I have frequented The Pink Lady several times, and I can assure you Sir that barflies are sent to the tradesmans entrance!
Our family have always been fascinated by the place. I have a cousin who was a chef there in the 1980's and he told me of a time when he was in charge of that part of the kitchen, for cleaning etc. purposes, that had the cake fridges in it. Afternoon tea there was quite a thing. He used to come into the kitchen early in the morning to start preparing, and would pour himself a half litre of orange juice from the juicing machine, and take a slice of one of the cakes. One day he took a bite of the cake, didn't like it, and put it back carefully, where it would have remained with a bite out of it until some poor waiter served it.
My first memory was being taken there for tea and asking for a ginger ale, which turned out to be something very fancy but so dry my young tastes were put off the place for a while!
Given that in 1899 the British turned the place into a headquarters, and Roberts, Kitchener, and Buller all stayed there (which may explain the barflies), it is surprising it survived. It had only opened about 6 months before. Had to do the patriotic thing I suppose.
Chin chin, Ryan
