The Angel and The Royal Zanettos

354 Coldharbour Lane, London SW9
[Map location]. Published 4th September 2012


The Angel pub on Coldharbour Lane, Brixton has a long and interesting history, but I was intrigued to learn of its connection with the late Victorian/early Edwardian music hall performers, The Royal Zanettos.com (formed of George, William (Pip), Arthur, Frank and Albert Bale).



As well as performing, the Bales were publicans, running The Ship in Margate, The Oak in Surbiton, The Tower in Westminster Bridge Road and the Angel in Coldharbour Lane, Brixton, London SW9.

In this Victorian view, you can large banners on the pub advertising Style, Winch & Co's Noted Pale Ales, Celebrated Burton Pale Ales, The Finest London Stout & Porter and Foreign Wines.

Also note the road sign above - this shows Canterbury Road which used to cross Station Road and run through to Brixton Road. The curtailed road is now known as Valentia Place.

Just visible above the corner entrance is a sign for 'The Zanettos' (pictured below), whose skills included a 'Japanese Juggling' act and a navy-themed routine.



The Royal Zanettos were active around the turn of the century and shared some fascinating bills.

On the 30th March 1895, they performed at the Tivoli theatre at The Strand, London in a matinee performance that included novelties such as 'Miss Jenny Valmore-serio-Comic, Miss Ida Heath-Transformation Dancer, Miss Winifred Johnson-Comedienne, Lieut. Walter Cole-ventriloquist, Miss Kate James-Comedienne, Miss Marie Collins-comedienne, Lotto, Lilo and Otto-bicyclists, The Egyptian Giant, Hassan Ali, Mr Rolf Arras-Equilibrist, Miss Maggie Duggan-Burlesque Artiste and Miss Minnie Cunningham-Serio and Dancer'.

It's quite interesting to see how many female comedians there are on that bill.





Interesting to note that the pub was originally called the Angel Hotel.



Postcard showing the beers available, priced per dozen bottles.

The Hammerton Brewery was situated in Stockwell and lasted until the 1950s. See: Hammerton Brewery feature.



A closer view of the Angel, showing three entrances to the pub and the bold advertising along the roofline.

Note the three large and rather flamboyant gas lamps and the Saloon Bar entrance on Coldharbour Lane.

[Archive photos courtesy of: theroyalzanettos.com]


Update Jan 2020

The former pub has now been converted into private flats, with a pizza restaurant occupying the ground floor.

Read more about the Angel here: Lost Pubs of Brixton: The Angel and find out about Brixton's lost theatres here.




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