Always a Warm Welcome

We are Dario Villanueva and Debbie Bragg, a photographic duo based in East London.

We are documenting the pubs of the East End — the cultural and social role these places hold in their communities, and the threat that gentrification poses to their continued existence.

We are drawn to the new lease of life traditional pubs have found through independent and DIY nights: raves, live bands, cabaret, performers, karaoke, LGBTQ+ nights and general East End knees-ups. Places where everyone is welcome — young mixed with old, gay with straight, black with white — and a good honest time is had by all. No frills, all thrills.

We document the nights — their performers, their punters and their atmosphere — all through a lens of admiration, appreciation and respect.

Always a Warm Welcome is an ongoing project. We have 14 pubs on the list so far.