Pub Bitch: Amy Winehouse 'helps out' behind bar at her local boozer
Star behind the bar
Famed for rolling in and out of bars across the country, it looks like Amy Winehouse has finally found a way to steer clear of alcohol-related trouble. While scores of new acts try to hit the big time at legendary music pub the Dublin Castle in North London's Camden Town the bee(r)hive-barneted one has been helping out by pulling pints. It started as a random one-off but it seems the Rehab singer is so fond of the job she has returned for more. Dublin Castle licensee Henry Conlon, son of the pub's matriarch Peggy who is pictured with the singer, said: "She did a few hours one day then came back again the next day for another shift. I don't know when she's going to turn up but she's a great worker when she's here. Maybe she likes having the bar between her and the public?" Maybe Henry, or maybe she just likes being even closer to the Optics.
Drunken monkey
Last week you'll recall I brought you the fascinating tale of how chimpanzees can tell whether they have been served short measures. Chimps are in the news again this week, though it's a sadder tale I have to tell. Visitors to a zoo in the southern Russian city of Rostov decided to treat Zhora, a former circus chimp, to presents of sweets, alcohol and even cigarettes. Such was their generosity that the animal developed quite a taste for the booze and would harangue - in a chimp-like fashion, of course - those passing his enclosure for donations of the hard stuff, despite his keepers putting extra bars around his cage. His consumption has led to him being consigned to a rehabilitation unit. Vets say Zhora is suffering from "exhaustion". A hangover, more like.
Poster boys for temperance
I see those nice people at Drinkaware have hooked up with some top-flight rugby clubs to promote an alcohol awareness project and to encourage those taking part to think about the effects of alcohol on their bodies. A very laudable aim indeed and there's nothing like using sports idols to get a message home. But rugby players? Promoting a message of moderate alcohol consumption? Have the Drinkaware lot ever been on a rugby tour? The drinking games? The forfeits? The standing on tables while singing 'climbing up sunshine mountain, where the wild winds blow', complete with hand and arm gestures? It makes one's mind boggle, it does…
Adventures of George Michael
A good time was had by manager types from Town & City Pub Company last week when Red Bull treated them to a skiing trip in Austria. The trip was part of the energy drink company's Winter Wonderland initiative, yet the late arrival of one member of the group, after a missed flight, caused general mirth. There was much talk of the latecomer bearing an uncanny resemblance to singer George Michael, leading one wit to suggest a chorus of Wake Me Up Before You Go Go be employed to greet Dave, sorry, George. Sadly, this didn't happen. Still, Dave, I mean George, finally wowed the party — and some bemused lederhosen-wearing locals — with a series of sharp dance moves when Wham came on the stereo in a bar. Such moves had not been seen since the 1980s. Dave, sorry George, must have had wings…
Smoke this
The French health lobby is certainly going on the offensive to try and persuade the country's youngsters not to succumb to the smoking habit. Or perhaps that should be they're being offensive. Judging by one of the posters they are using to ram home their message some might suggest the latter. Families groups think so, but Marco de la Fuente, heading the project for the BDDP et Fils ad agency, said: "The old arguments - tobacco is bad for you - don't work any more. The message here is that tobacco is a form of submission. In the popular imagination, oral sex is the perfect symbol of submission." Nice. With nearly one in five 16 to 20-year-olds smoking, the messages could well get tougher. And more offensive.
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