It is not uncommon for people to pop in at Hout Bay’s The Workshop (The Smallest Pub in Africa) for a post-work drink, but these days, it seems, there is every chance you might also bump into someone famous.
Two years ago, it was Hollywood A-lister Orlando Bloom who dropped by for an ale or two at the Main Road watering hole, and on Monday November 7, it was the turn of legendary British reggae band UB40, of Red Red Wine and The Way You Do The Things You Do fame, to savour the cheerful atmosphere of this ever-popular local.
According to owner, Caronne Nebe, Ali Campbell and his merry band arrived at around 6pm, although at first their presence was barely registered by regulars.
“Ali Campbell came in, but I didn’t recognise him. Then the rest of the guys came in. We could tell they were a band, but we didn’t know which one.”
However, like so many other visitors to Hout Bay, UB40 could not resist the temptation to pose with the pub’s iconic “Smallest Pub in Africa” signage.
Regular, Julia Bunn, a Briton now living in Hout Bay and who had grown up listening to UB40, then put two and two together, and it was not long before regulars were taking selfies and photographs with the band members, who were more than happy to oblige.
“They were very cool guys, very laid back,” said long-time patron Chris Brett-Harris. “We were hoping they would drink red wine, but all they drank was Guinness,” he quipped.
