Cellar Bar - 1 Prospect Place
Now Cellar Arts Club - Members Only
   

This was the Cellar Bar, in Prospect Place. We know very little about it, such as when it started, who owned it, and just about everything else!

We also have to admit to some confusion. We had linked the Robert Bruce Club and the Claymore as being part of its history when in fact this was a different building in the next street along, Augusta Place.

In the interest of continuity, we've added a bit further down about the Bruce and Claymore Clubs.
   
The image above shows the sign in Prospect Place directing you to the front entrance which was down some steps to the right of the entrance to Rioja, a Spanish wine bar.

We paid a visit in 2011, just as it opened so we could see what it was like inside before it became populated. Although it's in a cellar, it was surprisingly spacious and long. This allowed for entertainment such as bands to play without being tucked in a corner.

In May 2015, it was refitted and launched as the Oasis Kitchen & Lounge, with a modern makeover. In December 2016, it closed for a short period and reopened as the Cellar Arts Club, a licensed members-only club.

 

   
   
2015 - The Oasis Kitchen and Lounge refit
   
   
   

 Time Line

  
   
   
Robert Bruce & Claymore Club
   
As mentioned at the top, we inadvertently connected the Robert Bruce and Claymore Clubs with the Cask Club, later the Cellar Bar. We were in error.

The Bruce and Claymore private members clubs were situated at 66 Marine Parade with an entrance in Augusta Place, whereas the Cask club was on the next road along, Prospect Place. The buildings were almost identical.

Right, the then delict building that previously housed the clubs. The whole block was demolished and replaced with a block of flats known as Augusta House.

Our thanks to the members of Bygone Worthing (Facebook) for a wealth of information that helped us.
   
This is Victor Passfield with his wife Mary who started the ball rolling. Victor, a former grocer, opened the Capri Club that fronted Marine Parade, which we think closed in 1959.

It reopened as the Robert Bruce Club around 1961, or at least that was when it was granted a drinks license.

It had been a battle; the authorities suspected that the club was a 'proprietary club', meaning it was owned by Passfield and he benefited from the profits and had overall control.

He however, insisted it was a member's club, meaning it was owned and operated solely by the members and Passfield was only paid a salary as he worked there. His inability to supply proof of income didn't help.

In essence, the club was a dining one with some entertainment. Passover did, however, open the'Stacks Club' on the floor above, which was for gaming. He was part proprietor.