This is very silly indeed. Some American blog – connected to marketing thingy Spotistic – has issued an ‘infographic’ (see below) comparing American vs European “hipsterism.”
And guess what? It names Kentish Town’s very own Southampton Arms as Europe’s #3 “hipster” hangout. Peer more closely and you’ll observe (perhaps through some prescription glasses) that this makes it London’s #1 destination for the funkateer. Christ on a fixed gear bike.
So how on earth did they come to such a beard-stroking conclusion? Location-based insights on brands and trends, apparently, from the social media app Foursquare. This basically means every mention of the word hipster is monitored in association with punters “checking in” at venues. Or something.
One thing’s for certain: the Southampton is evergreen in its popularity with you lot, regularly topping our Reader Awards polls. And queues at the bar aside, its mix of guest ales ‘n’ ciders, turntable, cash-only policy, and packed pork baps, is impossible to fault, especially in weather like this, seated by the roaring fire.
Anyway, whether such a hold-the-front-page revelation makes you giggle, weep or pummel those bare brick walls with anger, here’s the evidence for all to see:
Quite. If you’re intrigued by such things read the full story here.
But over to you now…oh, and what is it about the word hipster that rubs everybody up the wrong way?
Words & Photos: Stephen Emms
8 thoughts on “Southampton Arms: London’s #1 hipster joint?”
Bit over the Southampton. Seems the in-pub in NW5 is now the Pineapple
Come on you work at the pineapple don’t you
Hmmm they also seem to think that London is in Serbia looking at the map…?
Oh god please keep the hipsters out of Kentish Town. They have been following me around London for the past 20 years, thought we were safe here.
The Pineapple was the number one hang-out for my dad who moved to KT in 1970 and still is for me (a spring chicken and undisputed hipster at 38) and I don’t work there, honest
Ermmmm…what? They should probably look at the overall number of checkins in the UK….We don’t use Foursquare quite as much and tend to check in using Facebook or Google, or not at all becuase we don’t want everyone to know where to find us and our smart phones so we can get mugged on the way home…
Too true. Such young characters are ruining the place, albeit keeping tills – till! – ringing. They had hoped they would stay out in they presumably preferred east London once the sister pub the Cock had opened. But alas not – The South is now a ‘destination’ pub, a novelty. Somewhere cool to be seen and to take birthday parties and works-dos to. Shame. Still it’s nice and quiet still in the afternoon 🙂
I blame Time Out magazine. Lucky Chip at the Grafton Arms isn’t helping either