The Drawingroom, Chesham, is loved for its wholesome food, live music and inspirational art although in recent years music has taken over as its main pull and it is now one of our closest and best music venues.
Cafe
The café is open all week serving cracking breakfasts, brunches, lunches and tea with a selection of dishes from Toasties to Mackerel Fillet and Tapas and it opens until late from Wednesday through to Saturday.
Despite the excellent breakfast sausages the cafe is especially geared to vegetarians .
Venue
Drawingroom gigs make a great family night out as under 25s are half price and younger children welcome and free. Early bookings get the best seats. It’s a social set up – expect to talk to fellow audience members and Richard himself. Space is tight – don’t be surprised if you don’t see the performance, ( you will hear it though) – some diners will watch on screens seated at cushion strewn benches inside the draped Moroccan style Den, pictured below.
“ The Drawingroom, and its dynamic owner, Richard has played an important part in the encouragement and development of the careers of many local artists including my own band, Tinlin.” says Alex Tinlin
“I met Richard when I was busking with a jazz violinist on the high street about ten years ago. Richard asked us to come and play for his customers who were enjoying a cup of the famous Drawing Room coffee in the yard, and the rest is history.
I have played at the Drawingroom many times now, in various different guises, and always look forward to the chilled-out atmosphere
As a musician, I will always be grateful for the support and the opportunities Richard has given me over the years. Long may the Drawingroom continue rocking, albeit in a chilled-out and polite manner!”
‘It’s a unique venue’ adds Lisbee Stainton, “ rarely do you find a place that is so supportive of new/unsigned artists, musicians, songwriters and performers.
Richard makes it feel like home for everyone who walks through its doors, which is why performers and audiences alike keep coming back again and again. It’s one of my favourite places to play.. i’ve played there about 8 times now!”
As well as regular gigs (inside and out in the courtyard) featuring emerging musicians, there are events hosted by other creative groups including Writers and scribblers, Songwriters and musicians. It’s even home to Bucks Backgammon Club,
History
The building in Francis Yard made from oak, plaster and lath goes back to 1550 but has been extended over the years. Some of the oak is said to have from a Spanish ship so the beams could be 1000 years old. The building was once a peasant dwelling and ale house including a stable and it is rumoured that haberdasher Roger Crab who inspired Lewis Carrol’s Mad Hatter lived there in the mid 1600s.Look out for Wonderland inspired sculptures in the courtyard.
Today’s owner Richard Elkington set up an art gallery and café literally from his front room hence the name The Drawingroom.
