The Joiners Arms

The Joiners Arms hosted the first-ever museum exhibition to be held in a London pub! After reading Matthew Evans' suggestions to move collections out from behind museum walls and into pubs, schools and shops, the landlord of the establishment invited the Museum of London to take up the challenge.

The design of the Outsite took into account the specific needs of the publican and the pub's location. It consisted of a temporary small-scale display focusing on the history of drinking in the City. Objects chosen from the Museum's collection included medieval drinking mugs, 1960s beer bottles and a Roman Amphora from the first century AD.

The display complemented the pub's already popular programme of events that featured 'talking heads' sessions with MPs Glenda Jackson and Tony Banks. BBC Television's Newsnight presenter was sufficiently intrigued to cover the launch of the exhibition.

The locals thoughts is was a great idea. It as so popular that a second display on the theme of protest and rebellion in London was installed a few months later.