The Londoner pub in Dallas was left reeling this week as a fire marshal shut down the venue during England's World Cup thriller against Croatia. The scenes of fan frenzy that unfolded were reminiscent of a maelstrom – chaotic and out of control, with the pub's management describing it as 'mayhem'.
Just 24 hours earlier, The Londoner had been basking in the glory of selling an impressive 5,000 beers to England supporters. However, their celebrations took a dramatic turn when they released a statement expressing gratitude for the business but also lamenting the destruction caused by overzealous fans.
The pub's management urged patrons to remember that it operates within a complex and not just as a standalone venue, with other businesses and residents nearby who didn't sign up for the Three Lions fan fest. Footage circulating on social media painted a picture of pandemonium – hundreds of England supporters packed into the venue like sardines in a tin, desperate to catch every moment of the match.
The night before, police had been called in to disperse fans who refused to leave despite pleas from authorities to do so. The pub's bar staff revealed that they'd sold an astonishing 2,352 bottles of beer on the previous evening alone, contributing to a staggering total of over 5,000 beers shifted and generating a tidy £30,000 in sales – although this figure has since been disputed.
Despite the mayhem, a number of England fans stayed behind to lend a hand with the clean-up efforts. The Londoner Pub announced plans to reopen at 11am on Thursday, hoping to restore some semblance of order and calm after the tumultuous events.