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Have you visited Leamington Spa’s “The DB” – a comic-themed pub?

By John Freeman on March 3, 2024

Established in 2015 The DB (“Drawing Board”) in Leamington Spa is an independent free house, a much celebrated eatery and drinkery on two floors. It’s also one of a handful of British pubs and similar venues we know of with a comics theme to its decor.

Once described as a “hipster holding pen”, its mismatched dining furniture, log burners and squishy leather sofas provide ideal refuge from Leamington’s mean streets, offering a range of craft beers and a good food menu, too.

Framed vintage comic books and games consoles adorn the walls, whilst annuals from yesteryear fill the shelves.

The owners also run The DB Tap & Bottle, a smaller taproom and a restaurant, The Magic Wingdom, elsewhere in the town.

• The DB is at 18 Newbold St, Leamington Spa, CV32 4HN | Web: thedrawingboard.pub

With thanks to Myles Sullivan

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.