Phineas gets a makeover, but student feelings are mixed
Phineas after
Photography by Sophie Mitchell
Margareta Durovcikova shares student perspectives on the new look of the popular Union bar.
For years, Phineas has been a staple for UCL students, who regularly flock to it in search of a cheap pint and the famous strawberry toilet. Following its closure in March 2019 for refurbishment, the bar recently reopened with a brand new look, which has evoked a range of responses from students.
Many students have not welcomed this change. Emma, a 2nd year History of Art student, told Pi News: “I hate it! I don’t like it as much as I did last year… Yeah it was like retro. I mean it’s fine, you know, you can drink and sit and talk with your friends, but still…”.
Some feel that Phineas’ new design doesn’t create a nice atmosphere. One postgraduate Physics student said it “feels a bit clinical” which was echoed by Anjee, an MA student of European Politics who added: “It feels a bit institutional. With all the lights so bright, it doesn’t feel like a bar.”
Generally, the lighting seems to be an issue for students, as expressed by Liam, a 2nd year Project Management for Construction student who said: “In my opinion, it should be darker, to create an atmosphere.”
But not all impressions of the new face of Phineas are negative. Zsolt, a 3rd year Mechanical Engineering student remarked: “I like the new comfortable chairs.” Mohit, a recent Physics graduate added: “It’s less crowded, there is more space and floors aren’t sticky, so that’s an improvement!”
Phineas before
Source: Students’ Union UCL
Phineas before
Source: Students’ Union UCL
The bar takes its name from Phineas Maclino, a statue originally stolen from a carpet shop at Tottenham Court Road by UCL students in 1900. The highlander was donated to UCL by the owners of the shop after Phineas had been stolen repeatedly by students, and it was adopted as UCL’s mascot.
The mascot has since faced hardships. It has been subject to several kidnappings by King’s College students since 1922, when the rivalry between UCL and King’s began. In 1993, Phineas was finally placed in a glass box on the third floor of 25 Gordon Street and the bar was named after him.
However, he was removed again this year as the mascot has been a source of controversy. Recently, it was discovered that the statue had originally been stolen while students celebrated the siege of the town of Ladysmith by the British army during the Boer War in South Africa. This has led the Students’ Union to question whether a reminder of British colonialism is suitable for a university that tries to promote diversity and inclusion for its students. To decide on the issue, the Union opened a consultation to allow students to express their opinions until 15th November, and will hold a discussion at Union Executive on 2nd December.
Phineas after
Photography by Sophie Mitchell
The future of Phineas looks unclear, but one thing remains constant - despite the negative perception of its new look and its controversial history, students will likely not be abandoning the bar any time soon. Instead, many seem to have accepted the new look. As Liam put it: “it serves its purpose… It is what it is.”