Portsmouth Music Scene


The Mikado Cafe's



In Palmerston Road

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The photo above shows the Mikado Cafe in Palmerston Road.
There is a small stage with a piano on the right, where a trio or quartet would have played.

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From the Portsmnouth NEWS 17th November 2001 by Ron Brown.
Recalling a Southsea Resaurant which exuded style reminisent of the Gilbert and Sullivan operafrom which it took it's name. If she had been reviewing in the balmy inter-war days.
I feel sure that The News food and restaurant critic, Carol Godsrnark, would have awarded the dear old Mikado Cafe in Palmerston-Road, Southsea, an overall five-star rating.
The Mikado exuded an atmosphere of style and elegance. A visit to this restaurant was an experience enjoyed by many making it the in place at-Southsea in the 20s and 30s. Peggy Coman, nee Grey, has fond memories of the Mikado Cafe. She was born there in 1917. Her father, William Herbert Grey, was the manager, and the family lived in a large maisonette over the premises.
Mr Grey also managed a second Mikado Cafe in Elm Grove. which was part of a block named Mikado Buildings, with John Baker, the gents' outfitters, on one side and Arthur Weeks the jeweller on the other. It was by no means as large as its , namesake in Palmerston:Road but Peggy recalls that it did boast a garden at the rear where clients could sit In fine weather. The Palmerston Road premises, which were then a few doors north of the Knight and Lee departmental store was known locally as The Mik. Until Peggy was born, her mother did all the cooking for the main restaurant. They also had a shop which sold cakes, pastries and doughnuts, all produced in its own bakery this would now be the rear of Woolworth's.
The cafe was also renowned for its fine roasted coffee, the aroma of which would blend wonderfully with the mouth-watering scent from the bakery. Behind the fascia of the Mikado lay a splendour which was sure to "surprise' a first-time visitor, which Peggy recalls as reminiscent of a scene from the Gilbert and Sullivan operetta from which it took its name. There was a grand balcony which ran the entire length of the place. On the ground floor, cane tables and chairs led down to an ornamental pond and fountain. In the early days, a Palm Court-style-trio, comprising cello violin and piano, would play in the background during morning coffee and afternoon tea periods. Later in the 1930s, tea dances were held on Wednesdays and Saturdays, as well as Saturday night dances.
Peggy recalls being given a ride on the cafe carpet when the men rolled it back to reveal the large dance floor. She also remembers the resident dance band, which also played at the Savoy Ballroom on South Parade. Mr Davis the proprietor of the Mikado, was also associated with the Savoy Ballroom. When it was built and opened in the early 30s, he installed Peggy's father as the manager. Mr Grey remained at the helm of the Savoy until the outbreak of war when the Royal Navy requisitioned. He then became manager at Kimbells in Osborne Road. With virtually the whole of Palmerston Road, the Mikado fell victim to Hitler's bombs on the terrible night of January 10, 1941. Thankfully, the Grey family had , moved to Northern Parade, escaping the Southsea destruction.
Peggy retains happy memories of her childhood attending the Convent of the Cross School in Grove Road North. In later life, after two marriages, she became Peggy Ellis, wife of well-known house remover and ballroom dancer Charlie Ellis, and latterly Peggy Coman. - After 40 years in North End and Hilsea, Peggy finally returned to Southsea in 1978 to live in Palmerston Road again, not that far from her birthplace.
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Kellys Directory, 1896 15-17 Palmerston Rd, Southsea NIL
Kellys Directory, 1900 Halson, Stone and Co Confectioners, 15-17 Palmerston Rd, Southsea
Kellys Directory, 1905 Halson, Stone and Co Confectioners, 15-17 Palmerston Rd, Southsea
Kellys Directory, 1911/12 Halson, Stone and Co Confectioners, 15-17 Palmerston Rd, Southsea

Halson, Stone and Co were the proprietors of the Mikado Cafe's
Kellys Directory, 1911/12 Mikado Cafe 15-17 Palmerston Rd, Southsea NIL
Kellys Directory, 1918 Mikado Cafe 15-17 Palmerston Rd, Southsea
Kellys Directory, 1929/30 Mikado Cafe 15-17 Palmerston Rd, Southsea
Kellys Directory, 1935 Mikado Cafe 15-17 Palmerston Rd, Southsea
Kellys Directory, 1936/7 Mikado Cafe 15-17 Palmerston Rd, Southsea Restaurant and Caterers
Kellys Directory, 1939/40 15-17 Palmerston Rd, Southsea NIL


In Elm Grove

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In Elm Grove the black and white photo shows a Mikado sign
and the colour photo shows the Irish club in 2012 with the Mikado name above the door.

Portsmouth Evening News - Wednesday 07 November 1923

Portsmouth Evening News - Thursday 08 February 1923 Portsmouth Evening News - Wednesday 14 March 1923 Portsmouth Evening News - Saturday 20 October 1923

Portsmouth Evening News - Wednesday 07 November 1923

Portsmouth Evening News - Saturday 05 January 1924

Portsmouth Evening News - Wednesday 09 January 1924 Portsmouth Evening News - Tuesday 04 March 1924 Portsmouth Evening News - Friday 28 March 1924

Portsmouth Evening News - Tuesday 11 November 1924

Portsmouth Evening News - Saturday 21 November 1925a

Portsmouth Evening News - Wednesday 19 January 1927 Portsmouth Evening News - Wednesday 16 February 1927 Portsmouth Evening News - Tuesday 05 April 1927

Portsmouth Evening News - Saturday 21 May 1927

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From the 1926/7 Kelly's Directory(left)
London Gazette, Eric Berkeley Higgins, Savoy and Makado Cafes(Southsea) 2nd April 1957

Mikado Buildings, 1-3
1923-1928 In Elm Grove, north from 39 1
1934-2008 75-79 Elm Grove 1
On site of Elm Grove Villa

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Halson, Stone and Co were the proprietors of the Mikado Cafe's
George Edwin Smith architect 1910 Mikado Cafe and Ballroom 145


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