Old Pub Crawl! Trivia Quiz

Melbourne, Australia

Young and Jackson's Hotel stands directly opposite the Flinders Street Railway Station (pictured), whose expansive and gracious frontage is synonymous with the city of Melbourne. Located on the corner of Flinders and Swanston Streets, Young and Jackson's was established in 1875, on a piece of land chosen by John Batman some 35 years earlier as a good place for a family home. It later became a school, but this was razed soon after, and a series of smaller enterprises were established on that corner. These were taken over and amalgamated in 1861 by John P. Toohey (of Toohey's beer fame) and his brother, who opened the Princes Bridge Hotel that year. When it was bought by Irish diggers, cousins Henry Young and Thomas Jackson, in 1875, it was renamed with the moniker is still bears.

One of its claims to fame, apart from its historic origins and interior, is the painting of an ingenue named Chloe. Painted in France by Jules Lefebvre in 1875, the oil on canvas measures a life-size 260cm (102") x 139cm (55") and won the gold medal at the Great International Exhibition in Melbourne in 1881. The reason for its fame was that young Chloe is completely naked. It caused quite a stir when hung in the National Gallery in 1875, and controversy raged for three weeks, until it was removed from exhibition. It was acquired for the hotel in 1908 where she has graced the saloon bar ever since.

Under the clocks at Flinders Streeet Station is THE meeting place when friends have somewhere to be. If you click on the picture you'll see a row of clocks under the arch. Each clock is set to the departure time for the next train on a particular 'line' (Lilydale, Sunbury, Hurstbridge, etc). See you there!

New Braunfels, Texas

New Braunfels, where the Phoenix Saloon is located, is know for its extensive German-Texan and European history. The bar was originally established in 1871, but was closed in 1918 due to Prohibition; however, a tunnel system allowed liquor to be obtained there. Food and drink have continued to be served in the department store that took over the space; it was known as The Ludwig (later Schmidt) Building. The site also housed numerous bars and pubs over time too; and was fittingly revived as the Phoenix Saloon in 2010.

The original Phoenix Saloon was the first bar in Texas to serve women, who congregated in the beer garden. So their reputation was not sullied by going into the bar, the ladies rang the bell located in a tree when they wanted a refill. Apart from live music on Saturday nights, the bar boasted an alligator pit, a deer pen, and badger fights. To add to the atmosphere, a parrot on a perch inside the front door was taught to say, "Have you paid your bill!?" in German as patrons were leaving.

Paranormal happenings have been reported in and around the Phoenix, with doors and windows opening and closing on their own, footsteps are heard on the upper stories late at night and shadowy figures moving around. Hopefully the renovations haven't done away with these!

London, UK

First named the York Minster when it opened in 1891, the French House is a pub with an exclusive restaurant; it has just 7 tables and 2 seats at the counter on its second storey. Located in Soho, it has long been popular with notables such as Francis Bacon, Errol Flynn, Orson Welles and Dylan Thomas. It was renamed the French House in 1984 as a nod to its connection with the Free French Forces (France's government-in-exile during the German Occupation) when Charles de Gaulle used the pub as the group's unofficial headquarters during World War II, and the numerous expats that frequented it post-war.

The real reason they changed its name though? When York Minster (in York!) was damaged by fire after a lightning strike in 1984, donations started rolling in. To the pub, not to the actual Minster. The civic-minded pub owner, Gaston Berlemont, contacted the Minster and sent them the funds. At the same time, he discovered that several cases of premier wine destined for the pub had found its way to the real Minster, where it was received with gratitude - not realising it was really for their London counterpart.

Paris, France

Founded in 1876 by Gustave Gallopin as the Grands-Boulevards brasserie, the Gallopin is located in Paris's theatre district. It was renovated for the Universal Exposition of 1900. The international custom generated by the Exposition cemented its place as a popular eatery, and it is frequented by connoisseurs of hearty, unpretentious French cuisine. Its decor is breathtaking, boasting a stunning Belle Epoque dining room, stained-glass murals, a large mahogany bar, and brass chandeliers.

St Julian's, Malta

Set grandly on St Julian's seafront in the Balluta Bay area, The City of London bar was established in 1914 to serve the British forces stationed on Malta in readiness for mobilisation during the Great War. It was started by Karmnu Borg, and successive generations of his family have run it ever since. The view from the pub is amazing; you can see the Neo-Gothic Roman Catholic Church just across the water, and for people watchers, it's a great place to watch the world go by.

The Maltese Cross is the picture.

Berlin, Germany

This historic pub has a couple of distinct dining areas. You can opt for the casual atmosphere of the beer garden and local Berlin fare, or you can choose the more historic dining room, where you are surrounded by the remnants of the pub's great past. And it's pretty old...established in 1621, if you're looking for tradition. It was opened by a former groom of the estate on which the building stood. Food and drink has been served there ever since, except for a short period of rebuilding after the Second World War. It boasts several relics of its past, including a tiled stove at which Napoleon allegedly warmed his hands. Other famous patrons include Jacques Chirac and Charlie Chaplin. The beer garden gives an unobstructed glimpse of the past, being located on the city wall.

The picture is of Berlin's famous Brandenburg Gate.

Brussels, Belgium

Still owned by the same family, A La Becasse was founded in 1877 by Henri Steppé. A La Becasse is a Lambic cafe, meaning it serves the region's iconic beer that has been brewed in and around Brussels since the 13th century. The restaurant's atmosphere is rustic, reminscent of a log cabin, with lots of warm wood, brass trimmings, and lovely stained glass windows. Apart from the great food and traditional drink, families are encouraged to come to the specially arranged game nights.

The lovely building in the picture is the Royal Palace of Brussels.

Hong Kong

This beautiful grade II listed building started life as the Old Peak Cafe, serving the pleasure seekers who braved the trip to the top of Victoria Peak, whose terraced dining areas boasts views over Aberdeen, Pok Fu Lam Country Park and the South China Sea.

From 1888, it was used as a rest place and workshop for British engineers involved in constructing the funicular railway. Once it was handed over to the government in 1901, it became a lookout and picnic area for people coming to the top of the Peak in sedan chairs (I hope the sedan chair bearers also got a break!). Later, it was further developed into the cottage-style eatery it is today.

The picture is of a traditional Chinese junk in Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong.

Bangkok, Thailand

This long-established restaurant started out life as a floating eatery on the Klong Bangkok Yai, a canal in Bangkok, before it grew foundations in 1907 and moved to its current location. Fourth generation descendants of its founders still run it, and create many classical dishes from the recipes brought to Thailand by their Teochew ancestors. The Teochew people originated in the Chaoshan region of eastern Guangdong; the 130-year-old family recipes are less spicy than the Thai palate is general accustomed to, so the dishes are accompanied by chili sauce and other spicy sides.

The picture is the White Temple in Chang Rai, Thailand.

Toronto, Canada

Established in 1849 by Irishman Bernard Short as a hotel with a bar, the Wheat Sheaf wasn't the most salubrious saloon to frequent. There was a tavern on the ground floor, and downstairs, cockfights were held in the basement. The bar was a favourite haunt of soldiers from nearby Fort York and some say a tunnel was excavated between the barracks and the tavern to facilitate all-hours access. However, subsequent renovations haven't found anything to support that tale. Disappointing.

In 1905, a striking Second Empire-style double-sloped mansard roof was added, and it is has been identified as an historical site by Toronto's Heritage Preservation Services. It's had internal renovations in the 21st century and a modernised menu to match, including a fine selection of whiskeys.

The iconic Canadian National (CN) tower is seen through the street scape in this picture.