Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
O Pentadactylos
I'm talking about the mysterious establishment across the road from the Salisbury. Blinds are permanently drawn, but if you peep through them at the right angle you can sometimes see venerable Greek - or Cypriot? - chaps sat around tables. I don't think they encourage walk-ins: there's a sign on the door telling you not to knock - to knock, never mind enter - after 9pm.
What are they up to?
Any reports from people who've been inside are especially welcome.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Hugh on
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It's the last of what were once many Greek Cypriot social clubs. The Hanoi Pho premises opposite used to be home to a simillar club till about four years ago.
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Permalink Reply by Michael Anderson on
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It's the last of the last of the Greek Cypriot men's social clubs on this part of Green Lanes. When we moved to the Ladder in 1984 it was already well established as were a number of others. A number of the others were named after football clubs for some reason. In the early days you could see a lot of intense card playing through the clouds of cigarette smoke but the really serious gambling went on in rooms in the back which were out of sight of the street. One of my neighbours, who died in the 80s used to more or less live in in of them and once lost his car in a game of cards (he ran out of money and only had that left to gamble with).
Even before I moved here I used to go to Bolts nightclub which was directly opposite O' Pentadactylos and it looked pretty ancient even then.
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Permalink Reply by Nick Hare on
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Thanks for the info. Sounds like a holdout, worth protecting.
Does anyone know what the card game of choice is?
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Permalink Reply by PT on
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As a Greek Cypriot myself (born in London & lived in the area for over 40 years) I would say it's 10 card rummy (Greek it's called goonga)
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Permalink Reply by Mavic Starfish on
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There are still at least 3 maybe 5 on West green road down in the stretch of road that runs from top of West Green (junction green lanes) to Park View Academy entrance. Not sure if they are Turkish, Greek or Kurdish, there's even a Somalian club. I guess the rents are cheaper and new retailers aren't biting the landlords hands off just yet. , so the landlords haven't sold out the lease just yet. By the way just noticed that the empty retail space next to Tescos had workers in and the windows covered over - somethings happening.
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Years ago I was told that the name means "the five fingers" and references mountains (hills?) in Cyprus. Perhaps PT knows if this is so?
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Looks like you are correct: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyrenia_Mountains
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