Tucked in behind Queen Street and along from the Royal Albert Memorial Museum, Gandy Street is Exeter very own Diagon Alley it's even said it was JKR's inspiration for the wizard shopping arcade in the Harry Potter books while she was at uni in Exeter. Named after Henry Gandy the Mayor of Exeter in the mid-1600s. This narrow lane, more than a street is by nature a pedestrian thoroughfare apart from the junction where Little Queen Street crosses it. Home to a couple of restaurants, the odd pub more of that in a bit, a few bespoke jewelers and boutiques. This quirky little road is a great place to visit to pick up an unusual present or treat.
It’s tucked away and often missed by visitors to the city as the entry from the High Street is just a narrow alley next to Urban Outfitters and at the other end, Upper Paul Street looks as if you're going up a blind alleyway.
So Hivers what was I doing there, off to a Pub that’s what. Well, it used to be a pub now it’s a trendy wine bar so my plan for a cheap lunchtime pint went right out the window. What used to be an old pub is now Coolings Cocktail Bar and restaurant.
All table service due to the pandemic each table has a scan code so you can access the menu and prices, just a bit high-tech too for Exeter.
That said the burger was good.
And the IPA was nice and cold if a little more expensive than I remember, but then most things are.
I’m you like your live music Friday evening would be a good time to visit and if you fancy you can sing try the open mike night on a Thursday.
Back in 1832, Gandy Street was the source of contaminated water that caused the cholera outbreak that killed 10 people so Hivers drinking beer is always a lot safer than drinking water.