It's the welcoming New Forest pub owned by rock royalty and frequented by music lovers, locals, visitors and donkeys!
The East End Arms, bought by Dire Straits founder and bass guitarist John Illsley in 1990, has a loyal following of regulars, attracted by the superb food, great drink choices and relaxed atmosphere.
It's also a pitstop for New Forest ponies, cows, pigs at this time of year and particularly donkeys, who are pretty much daily patrons, enjoying the pub's incredible rural location.
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Rockers often join in the fun, hoping for a glimpse of Illsley, who remained with Mark Knopfler as the only constant member of Dire Straits until the band’s 1995 dissolution, earning multiple BRIT, Grammy, Heritage, and Ivor Novello awards, and a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction.
New general manager Sydney Blake, who has been at the pub for just a week, said: "We do have a lot of people coming in and asking where John is, when will he be here. You won't be too hard pushed to find him, he's here regularly!"
John has occasionally performed in his own pub, including the launch of one of his solo studio albums Testing the Water, but also likes to use it to promote up and coming local bands and performers.
The recently launched tent talks, with fascinating guest speakers in conversation in the heated garden marquee, have proved very popular and a sell out quiz could pave the way for more.
Sydney, who previously worked at The Snakecatcher in Brockenhurst and The Mill at Gordleton, is open to ideas for New Year's Eve and beyond, hoping to hear what exactly customers want from the pub going forward.
Braised Ox Cheeks in Guinness is the current favourite on the seasonal locally sourced menu, which also includes John Dory and shrimp fishcakes to reflect the proximity to the coast at nearby Lymington, while Ringwood Brewery house real ales go down a storm over the bar.
The East End Arms also has five beautiful double rooms available to book and can be booked for private events.
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