Farewell to Gringos

My first visit to Gringos was even before it was named Gringos. Back in 1992, as a green punter, I was led into an establishment called Mix bar by the group I had come on holiday with and proceeded to get smashed on tequila shots. Unless it was the alcohol playing tricks on my vision the most memorable feature was the set of furniture that had been stuck upside-down to the ceiling.
In 1996 following a summer spent touring around South America the bar managers, Mitch and Rosy, renamed the place and changed the dÈcor to a quasi Mexican style complete with a brightly coloured broken tiled bar and multicoloured parrot.
Matt Hardy recollects.
I think my favorite memory of Gringos is from the start of the first ever Plonge off in 1997. The event started in Gringos, the bar was absolutely packed, you couldn't move around in it, it was so full that they had opened all the windows and the door and people were standing outside peering in. The contenders had to down a pint and a shot (I think), and then go to TJ's for the next challenge. Stu, the judge started a countdown, on zero, the 10 plongeurs bolted the drinks and then it was like Gringos exploded as everyone rushed to get out and get to TJ's, people were jumping out of the windows, climbing over the cars parked outside, the road was suddenly a mass of bodies fighting to get to the next bar. Silence descended on the bar and just a few bemused punters remained in a now deserted Gringos wondering what the hell was going on !
Now with only 3 English bars left in 1850 Gringos will be greatly missed.