Good Mixer (The)
Pressing Play
Hello you. Make a cup of tea, put a record on. Welcome to The A to Z of Britpop, your introduction to the bands, music, and characters that defined the most exciting genre of the 1990s. In this article, we step into The Good Mixer, the Camden pub that became the heart of Britpop. It was here that bands, journalists, and hopefuls from the scene gathered to drink, talk, and dream. The Mixer saw friendships made, rivalries stoked, and some of the best stories of the 1990s unfold.
Britpop was built on personalities, fierce rivalries, soundbites, and of course, the music that defined a decade. It captured the restless energy of the country and signalled a wave of optimism across the UK that had been missing for years.
Each entry in this series is a fact file, giving you the key details: who they were, where they came from, and what they made. It’s the perfect starting point for revisiting the era if you were there or figuring out why your mum or dad keeps going on about it.
Overview
Place: The Good Mixer
Location: 30 Inverness Street, Camden Town, London
Opened: 1980s (exact date undocumented)
Significance: A Britpop hub where musicians, journalists, and fans gathered during the height of the movement.
Background and Early Years
Opened in the 1980s, The Good Mixer served as a traditional working-class pub.
Camden’s music scene, already thriving by the early 1990s, brought musicians and creatives to its doors.
Its relaxed vibe, pool tables, and jukebox made it the perfect spot for the emerging Britpop crowd.
Rise to Prominence
Blur’s Damon Albarn became a regular in 1994, and the pub gained attention as Britpop’s social epicentre.
Elastica, led by Justine Frischmann, were often spotted there, discussing music and socialising.
Menswear, one of Britpop’s sharpest-dressed bands, famously charmed journalists here, helping launch their career.
Music journalists from NME and Melody Maker used the pub as an unofficial office, trading gossip and tips on rising bands.
Cultural Significance
The Good Mixer became synonymous with Britpop, offering a meeting ground for bands and the media.
Its Camden location tied it to the wider alternative music scene, where venues like Dingwalls and the Dublin Castle were key.
The pub was known for its lively atmosphere, where creative ideas, press connections, and the occasional feud were born.
Notable Facts
Menswear's Formation: The band Menswear was formed at The Good Mixer. By socialising with NME and Melody Maker journalists there, they secured early media attention and became a quintessential Britpop success story.
Blur’s Regular Hangout: Damon Albarn and other members of Blur frequently visited The Good Mixer, turning it into an unofficial headquarters for the Britpop scene and solidifying its reputation as a cultural hub.
Music Journalist Hub: The pub was a favourite for NME and Melody Maker journalists, making it a key location for networking and breaking stories about the Britpop movement.
Defining Lyric
"Feeling lighter, darker, brighter" - Daydreamer by Menswear (1995)
Essential Listening
"Daydreamer" (1995) by Menswear: Captures the confident, stylish energy of The Good Mixer’s regulars.
"Connection" (1994) by Elastica: A track synonymous with the rise of Britpop’s cool, DIY spirit.
"Girls & Boys" (1994) by Blur: Reflects the hedonism and camaraderie of Camden’s Britpop scene.
Why You Should Be Visiting Now
The Good Mixer remains an iconic spot for Britpop fans. While it has changed over the years, its role in music history is undeniable. Step inside, order a pint, and imagine the energy of a pub where the 1990s came alive.
See you on down the road.
