Joe Alwyn has recently addressed rumors about his connection to “The Black Dog” pub in London, which was mentioned in a song by his ex-girlfriend, Taylor Swift. The actor, who dated Swift for six years before their breakup in April 2023, firmly denied ever visiting the pub.
In an interview with The Sunday Times, Alwyn, 33, who grew up in London, stated that he had never been to Vauxhall, the area where the pub is located. “I’ve never been to Vauxhall,” he said, with a smile that suggested there might be more to the story.
Swift had referenced “The Black Dog” pub in a bonus track on her latest album, “The Tortured Poets Department,” leading many to speculate that the song was about Alwyn. The pub’s social media manager, Lily Bottomley, even hinted in an interview with Sky News that Alwyn was a regular visitor. “I don’t want to give too much away, but we have a certain blonde regular customer who frequents,” Bottomley said.
Adding to the intrigue, Bottomley also told the BBC that Swift had visited the pub. Following the album’s release, Business Insider reported on the influx of Swift fans flocking to The Black Dog. The pub has since capitalized on this newfound attention by introducing Swift-themed menu items like the “Swiftburger” and “Taylor’s version” cocktails, as well as a line of merchandise.
Despite the speculation, some fans believe the song might actually be about Matty Healy, the lead singer of The 1975, with whom Swift reportedly had a brief relationship. The owners of another pub named The Black Dog in Cork, Ireland, even put up a sign reading “Team Matty” after rumors circulated that Swift’s song referred to their establishment.
In the song, Swift sings about seeing her former partner at The Black Dog through a location-sharing app. “I am someone who until recent events you shared your secrets with / And your location, you forgot to turn it off,” she croons. “And so I watch as you walk / Into some bar called The Black Dog / And pierce new holes in my heart.”
While some tracks on Swift’s latest album are thought to be about her relationship with Alwyn, fans are divided on whether “The Black Dog” is about him or Healy. Alwyn, however, maintains that he has never set foot in the pub.
During his interview with The Sunday Times, Alwyn discussed his leisure activities, which he said were quite ordinary. “It probably looks pretty similar to yours, or anyone’s — seeing friends, traveling, going to the pub,” he said, adding humorously, “Can I make a more boring list?” When asked if his favorite pub might be The Black Dog in Vauxhall, he reiterated, “I’ve never been to Vauxhall,” with a smile that hinted at more.
Alwyn and Swift were first linked romantically in May 2017 and dated until April 2023. The actor described their relationship as “long, loving” and “fully committed.” When asked if he had listened to Swift’s latest album, Alwyn responded indirectly, acknowledging that navigating the end of their relationship was challenging.
Since their split, Swift has moved on and is now in a relationship with Travis Kelce, a tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs. Meanwhile, The Black Dog pub in Vauxhall has continued to enjoy the surge in popularity brought on by Swift’s song. The pub’s marketing manager, Amy Cowley, told PEOPLE in April that the attention has been surreal. “We’ve had a huge request from fans for merchandise,” Cowley revealed. “We’re creating T-shirts and people are already buying our pint glasses.”
The pub has also introduced new menu items to cater to the influx of Swifties, including a Swift Burger and a Black Dog lager. Cowley noted that the pub was already well-loved locally, but the global attention has been overwhelming.
As the speculation continues, one thing is clear: Joe Alwyn is adamant that he has never visited The Black Dog pub in Vauxhall, despite what Taylor Swift’s lyrics might suggest.
