Yes to both questions. A while since I was in. Beer OK but not the same as the stuff they used to bring up from the cellar in a jug. Think there was only two places left selling it and when the old dears passed away they stopped brewing it.
Used to be in there on Friday nights '63-'66, but forget what the brew they sold was ? They used to wash the glasses in wooden (I think) bowls on an open table - didn't really have a real bar in the room we drank in - as you say, stuff came up in jugs. Great memories. Cheap beer in those days too. Edit: They may have brought a couple of wooden kegs up at some point and tapped from them on the table - vague memory sadly.
The late Robert Quine on guitar. Cuedos to Lou Reed. His simple songs are the best and most played like WOTWS & WFTM. but.... Every time you see a clip on YewTube he is trying to do it different. Would have been very easy to play the recorded version everyone wants to hear.
Tend to agree - the best musicians try to keep their stuff fresh through improvisation. Nov 6th '71, Velvet Underground due to play in Leeds - had tickets and all - busted at the airport ( allegedly suspicious chemicals in one of the band's gear), so concert cancelled. Never seen 'em live as a result. Pissed off, but hey ho !