“Desi Pubs & the Colour Bar”: 

A talk with David Jesudason & the Brewery Workers Union

The London IWW and the Brewery Workers Union is proud to be sponsoring a talk with David Jesudason, the 2023 Beer Writer of the Year, focusing on the history, politics, and cultural significance of “Desi pubs”. The talk, which is free, will be held at the May Day Rooms on the 24th of January.

If you like beer, history, and intelligent chat, we invite you to come to the May Day Rooms (88 Fleet Street, London, EC4Y 1DH) on January 24th. The topic of the evening will be “Desi pubs”, drinking establishments traditionally run by a landlord of Indian descent and which have served as an organising space for south Asian (and other working class) communities across the UK.

We’re honoured that the talk will be led by David Jesudason, the 2023 Beer Writer of the Year. Jason’s book Desi Pubs follows the history of how the UK’s Indian communities both embraced and enhanced British pub culture; with Desi pubs at once being a flashpoint in battles over identity and integration and a space where immigrants, radicals, workers, and trade unionists could come together to find community. 

Alongside plenty of beer, a number of union representatives will be present.  Whether you’re currently a member of the union (or just yet to join!), a union rep will be glad to look over your contract or offer guidance and any workplace issues you may be facing. Bring your workmates and make it a night!

The talk, which is free, will be held at the May Day Rooms from 7-9pm on Wednesday January 24th.

Whether you can make it to the event or not, we highly recommend you get a copy of David’s book, available here from the CAMRA website.
As always, if you’re having any problems at work or would like advice on how to form a union in your workplace, you can reach a representative from the Brewery Workers Union at breweryworkers@iww.org.uk.  If you work in any other industry, it’s london@iww.org.uk.