The rallying cry of “Bread and Roses” was first heard during a textile strike in Massachusetts, 1912. Led in the majority by women, The Lawrence Strike campaigned for both fair wages and dignified conditions. Fast forward 70 years and a quite different female presence dominates the workers’ experience in Britain. It was the crepuscular form of Thatcher’s union-bashing that gave birth to The Workers Beer Company and their first pub, The Bread and Roses, found in Clapham.

The spirit of Socialism is still alive and well in this South London free-house. Pub workers are covered by a model union agreement, providing staff with decent sick pay, holiday pay and perhaps the best wage rate in the country. This is a pub for all people, but without the irksome worthiness sometimes extolled by benevolent organisations.

On entering The Bread and Roses it feels airy and contemporary, with friendly service and a laid-back atmosphere. Choose from a range of traditional ales, but there’s also a good wine list. If you’re in the mood for a cocktail, The Bread and Roses’ lovely bar staff will oblige. The menu is extensive enough to give you ample choice of hefty pub fare, such as bountiful servings of quesadillas with sour cream & salsa, and vegetarian sausage & mash with red wine gravy.

Visit during in the summer months and enjoy large jugs of Pimms in the beer garden, and all year round you’ll be treated to a host of majestic pub-style entertainment, including DJs, live music, quizzes and the occasional special evening of wine tasting. Power to the people!