CNN is a news organization.
On a typical weekday afternoon in Vauxhall, south London, the neighborhood is quiet and relatively empty. You may see a few people walking their dogs, some runners passing by, and a couple of delivery drivers. This scene is exactly what you would anticipate on a rainy workday.
As you round the corner, you are met with a charming sight of a Victorian pub made of red bricks, adorned with flower baskets and mosaic tiles, bustling with unexpected liveliness.
Even though it’s drizzling, individuals are outdoors enjoying their drinks like pints of beer and cups of coffee. Surrounding them are a few reporters with microphones, cameras, and notepads. Those passing by halt to take pictures. Customers keep arriving every few minutes in black taxis and make their way inside, where all the tables are occupied.
Welcome to The Black Dog, a pub located in London that has gained attention and popularity among tourists due to the presence of musician Taylor Swift.
On the previous Friday, Swift dropped her newest album called “The Tortured Poets Department” along with a unexpected bonus of 15 extra songs that form “The Tortured Poets Department: The Anthology.”
Swift explained on Instagram that her new music captures a brief and uncertain moment in time that was both exciting and melancholic. It seems that the inspiration for the record came from Swift’s breakup with her long-term partner, British actor Joe Alwyn, leading her to have a brief but intense relationship with another Londoner, 1975 singer Matty Healy.
Within the collection of 31 songs, there are a variety of moods and styles present. This includes lively synth pop songs that touch on themes of heartbreak, as well as slower, folk-influenced tracks that delve deeper into feelings of sadness. One standout song in this mix is “The Black Dog,” a reflective and moody track where Swift sings about an ex who forgot to turn off his cell phone location settings after their breakup.
I observe as you move forward
To a bar named The Black Dog
And create fresh wounds in my heart.
Once these lyrics were released online, fans of Taylor Swift immediately began investigating. They wondered if The Black Dog was a genuine location in London, or if it was simply a made-up name chosen for its deeper meaning.
Maddie Essig, a college student from America who is studying in London, was one of the fans who quickly began using Google to find information.
Essig mentioned that Joe and Taylor spent a significant amount of time in London, so he assumed the item he was looking for would likely be nearby.
Essig and her friend Jenna Spackey, both Americans living abroad and fans of Taylor Swift, are sitting inside The Black Dog at a table near the window. They had just completed their pub lunch – Spackey opted for a Caesar salad while Essig chose the British pub favorite, fish and chips. During their conversation with CNN Travel, they shared details about their meal and their fondness for the famous singer, Taylor Swift.
Two friends who had never visited Vauxhall before decided to go there once they learned about The Black Dog. They took a tube train, partly to pay homage to the artist Swiftie and partly to celebrate 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 refer to this time as their “So Long, London” era, inspired by a song from “The Tortured Poets Department” that mentions the UK capital.
Swift’s latest album includes references to London, but this is not the first time she has sung about the city. In her song “London Boy” from 2019, which is thought to be about her partner Alwyn, Swift mentions enjoying nights out in Brixton, spending afternoons in Shoreditch, walking around Camden Market, and exploring Highgate and the West End. She also finds happiness in the gray skies and rainy cab rides in London.
Spackey believes that listeners will be inspired to visit all the locations mentioned in the song “London Boy”. He thinks that “The Black Dog” will be a popular addition to their list of must-see places.
It has not been confirmed by anyone, especially Swift, that the Vauxhall Black Dog was the inspiration behind her song. There is another Black Dog located in London, a beerhouse in Brentford, and some fans have suggested a bar in Cork, Ireland with the same name. However, the Black Dog in south London has embraced its newfound popularity.
A sign has been placed in the window with lyrics quoted on it. The pub has updated its Instagram bio to include “home to tortured poets.” The cocktail list at The Black Dog now includes “Taylor’s Version” on the blackboard, in reference to Taylor Swift’s recent rerecorded tracks.
Lily Bottomley, who is in charge of organizing events and managing social media for SC Soho, a small hospitality group that owns The Black Dog, shared with CNN Travel that she discovered the song through her personal social media accounts.
After watching “Black Dog,” Bottomley’s interest was piqued and things quickly escalated. Before the album was even released, fans were already showing up in a matter of hours.
During the weekend, the pub decided to hire additional security as a safeguard, despite nothing alarming occurring.
After that came a very hectic Monday, with a lot of bookings for the end of June and mid-August, during which Swift will have eight sold-out concerts at Wembley Stadium. The Black Dog intends to extend its opening hours on those days. Bottomley mentioned to CNN Travel that they are also anticipating a busy Tuesday, as the pub is already full.
Coverage of the event has been featured in news outlets globally. Bottomley is being interviewed by CNN Travel while other media organizations are preparing to go live and record TikTok videos outside the pub.
Before becoming famous on Swift, The Black Dog was already posting on Instagram. However, Bottomley and her team decided to create a TikTok account over the weekend.
Bottomley stated that their TikTok account received more than 200,000 likes and reached a million views within just 72 hours of being created, which he described as a huge success.
At the same time, the number of followers on the pub’s Instagram account has increased significantly, with Bottomley noting that it has nearly quadrupled. People from all around the globe are now following and engaging with the account by leaving comments.
According to Bottomley, The Black Dog is a pub that is popular in the local area. It is well-known for its relaxed and comfortable atmosphere most of the time.
The inside of the venue is welcoming and stylish, leaning more towards a gastropub atmosphere rather than a noisy bar.
According to Bottomley, the arrival of excited Swift fans has brought joy.
“We have participated in group singing sessions,” she mentioned, stating that the team is currently exploring the possibility of hosting a karaoke night centered around the music of Taylor Swift.
Up to now, the fans who have visited have all brought a upbeat and lively atmosphere.
Yesterday, there were many Taylor Swift fans who came to the pub and had never met before. They were friendly, creating a welcoming atmosphere by sitting together and joining tables. Bottmley mentioned that the majority of the fans were women and it was nice to see them forming a positive community in the pub.
There are different opinions among fans about who Taylor Swift’s song “The Black Dog” is about. Some, like Essig and Spackey, think it’s about Joe Alwyn, while others believe it could be referring to Matty Healy due to references to smoking and a love for esoteric jokes, which are often associated with Healy.
Bottomley refused to directly confirm or deny anything, but she did suggest that there is a regular customer at the pub who has blonde hair, which may be a reference to Alwyn’s light hair color.
When it comes to Swift, Bottomley mentioned that she has never seen her at The Black Dog. This aligns with the lyrics of the song, indicating that Swift’s character is not familiar with the bar.
Bottomley expressed that they would be happy to have her, adding that there is always a possibility.
When CNN Travel staff come to visit, they don’t have time to try the food menu at The Black Dog. Instead, the writer chooses to have a glass of Sauvignon Blanc, which Taylor Swift has mentioned in her new track “The Alchemy” as a comparison to the excitement of a new love affair. In the song, Swift sings about how the feeling of falling in love is like the sensation of drinking white wine.
My friend decided to try The Black Dog’s famous stout and really enjoyed it. The total cost of both our drinks came to around $18, which is typical for prices in London in 2024.
The stout is presented in a pint glass that has the pub’s name and a black dog logo printed on it. Bottomley mentions that so far, no one has taken any of these glasses, which she is grateful for. However, the pub is planning to sell merchandise soon, so visitors may have the opportunity to bring home a glass in the near future.
Avangeline Strasburg, a fan of Swift, expressed a desire to purchase merchandise from The Black Dog if they were to sell it. She believes that owning a souvenir from a place she has visited and that is referenced in a song by her favorite artist would be a special and unique keepsake.
Strasburg and her friend Katie Hageman, who are both from Florida, are currently in London for Strasburg’s 29th birthday celebration.
“I was really surprised and excited when I found out that Taylor was releasing an album right on time for my birthday and our trip,” Strasburg exclaimed.
Two friends discovered that The Black Dog was an actual pub, and decided to make time for a visit during their trip to London.
“Hageman expressed a desire to witness it firsthand,” says Hageman.
The two friends think the pub is charming and not quite what they expected from the song lyrics.
Hageman said that after hearing the lyrics, they expected the bar to be a more casual venue with lively music.
While looking at the menu of food offerings at The Black Dog, Hageman and Strasburg engage in a conversation with CNN Travel about the possible connections between Swift’s song “The Black Dog” and this pub. They debate whether the song is referencing Matty Healy, Joe Alwyn, or both individuals.
They find it enjoyable to make guesses, but they think that it might not necessarily be connected to a specific person.
In the end, the two friends don’t think it matters. What really excites Strasburg and Hageman is the powerful and descriptive lyrics of “The Black Dog,” which are common in Swift’s songs.
The reason behind Swift’s success lies in her ability to write in a way that sparks vivid imagery in the minds of listeners. By including specific details like the scarf mentioned in “All Too Well” that her ex still keeps in a drawer, Swift allows her audience to easily empathize with her experiences. Despite being a wealthy and famous musician, Swift is skilled at evoking emotions through relatable, everyday details.
When Swift talks about places in her songs, like the apartment she rented on “Cornelia Street” or the “saltbox house on the coast” in “The Last Great American Dynasty”, she does it in a detailed and passionate way that helps listeners visualize the scenes in their minds.
According to Strasburg, she consistently incorporates small details into her work, which can range from being general to being very precise, but they all reflect aspects of her personal life.
Hageman likens the song “The Black Dog” to a story or myth, suggesting that it might not be entirely true. It is possible that the song does not describe a real location or depict a real individual.
“She believes that this addition to the song made it easier for people to connect with because many of us tend to create narratives about other people’s lives based on the edited and glamorous aspects we see on the surface.”
