydges-street, Covent-garden, keeper of the wine and supper-rooms, known as the Elysium, was charged with having retailed foreign wines, having no licence for such purpose. r. Waddington having" shortly detailed the facts, Mr. Sillifant, a supervisor of Excise, stated that on the 15th of May last he went to the premises named in the information, where he was served with foreign wine by a female behind a bar, for which he paid, and drank it on the premises. in.** & . Mr. W. Austin, another supervisor, said he knew the Elysium, Brydges-street, Covent-garden. There was no licence for the sale of wine. Had seen the defendant there ever since January, 1845. He went to the house, and the name of George Alexander Harper, Free Vintner,” being over the door, he asked to see him, and afterwards inquired by what authority wine was sold on those premises ? Mr. Lipman said that Mr. Harper was not there, but that he was there in evenings, unless he was out upon a spree.” The certificate of a member of the Vintners’ Company was put in, but it was not proved in evidence, Mr. Martin, the Clerk of the Company, stating that there were several Harpers belonging to the Company, but he was not prepared to identify Mr. Harper who was alluded to in these proceedings, as he had received no notice to that effect. The Court gave judgment in the full penalty of 100/., but on the recommendation of Mr. Waddington, consented to stay the warrant.
1848 Bells New Weekly Messenger – Elysium -On Wednesday, Mr. Bedford held* inquest the George the Fourth, Gilbert’s-passage, Clare-market. on the body of Joseph Whitney, aged 20, son of chemist at Shrewsbury, and a student m the School of the London Pharmaceutical Society. The deceased spent the night of Friday week in drunkenness and debauchery at the Elysium Saloon, Brydges-street, and six o’clock the next morning was found lying insensible on one the sofas, and a phial which had contained prussic acid by his side. He died in a few minutes. The jury (considering the want of proof that he took the poison of his own accord) returned verdict that the deceased died from prussic acid, but how administered there was not sufficient evidence to satisfy them.
1850 – The Man of Pleasure Illustrated Pocket Book
‘The Elysium Wine Rooms’
This Saloon keeps up its original character of a first-rate resort of ladies and gents, and has been newly decorated and improved , under the very able Mr. Lipman, its present proprietor.
1850 - From the same Pocket Book 1850 – Describes, The Quadrant, 81 ½ Quadrant.
Is kept by Mr. Humphreys, the late proprietor of the Elysium Wine Rooms, Brydges Street, Covent Garden.
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