The Theatre Bar

[Rob Lightbody]

This area was intact until 1987, when it was remade for the 80s.  In 1994 it became The Golden Lion Pub.  It would have looked more dramatic originally, this is an 80s carpet.


114-17w by Captain Martini, on Flickr

And this is the 87 remake


221-22w by Captain Martini, on Flickr

[Louis De Sousa]

I think the 87-94 look was still the best.

[Rod]

When I was on, at the beginning, a trio called the Bigwoods alternated with a disco there.
http://popular-midlands-entertainer.blogspot.com/2009/11/bigwoods-paradise-beach-1971.html

[Lynda Bradford]

I preferred the pre '87 look of the Theatre Bar rather than the post '87 when it became the Golden Lion Pub. I like the bright trendy look rather than the dark pub look but then again I am not very keen on the pubs on the current Cunard ships either. 

[Adam Hodson]

I am not very keen on the pubs on the current Cunard ships either.

I must say from the pictures I've seen, I really like the design of the Golden Lion on QM2. However I do think that on the QE2 it is a very dark room - I don't like the green ceiling.

[Twynkle]

I must say from the pictures I've seen, I really like the design of the Golden Lion on QM2. However I do think that on the QE2 it is a very dark room - I don't like the green ceiling.

The Theatre Bar got lost...   (!)
Maybe like the Golden Lion, might each one benefit from having its own topic?

QE2's Golden Lion was a great place...specially for Jazz in the evenings, and for footie / World Cup / Olympics too!.
These events together with the availability of pub food at lunchtime has been inherited by QE2's old fleet-mates. The decor changed considerable over the years, although loosing the lovely somewhat edgy chrome and leather look, more recently, it became more sort of 'cosy' - I'll try and find/post a photo...
(The Golden Lion has been full and rocking (literally, as well as figuratively) on QV for the past three months!) 
Rosie.

[June Ingram]

Hi Rosie -- Be sure to tell us and show us pictures of your cruise.  Can't wait !  June   

[Adam Hodson]

Does anyone have any more pictures of the Theatre Bar? I've only seen a few of the original Theatre Bar.

[Rob Lightbody]

Attached is a rare colour photo of the Theatre Bar as new.

This photo is from The QE2 Story's collection, and is not to be reproduced without permission.

[cunardqueen]

For me it was always best as the Theatre Bar. I absolutely hated the Golden Lion Pub in any incarnation and it was hell on earth if there was any major sports playing or worse football and in my view completely lowered the tone .

The theatre bar was always a safe haven, but l guess Cunard had to bow to the trend of the pub lot..

[Brandon Sterkel]

The Theatre Bar looked like a very interesting room to me. Love the 80s look that the bar originally had.

[Greg Rudd]

What a ripper of a shot from 1969 Rob!

That primary colour combination is back in fashion.  To make the 1969 Theatre bar 2016 ready, all you would have to do is change the furniture and the carpet to a mix of red, black and white in a suitable pattern.
As I said in my intro, the interiors of the QE2 in 1969 are closer to interior design trends of 2015  than what the QM2 is.   

[June Ingram]

Rob, thanks for posting the photo - awesome !

And Greg, you are absolutely correct in saying that our QE2's 1969 interiors are back in fashion again.  They are much more chic now than the interiors of heavy woods and dark colors which make one think they are on Titanic.

Our library here at Connecticut College just went through a library renovation, and guess what - stainless steel, vibrant primary colors, contemporary sleek furniture, open space.

My building, Cummings Arts Center, opened in 1969 and fortunately, CC has more the most part, kept the original style of decor.

So, yes, with some refurbishing, our QE2 would be right in style again. 

[Greg Rudd]

Rob, thanks for posting the photo - awesome !

And Greg, you are absolutely correct in saying that our QE2's 1969 interiors are back in fashion again.  They are much more chic now than the interiors of heavy woods and dark colours which make one think they are on Titanic.

If you were to throw the best UK interior designers at redesigning the Theatre Bar to make it up to the second, you find that most of their work would be centred around the bar area. The easy part would be getting the right carpet patterns and matching furniture. This bar would make a great jazz venue if the dream of getting her back to the Clyde comes off.

I see these 1969 shots and it's easy to see why the QE2 was preferred by the passengers over the France in the early 70's. 

[Cunarder Man]

Bring back a Theatre Bar, can you imagine if this one was reproduced today - it would be magnificent. Here's me in 1983.