A chat down the pub has led an Ipswich man to create a tube-style map focused on all of the drinking spots in town over the last four decades. 

Tony Holden has unveiled his map of all the pubs and drinkeries in Ipswich and nearby villages since 1980, taking into consideration when they opened, closed, and renamed over the years. 

The map contains around 200 locations and more than 350 names. 

Ipswich Star: The map contains around 200 locations and more than 350 names, Newsquest/Tony HoldenThe map contains around 200 locations and more than 350 names, Newsquest/Tony Holden (Image: Newsquest/Tony Holden)

Mr Holden said: “The idea came from many pub conversations with mates about the sad reality of pubs that are no longer there or have changed their name. 

“These drunken chats would test our collective memory to the limit and result in asking other patrons. Then we would all take a trip down a very blurry memory lane, such as ‘didn’t there used to be a nightclub near Christchurch Mansion?’. 

“I started doing the research in April and printed the first map in July.”  

Ipswich Star: The map contains around 200 locations and more than 350 names, including places like the old greyhound track, cinemas and the airport as they had bars and closed after 1980, Tony HoldenThe map contains around 200 locations and more than 350 names, including places like the old greyhound track, cinemas and the airport as they had bars and closed after 1980, Tony Holden (Image: Tony Holden)

Various online resources, including the Ipswich Star website, helped Mr Holden carry out the research. 

The Ipswich man added that the map contains information since the year he started to frequently visit pubs around the town.  

The map was exhibited at the Ipswich Beer Festival and Ipswich Heritage Weekend. 

Ipswich Star: Tony Holden made a map of all the pubs and drinkeries in Ipswich and nearby villages since 1980, Tony HoldenTony Holden made a map of all the pubs and drinkeries in Ipswich and nearby villages since 1980, Tony Holden (Image: Tony Holden)

Mr Holden said: “Sadly a lot of the buildings are not even there now, have been repurposed, or are just left empty. 

“However, on the positive side, there have been and continue to be new ones.” 

Mr Holden, who works as an IT solution consultant for a financial software company, promised that he will keep the map up-to-date.

Ipswich Star: The map contains around 200 locations and more than 350 names, including places like the old greyhound track, cinemas and the airport as they had bars and closed after 1980, Tony Holden The map contains around 200 locations and more than 350 names, including places like the old greyhound track, cinemas and the airport as they had bars and closed after 1980, Tony Holden (Image: Tony Holden)

The Ipswich man has been undertaking a tour of all the open pubs with a printed version of his map in hand and getting it signed as he goes around.

He is hoping to finish the tour this year; however, he said he is “running out of drinking buddies”. 

Ipswich Star: Tony Holden with Ross Keough, owner of the Arcade Tavern, when the creator of the map popped in to get the map signed. The pub owner asked for a copy for his bar, Tony HoldenTony Holden with Ross Keough, owner of the Arcade Tavern, when the creator of the map popped in to get the map signed. The pub owner asked for a copy for his bar, Tony Holden (Image: Tony Holden)

Mr Holden would like to ask the readers to help him find some information that would be valuable for the map: 

What year did Sloanes Wine Bar on Silent Street close down?

What year did Branigans and Bar Extreme close down?

How was the nightclub in Carr Street, opposite Woolies, called, as it had a few names, including Olivia's, Rumours and Blue Heaven?

To assist or to find out more about buying a map, contact Mr Holden at tubetown1980@gmail.com.