Amy Winehouse's London, from the Hawley Arms to Beigel Bake

The tale of Winehouse is a complex one filled with a multitude of emotions. It encompasses both the struggle of addiction and the drive for success. It's a tale of enduring pain and a deep sense of love. Sadly, it also includes moments of tragedy due to issues with bulimia, alcoholism, and drug abuse. However, her remarkable talent is also a part of this story- her voice was unparalleled, her humor was razor-sharp, and her charm was boundless. She had the rare ability to transform small jazz clubs into grand stages and massive festival crowds into intimate gatherings in a Soho basement. What's more, Winehouse's story can be tied directly to London and, in particular, the neighborhood of Camden. If you want to unearth the hidden gems of Winehouse's story, including some off-the-record tales, Camden is the place to be.

"Top Spots For Drinks And Fun"

performing, image source: NME.com The British singer, Amy Winehouse, was captured in a photograph while performing live at the Hawley Arms. The picture was featured on NME.com.

The Hawley Arms is the pub that is most known for its association with Winehouse. She would frequent the pub both before and after becoming famous. After the release of her album "Back to Black" in 2006, the pub became a safe haven for the paparazzi to escape. The pub used to be a rough and tough biker bar in the 80s and 90s, but it transformed into an unofficial headquarters for indie music in the early 2000s. The likes of Pete Doherty, Kate Moss, Razorlight, Arctic Monkeys, Kaiser Chiefs, and Noel Fielding would all frequent the bar. It was a popular spot for lock-ins, and MTV's studio was conveniently nearby. However, Winehouse was the biggest star associated with the pub since she could often be found pouring pints behind the bar herself. Although she was known to drink a lethal concoction called Rickstasy, the pub has refused to make it for customers.

Winehouse used to enjoy drinking vodka, Jack Daniel's, diet coke, and white wine. If you're looking for a pub to enjoy these drinks, The Good Mixer at 30 Inverness Street, NW1 7HJ and thegoodmixer.co.uk is a great choice. Although Winehouse was more famously associated with the Hawley Arms, The Good Mixer was actually her favourite pub. In fact, she once joked that she was practically a piece of furniture there. The Good Mixer became well-known in the Britpop era, with frequent visits from Jarvis Cocker and Bobby Gillespie in the 90s. It's even said that the famous Blur vs Oasis rivalry began there. Later, Winehouse would come to play pool or join in with jam sessions. While the pub has undergone some refurbishment in recent years, it still boasts a great jukebox, a piano to play, and regular live music performances.

Amy Winehouse performs live at the Dublin Castle.

The Dublin Castle (94 Parkway, NW1 7AN, thedublincastle.com) is a great pub where you can catch live bands most nights and enjoy DJs on the weekends. Amy Winehouse used to come here to work behind the bar and hang out with landlady Peggy Conlon. There are countless posters of famous acts who have performed here, including Madness, Oasis, Supergrass, and The Killers. Amy's portrait is also hanging above the bar, with a message thanking Conlon for letting her work there and mentioning her engagement to Blake Fielder-Civil, who also proposed to her at this pub. The beer is affordable, the music is loud, and the vibe is still rock n' roll. For many, it's the best pub in Camden.

There's a little-known pub called the Old Eagle that Winehouse used to frequent. It's located near her place of residence at the time and it's not a place that's often mentioned. The pub has a Celtic flair and is known for its music. Rumor has it that Winehouse would come here to hide from the paparazzi, but it's been reported that she and Fielder-Civil were caught at the pub at 3am after escaping rehab in Essex by helicopter.

If you head a little way up the street towards Chalk Farm, you'll find Marathon at 87 Chalk Farm Road (NW1 8AR, 020 7485 3814). This establishment used to sell alcohol until 2011, when they lost their licence due to a court ruling. It has since been converted into a kebab shop, so if you're hoping for an authentic Winehouse experience, you won't find it here. In the past, Marathon had a lively atmosphere with late-night dancing on the tables, fueled by French rock artist Daniel Jeanrenaud who performed six nights a week.

Trisha's pub, located in the lively neighborhood of Soho.

Winehouse left her home in NW1 and began frequenting Jazz After Dark in Soho (9 Greek Street, W1D 4DQ, jazzafterdark.co.uk). Rumor has it she originally went there to find a job behind the bar, but instead ended up playing gigs. In addition to performing, Winehouse also enjoyed drinking at the establishment, which boasts cheap drinks and late nights. The venue has an eccentric, "old Soho" vibe, and is adorned with paintings and portraits of the singer. Admission to regular shows is around £10. Jazz After Dark is not just popular with Winehouse; Greta Garbo and Charlton Heston allegedly dined there in the 1980s. For an after-party, Winehouse often visited Trisha's (57 Greek Street, W1D 3DX, 020 7437 9536), a dive bar with £6 drinks and a reputation for interesting characters.

Moving on to the Strand, you'll come across an LGBTQ+ cabaret bar named Halfway To Heaven located at 7 Duncannon Street, WC2N 4JF. This bar has been around for a while and is deeply cherished by the locals. From the outside, it may seem like an old-fashioned pub, but the inside is packed with pink glitter. Many famous drag performers continue to entertain guests at this bar. In 2006, Winehouse mentioned on BBC Radio London DJ that she used to visit the gay club because she didn't want to be bothered. Once done, she would sit beside the Oscar Wilde statue nearby and have a conversation with it.

Winehouse was well-known for her drinking habits, although she also enjoyed food. She had a strong liking for pizza and sweets and would often request them on her gig rider. Pat's News, a newsagent that has since closed down, was one of her go-to places for Haribo, blackcurrant super sour sweets and ice pops. However, when it came to dining out, KFC and the tapas restaurant Jamon Jamon were her usual spots, as the singer was a regular there.

In 2021, Jane Winehouse, the stepmother, revealed to the Camden New Journal that her stepdaughter, Amy Winehouse, often frequented Jamon Jamon when she wasn't eating at home. Her favorite dish was meatballs with rice, also known as albondigas y arroz, accompanied by patatas bravas. Chris's Kitchen, located at 237 Royal College Street, NW1 9LT and reachable at 07531 160754, served up her favorite fry-ups. Additionally, Amy had her own booth at Haché, found at 24 Inverness Street, NW1 7HJ or online at hacheburgers.com. Her preferred burger was the steak Canadien.

Winehouse was often seen out and about in public places, which caught the attention of tabloids. Although some of her frequented places have since closed down, there are still some that are up and running, such as Fishworks and Balans. The latter is a late-night establishment that runs until 6am, where Winehouse almost got banned in 2010 for smoking indoors. Another place Winehouse liked was Guanabana, which serves Latin-Caribbean cuisine. Winehouse had a love for Caribbean food and was often seen outside Cottons in Chalk Farm, where she was rumored to have almost written a song about it.

If you're not a fan of Winehouse, you should still visit Beigel Bake (159 Brick Lane, E1 6SB, bricklanebeigel.co.uk) at least once. This famous shop stays open 24 hours a day. It's said that Questlove, the drummer for Roots, went there with Winehouse once. They supposedly put peanut butter on their salt beef bagels. Keep in mind that this may not be for everyone.

Ronnie Scott's jazz club held a significant role in Amy Winehouse's life since before she was even born. Her grandmother, who was also a jazz vocalist, had a romantic relationship with Ronnie Scott himself. As a result, the Winehouse family was frequently invited to attend performances at the club, even after Scott's passing in 1996. It was here where Winehouse made her singing debut at just 13 years old, only for her performance to be interrupted by a famous celebrity.

In 2006, the New Camden Journal interviewed a woman about a gig she had performed after her friend Scott had died. During her performance, she didn't mind if people were talking, as she enjoyed the opportunity to improvise with her band. However, her dad was in the audience and he became annoyed with a man who was talking. Her dad shouted at the man to be quiet, and the man apologized. It turned out that the man was Mick Jagger, but her dad didn't realize it and was surprised when he found out later.

Amy Winehouse did many shows at a club during her career, but she also had a special connection with other venues. One of these was Koko, located at 1a Camden High Street, NW1 7RE and can be found at koko.co.uk. She performed both on and off stage at Koko, even at their first show when it used to be called the Camden Palace. In 2006, Amy had a celebratory show there to mark the release of her album Back to Black. It was a sold-out show and is now considered one of the most memorable gigs at that venue. Additionally, she frequently played at Jazz Cafe, which is located down the road at 5 Parkway, NW1 7PG and can be found at thejazzcafelondon.com. It was her favorite venue and they still hold tribute evenings to her to this day.

Amy Winehouse was a big fan of The Roundhouse, a local venue located on Chalk Farm Road, NW1 8EH. Many iconic bands such as Led Zeppelin, David Bowie, and The Clash had performed there, and Winehouse herself had played a number of gigs at the venue. Her last public appearance was also at The Roundhouse, where she surprised her 15-year-old godchild, Dionne Bromfield. This appearance was just three days before Winehouse's tragic death, and she seemed to be a little intoxicated while dancing in the background. This was a stark contrast to the family-and-friends gig she had played only a week before at the 100 Club, which was said to be a sign that she was "back on track" after going back to rehab. Unfortunately, things took a turn for the worse after a disastrous gig in Belgrade, just two nights before her appearance at The Roundhouse. This was quite different from her 2007 performance at Shepherd's Bush Empire, where she recorded the I Told You I Was Trouble: Live in London album, which is definitely worth checking out.

Although she often traveled to New York for work with Mark Ronson, Winehouse recorded a significant amount of her music in London, particularly in the early stages of a project. Mill Hill Music Complex was a preferred rehearsal location, with studio nine being her favorite room, and where she spent formative years honing her sound. As her music progressed, she refined some of her work at the iconic Abbey Road Studios, where she ultimately recorded her final session with Tony Bennett for his Duets II album. Their rendition of "Body and Soul" will forever remain an important part of Winehouse's legacy.

London was also the setting for some videos. Back To Black was filmed at Abney Park Cemetery (215 Stoke Newington High Street, N16 0LH, abneypark.org), while parts of the F*** Me Pumps video were recorded in east London. Specifically, some scenes were shot on Chilton Street, which is located near Brick Lane, and outside Reflection House, which was temporarily renamed Beyond Retro for the video.

It may be challenging to check out a specific location known as 33 Portland Place, which served as a filming location for Rehab and other movies like the King's Speech. This place was notorious for raunchy sex parties thrown by "Fast" Eddie Davenport in the past. However, it is currently a personal residence that is up for sale at a whopping £75 million after undergoing complete renovation and makeover.

Camden Market (camdenmarket.com) is the most well-known spot, where Winehouse had a job as a teenager. You'll spot a bronze statue of her living it up there too! Apart from that, Winehouse was a big admirer of Primrose Hill and Highgate Woods. Some of her followers prefer to honor her memory by making a visit to her old stomping grounds. This may include a stop at her previous residences, like flats and houses located at Jeffrey's Place, Prowse Place and Camden Square- all lying in the Camden district.