WOMEN CROWDED THE BAR— BUT JUST FOR A WEEK
The Kings Head Hotel, corner of Elizabeth and Park Street Sydney, 1949. Picture: Noel Butlin Archives, Australian National University
“Another two middies this way,” a woman shouts in the crowded bar of the Kings Head Hotel in Sydney while celebrating the coronation of Queen Elizabeth in 1953. Picture: Sydney Daily Telegraph May 30 1953.
WOMEN drinkers crowded the bar of the King’s Head Hotel, on the corner of Park and Elizabeth Streets, Sydney in 1953 to celebrate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.
The coronation took place on June 2 1953 at Westminster Abbey, London. Elizabeth II ascended the throne at the age of 25 upon the death of her father, George VI.
The Sydney Daily Telegraph reported on Sunday May 31 that licensee of the Kings Head Hotel, John Williams invited the women to use the bars during Coronation Week.
“Traditionally, a bar is a man’s stronghold,” Mr. Williams said at the time, “but I think we can break this for Coronation Week.”
“Men are encouraged to bring their wives, their sweethearts into the bar. It will help women to get the right spirit of the festivities.”
The Kings Head Hotel closed for business on August 19 1972 and was demolished soon after.
Categories: NSW hotels, Sydney hotels
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