Walking into an unfamiliar London pub on an autumn evening, Rachel Dixon felt a wave of nervousness. By the time the lights came on at closing, she had found a community that would change her life, leading to deep friendships and even love.
A Nervous Start in a Waterloo Pub
On Thursday 21 October 2021, Rachel ventured into Auberge, a pub near Waterloo station. She was attending a taster session with the London City Voices pop choir, drawn by the promise of their post-rehearsal pub singalongs. Recently single and approaching 40, she was seeking a lift. Her fears of standing alone were quickly dispelled by the warm welcome from the group.
"I'd never met a friendlier bunch," she recalls. She immediately connected with a man named Arasan, who was pragmatically clutching a whole bottle of red wine and a single glass. This encounter sparked a 'Thursday wine club' that endures to this day, having expanded to include dinners, days out, and holidays with fellow choir member Maddy.
The Magical Transformation of an Ordinary Pub
Every Thursday, the ordinary central London pub is transformed. For Rachel, taking a friend there recently felt "like taking her through the wardrobe to Narnia." The space fills with friendship, laughter, and powerful song, becoming the undisputed highlight of her week.
The staff at Auberge have embraced the rowdy singers, offering them a dedicated area, a drinks discount, and showing immense patience as they usher the group out at closing each week. The choir has even garnered its own groupies among the regulars, and other patrons often film performances or join in.
From Group Singalongs to a Lasting Partnership
Among the vibrant characters in the choir, one became impossible for Rachel to ignore: a man named Neil, notable for his loud tenor voice, exuberant dress sense, and habit of hugging everyone after a few pints of Guinness. After a few months of these weekly gatherings, a romance blossomed.
Now, nearly four years on from that first nervous visit, Rachel and Neil are still together. What began as an attempt to climb out of a personal rut evolved into a rich social life and a loving relationship, all centred around the community forged in a London pub's singalong. "Cheers, Auberge," she says.
