The information comes from the cable news network, known as CNN.
On a regular weekday at lunchtime in Vauxhall, a neighborhood in south London, there is not much activity on the residential street. A few people are seen around, like dog walkers, runners, and delivery drivers, which is typical for a rainy work day.
Upon rounding the corner, a surprising sight awaits: a Victorian pub made of red bricks, adorned with hanging flower baskets and mosaic tiles, bustling with activity.
Even though it’s raining lightly, individuals are sitting outdoors, enjoying drinks and coffee. Surrounding them are a few reporters holding equipment such as microphones, cameras, and notepads. Onlookers pause to take photos. Regularly, energetic customers arrive in black taxis and enter the crowded establishment where all tables are occupied.
Introducing The Black Dog, a pub located in London that has gained popularity and become a tourist attraction due to the visit of singer Taylor Swift.
On Friday, Swift surprised fans by releasing her new album “The Tortured Poets Department” accompanied by an unexpected bonus of 15 additional songs in “The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology.”
Sharing on Instagram, Taylor Swift explained that her latest music reflects a brief and uncertain moment, balancing both excitement and sadness. It seems the album was influenced by her breakup with actor Joe Alwyn and subsequent short-lived romance with The 1975 singer Matty Healy.
Within the collection of 31 tracks, there is a variety of songs that cover different moods and styles. One particular track, titled “The Black Dog,” stands out as a reflective and melancholic song where Swift discusses an ex-partner who inadvertently kept their location settings on after their relationship ended.
I observe as you move forward
The Black Dog bar is where we went.
Create fresh wounds in my heart.
Once these lyrics were released online, fans of Taylor Swift immediately began investigating. They wanted to know if The Black Dog was an actual place in London, or if it was simply a made-up name chosen for its deeper meaning.
Maddie Essig, a college student from the United States who is currently studying in London, was one of the fans who quickly turned to Google for more information.
Essig mentioned that Joe and Taylor had spent a significant amount of time in London and they assumed that the item they were looking for would be located in that area.
Essig is seated indoors at The Black Dog, facing her friend Jenna Spackey, who is also an American living abroad and a fan of Swift. The two are talking to CNN Travel after eating lunch at the pub – Spackey had a Caesar salad while Essig had the British favorite, fish and chips.
The two friends were visiting Vauxhall for the first time and decided to take a tube train to see The Black Dog, which they had heard about. Their trip was a mix of paying tribute to Swiftie and celebrating the end of their college semester. They only have a few weeks left in the UK before returning to the US – Essig to Baltimore, Maryland and Spackey to Houston, Texas. They are referring to this time as their “So Long, London” phase, inspired by a song on “The Tortured Poets Department” album that mentions the UK capital.
Swift has referenced London locations in her music before, including in her 2019 song “London Boy,” which is thought to be about Alwyn. In the song, she sings about enjoying nights out in Brixton, visiting Shoreditch in the afternoon, walking around Camden Market, and exploring Highgate and the West End. She also mentions finding happiness in a gray sky and rainy cab rides.
Spackey believes that listeners will visit all the locations mentioned in the song “London Boy,” with The Black Dog likely being a popular choice to visit.
Although it hasn’t been officially confirmed by anyone, including Swift, that the Vauxhall Black Dog is the inspiration for her song, there are other locations with the same name that some fans have pointed to. One of these locations is a beerhouse in suburban Brentford, while another is a bar in Cork, Ireland. Despite the uncertainty, the Black Dog in south London has embraced its newfound fame.
A sign in the window displays lyrics, the pub’s Instagram bio now includes “home to tortured poets”, and the cocktail list at The Black Dog now includes “Taylor’s Version” to differentiate between Taylor Swift’s recent rerecorded tracks and the original versions.
Lily Bottomley, an individual responsible for events and social media at SC Soho, a small hospitality group that is the owner of The Black Dog, mentioned to CNN Travel that she came across the song through her personal social media accounts.
“After watching ‘Black Dog’, I had a reaction of surprise and things quickly escalated. People started showing up even before the album was officially released,” commented Bottomley.
During the weekend, the pub decided to bring in additional security as a preventive measure, with no specific incidents prompting this action.
Next came a very hectic Monday and a bunch of reservations for the end of June and mid-August, during which Swift will have eight sold-out performances at Wembley Stadium. The Black Dog intends to have extended hours on those specific days. During an interview with CNN Travel, Bottomley points to the crowded pub and anticipates another busy Tuesday ahead.
Media outlets from around the world have been reporting on the recent events. While speaking to CNN Travel, Bottomley mentioned that other news organizations are also starting to broadcast live and create TikToks outside the pub.
Before becoming famous thanks to Taylor Swift, The Black Dog was already using Instagram. However, Bottomley and her team created a TikTok account just this past weekend.
“Bottomley mentioned that our TikTok video received over 200,000 likes and a million views in just 72 hours after it was posted. This level of engagement is amazing.”
At the same time, the number of followers on the pub’s Instagram account has significantly increased, almost quadrupling according to Bottomley. People from various parts of the world are now following and engaging by leaving comments on the posts.
According to Bottomley, The Black Dog is considered a neighborhood bar known for its relaxed and intimate ambiance.
The inside of the place is welcoming and stylish, with a more upscale pub vibe rather than a rowdy bar atmosphere.
However, Bottomley expressed that he has been pleased by the arrival of passionate fans of Swift.
She mentioned that they have had group singing sessions and are currently brainstorming the concept of organizing a karaoke night centered around Taylor Swift.
Up to now, the fans who have visited have all brought a cheerful and uplifting energy.
“Yesterday evening, a large number of Taylor Swift fans came in who were strangers to each other. They were seen collaborating by bringing chairs and tables together, creating a wonderful atmosphere,” explains Bottmley. “The majority of them were women, and it was uplifting to see this community gathering in a pub.”
Some fans, such as Essig and Spackey, think that the song “The Black Dog” is referring to Joe Alwyn, but there are others who believe the subject may actually be Matty Healy based on references to smoking and a love for obscure humor.
Bottomley refused to give a definite answer, but she did suggest that there is a regular customer at the pub who has blonde hair, hinting at the possibility that it may be Alwyn.
According to Bottomley, he has never personally witnessed Taylor Swift at The Black Dog, which aligns with the song lyrics implying that Swift’s character is not familiar with the bar.
Bottomley expressed uncertainty by saying, “It’s impossible to predict. We would be thrilled to have her join us.”
During CNN Travel’s visit, there wasn’t enough time to try the delicious food menu at The Black Dog. Instead, the writer chose to have a glass of Sauvignon Blanc, which Taylor Swift approves of in her new song “The Alchemy”, where she compares the excitement of a new romance to the taste of wine. Swift sings about how rare and powerful that feeling is.
While I had a drink, my friend tried a popular stout from The Black Dog and really enjoyed it. The total cost for both drinks was £14.65, which is a typical price for London in the year 2024.
The stout is poured into a pint glass with the pub’s name and a black dog logo. Bottomley is relieved that no one has taken these glasses so far, and the pub is planning to create merchandise for visitors to possibly take a glass home in the future.
Avangeline Strasburg, a fan of Swift, expressed interest in purchasing merchandise from The Black Dog if it were available. She believes that owning something from a place she has visited and is referenced in a song by her favorite artist would make for a unique and special keepsake.
Strasburg, who is from Florida, is currently in London with her friend Katie Hageman to celebrate her 29th birthday. They are on a vacation together.
Strasburg excitedly expressed, “I couldn’t believe it when I heard that Taylor Swift was releasing an album just in time for my birthday and our upcoming trip!”
After discovering that The Black Dog was an actual pub, the two friends decided they had to make time to stop by during their trip to London.
“We desired to witness it firsthand,” expresses Hageman.
The two friends find the pub to be charming, and they were surprised that it didn’t match their expectations from the song lyrics.
Hageman expressed that upon hearing the lyrics, they had originally thought the setting would be similar to a dive bar with blaring music.
While looking through the food menu at The Black Dog, Hageman and Strasburg discuss with CNN Travel whether Taylor Swift’s song “The Black Dog” is actually based on this pub and speculate if it is about Matty Healy or Joe Alwyn, or perhaps both.
They find enjoyment in discussing possibilities, but suggest that it may not necessarily be about one specific individual.
In the end, the two friends agree that the most important thing is the evocative and scene-setting lyrics of “The Black Dog”, which are a key element in Swift’s songwriting that excites Strasburg and Hageman the most.
Swift’s success is attributed to her unique writing style, which includes vivid and specific imagery. For example, in the song “All Too Well,” she references a scarf that her ex still keeps in a drawer, creating a relatable image for listeners. Despite her fame and wealth, Swift is able to evoke emotion by focusing on ordinary and relatable details in her songs.
When Swift mentions places like the apartment on “Cornelia Street” or the saltbox house in “The Last Great American Dynasty,” she does it in a detailed and passionate way that helps listeners imagine the scenes in their minds.
Strasburg stated that the woman consistently incorporates small details into her work, which can vary in specificity but are always personal to her life.
Hageman sees “The Black Dog” song as more of a story or myth rather than a true depiction of reality. The location and person described in the song may be fictional and not based on actual events or individuals.
She explains that this aspect of the song made it more relatable for them. She believes it resonates with anyone who has crafted narratives inspired by the idealized snapshots we glimpse of each other’s lives.
