android appIpswich Rainbow Hotel
CAMRA Ipswich & East Suffolk branch.
last updated Jan 10th, 2022.
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Ipswich Rainbow Hotel
South, 52.05943,1.14937
closed 6th November 1961
last owner/operator: Tolly Cobbold
2-4 St Matthew's St
grid reference TM 159 447
The pub is shown (though not named) on this OS town plan from about 1880. Comparing it to the more recent photograph, it appears the building may have been somewhat remodelled in between. (larger map).
This prominent pub famously closed soon after a murder occurred on the premises. It's since been demolished; the road junction is now much wider.
Popular with many US service men at a time when the USAF was rather racially segregated. The white folks went to the Queens Head and the coloured servicemen took over the Rainbow. I saw a few fights and the Military Police used to turn up and throw the drunks in the back of a van. They were then grounded on the base for a while.Ian Johnson
Gallery
St Jude's Brewery Tavern 0.12 mile
Arbor House 0.14 mile
Black Horse 0.14 mile
Manning's 0.16 mile
Arcade Street Tavern 0.17 mile
Three Wise Monkeys 0.18 mileLandlords
Footnote
Nearby, Hyde Park Corner is a name given to the junction of Crown St, St Matthew's St and Westgate St.
(Most pub, location & historic details collated by Nigel, Tony or Keith - original sources are credited)
(old PO directory information courtesy of londonpublichouse.com)
Old OS map reproduced with the permission of the National Library of Scotland.
