grid reference TM 159 447
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last updated 21/01/2020Ipswich Rainbow Hotel
historical closure era: mid 20th centuryclosed November 6th, 1961
last owner Tolly Cobbold
2-4 St Matthew's St
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
The pub is shown (though not named) on this old OS map from about the end of the 19th century. larger map
(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.
Note
Nearby, Hyde Park Corner is a name given to the junction of Crown St, St Matthew's St and Westgate St.