Nine guest ales (from £2.50 a pint; the Bishop's Farewell, from Oakham Ales, brightly crisp and fruity) and a busy programme of gigs, music and film events are the main draws, but the Criterion's stone-baked pizzas play their part.
Amy Winehouse may have been performing for little more than 80 people that night in the tiny St James Church, but the gig, filmed for Irish music programme Other Voices, would turn out to be one of the most exquisite and intimate performances she would ever give.
He also vowed to "broaden out" the musical offering: this year's programme will see gigs by Sufjan Stevens and a collaboration between Franz Ferdinand and Sparks.
Corré, who founded the lingerie company Agent Provocateur, previously said he was angered by plans to mark 40 years of the subculture with a programme of events, gigs and exhibitions called Punk London, supported by partners including the mayor of London, the British Library and the British Film Institute.
A friend had brought a programme from another Oasis gig into school, and it featured this picture.
It's not a particularly high-profile gig, and the Best of Classics-style programme rings alarm bells warning of musicians on autopilot.
You'd look a right cherry wearing it, even if you slung the mirrored electric guitar that hangs nearby over your shoulder and headed off to every gig announced on the T.Rex 1972 tour programme.
As well as the women's fiction prize, Orange is ending its five-year partnership with RockCorps - a community programme that rewards volunteers with gig tickets - and its 11-year sponsorship of the National Business Awards.
Apparently the shop owner stages these informal gigs regularly; by the time the eclectic programme has finished, I am rather expecting an invite to sleep over.
And for five glorious days there will be talks from Bridget Riley and Wolfgang Tillmans, free film screenings in an artist's cinema and, for the first time, a music programme, including a Hercules and Love Affair gig underneath London Bridge station.
