Carlisle RAOB Club (the Buffs)

History

Opened Premises bought in 1931

Premises since

1931

Order founded

August 1822, at the Harp Tavern, London

Rare survival

One of only three purpose-built RAOB lodge rooms left in Britain

Maxim

Justice, Truth and Philanthropy

Not a pub but a members' club, the Carlisle branch of the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes, and the thing worth knowing is at the back. There's a purpose-built RAOB lodge room, a dedicated ceremonial space, and it is one of only three left in the country, behind an ordinary-looking Carlisle social club.

The order itself has an odd start. It was founded in August 1822 at the Harp Tavern near the Drury Lane theatre, by an artist called Joseph Lisle and a comedian called William Sinnett, along with stagehands and theatre technicians: a theatrical drinking and mutual-aid society. The name came from a song of the day, 'We'll Chase the Buffalo'. The Royal and the Antediluvian were bolted on later; originally they were just the Buffaloes. Antediluvian means 'before the flood', which is a Victorian fraternal joke about how ancient they were pretending to be.

It grew into one of the largest fraternal organisations in Britain and the Commonwealth, built on charity and mutual support, funding orphanages, convalescent homes and help for members and their families. The maxim is Justice, Truth and Philanthropy.

The Carlisle Buffs bought 20 Fisher Street in 1931 and have been there ever since. It is an early nineteenth-century house, Flemish bond brickwork, Grade II listed as list entry 1297379. Despite the private-order business it works as an open venue: bingo, weekend entertainment, room hire, and a drink for anyone who wants one.

On getting in: anyone can. It holds a Club Premises Certificate rather than a premises licence, which is the legal form for a members' club, and that is easy to read as members-only. It isn't. The certificate describes how the place is licensed, not who gets a pint, and at the Buffs you do not need to know anybody.