Address : 16 St James’ Street, Nottingham, NG1 6FG.
In Victorian times, St James’ Street was a hotbed of debauchery, and if you wanted to find the worst of humankind who would do almost anything for a flutter of the eyelashes and a piece of silver, you came to the Malt Cross – a music hall serving up entertainment, booze and – quite possibly – a sexually transmitted infection.
These days you can still get all of that in most of the other bars around here, but the Malt Cross offers something a little more cultured, in the form of beautifully preserved surroundings featuring elegant architecture, DJs and live music. In fact, this is one of the only remaining working music halls outside London, having been saved by a substantial Heritage Lottery Grant in 2014.
Events? Live performances were once a mainstay here, but these days you’re more likely to find a DJ set at the weekends, an occasional open mic or comedy improv session. It can be a bit hit and miss, so check the website for the latest.
Food? A full menu of small plates and main courses is on offer here – with a mainly European feel of healthy and hearty food. Sunday lunches are also served.
People? The more intelligent end of the student crowd can often be seen here, but it really is a mix of all ages and styles.
Opinion? In Victorian times, this place was the equivalent of Yates’s or Wetherspoons. A house of ill repute filled with dodgy characters and ladies of the night. You can still find three out of those four things on St James’ Street, but step through these doors and it’s a different world. Bring a tourist here before the Trip (or instead of it) and they’ll be thankful for it.
Getting here : NCT Green, Orange and Blue lines to Old Market Square/Angel Row, Trent Barton Indigo, i4, Ruschliffe, Cotgrave, Villager and Mainline to Friar Lane. NET Trams to Old Market Square. All a 5 minute walk. Tip : St James’ Street is a little hidden among the melee of Angel Row – look for The Bell and take the road immediately to the left.
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