- Ariana Grande has hit headlines after fans flocked to one of her favorite UK pubs
- Followers worked out that Grande is referencing The Holly Bush on her track, Hampstead
- But Grande isn’t the only star to have boosted profits at UK establishments…
Ariana Grande hit headlines this week, after fans worked out a hidden reference in one of her songs.
Appearing on the deluxe edition of her seventh studio album, Eternal Sunshine, Hampstead is the 19th and last bonus track on the record.
In the song’s cryptic lyrics, Grande, 31, sings, “I left my heart at a pub in Hampstead. And I misplaced my mind in a good way.”
And now followers of the Wicked star have worked out that she is referencing a pub called The Holly Bush – as she follows the North London establishment on Instagram.
Fans have “made the pilgrimage” to the pub, and a source revealed, “It’s safe to say profits are up. The pub has never been busier.
“Staff have no issue chatting to fans. But they are keeping the details of Ari’s trips to a minimum.
“She used to visit the pub with [ex-husband] Dalton Gomez then with [boyfriend] Ethan Slater. She was often seen in the private side room with her Wicked co-star Cynthia Erivo.”
In the past, Grande has said of London, “I miss it so much. I loved it here. I was in Hampstead.
“I loved my walks in the heath, I loved meandering around and visiting different shops and places and pubs.
“I didn’t know what a Sunday roast was but I know that that’s a thing now. And I am changed for the better.”
So with Grande’s boost to the UK hospitality industry, which other famous faces have had a similar effect on establishments? Pubity.com takes a look…
Taylor Swift
Fans went wild when Taylor Swift dropped the deluxe version of her album, The Tortured Poets Department, last year.
But they were even more thrilled when they realized they could visit one of the places she sings about on the record.
In The Black Dog, Swift, 35, references spotting an ex-boyfriend entering the pub – most likely the British actor Joe Alwyn, who lives in the area.
But while the mystery man could have been Alwyn or 1975 singer Matty Healy, fans didn’t care – as they descended on the pub of the same name.
Situated in Vauxhall, the small venue was quickly swamped with Swifties – while its staff scoured CCTV for a sighting of the world’s biggest pop star.
Lily Bottomley, events and social manager for the group that owns the Black Dog, said the mention had taken the neighbourhood pub by surprise.
“I was like, ‘Wow, what a coincidence, that’s crazy’. Then traffic got bigger, and then just exploded when her album went live,” she recalled. “We created a TikTok, started posting, interacting with fans.
“We’re completely booked out this week and we’re nearly full for her tour dates. It’s been amazing for the business, the fans have been overwhelmingly positive.
“We’ve been looking at past security footage [for Swift]. We haven’t found anything but you never know. I’ve heard that whenever she visits places she puts a cap on, so we could have missed it. We’d love to have her back!”
Ed Sheeran
Okay, while Ed Sheeran has more skin in the game for this one, he’s still boosted tourism in West London.
The Shape of You singer, 34, is the proud owner of Bertie Blossoms pub in Notting Hill.
Back in September 2019, Sheeran and his business partner Stuart Camp built a pub with the intention of also hosting live music performances.
Taking inspiration from Sheeran’s wife Cherry Seaborn (cherry blossoms) and the nickname of Camp’s partner Liberty Shaw (Bertie), the pair named their pub Bertie Blossoms.
Calvin Harris
And while fans may know him best for his chart-topping hits, Calvin Harris has helped the music scene in his hometown to thrive.
Hailing from Dumfries in Scotland, the DJ, 41 – whose real name is Adam Wiles – is part of a group called To The Nines which bought the Coach and Horses on the Whitesands a couple of years ago.
Title deeds show the group bought the pub back in August 2023 for £190,000 – and it has continued to build on its reputation as a local music venue.
Praised by bands, music organisations and people working to revive the town centre, it is giving a boost to the south of Scotland town where the global superstar grew up.
Hagen Patterson, director of the Dumfries Music Collective (DMC) said it could offer a “leg up” to local artists – and it was great that Harris had helped allow the “iconic grassroots music venue”.
“Performing live for the first time, even if just for a handful of listeners, provides invaluable experience,” he said. “It’s a chance to try out brand new material, gauge reactions, and build a local fan base.
“We are delighted that Calvin and Mark have ensured the longevity of the Coach and Horses, this helps foster our scene.”
