Ariana Grande left her heart at a Hampstead pub, and eager-eyed fans think they’ve found it. Now, this London pub has become a hotspot for any pop-music lover
Ariana Grande has sent fans into a frenzy with a simple lyric that’s as romantic as it is mysterious: “I left my heart at a pub in Hampstead.” The line, which opens her new track Hampstead from the deluxe edition of her album Eternal Sunshine, has triggered major speculation among Londoners and devoted fans alike.
The track dropped last week alongside a beautifully shot short film titled Brighter Days Ahead and instantly became a favourite for those who know and appreciate the beauty and charm of North London. The tune feels like a little love letter to a city Ariana once called home, with its impactful, nostalgic references to her time spent in one of its most idyllic neighbourhoods.
While filming for Wicked, Ariana was living in Hampstead, soaking in the area’s green streets and classic old pubs between long days on set at Sky Studios Elstree. She told BBC Radio 1’s Ali Plumb: “I miss it here so much. I loved it here so much. I was in Hampstead when I was here and I loved my walks in the Heath.” So, it’s no surprise that a local pub became the backdrop for some cherished memories.
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Even though Ariana didn’t name the pub in the song itself, fans still believe they’ve cracked the code. We know by now that you can trust any loyal fan base to provide convincing evidence when it comes to uncovering celebrity easter eggs.
The Holly Bush, a cosy, tucked-away pub in the heart of Hampstead, is now marked as the prime suspect. The pub is reminiscent of a place where you could lose a few hours in, with it’s warm lighting, creaky floorboards, and a fireplace or two.
In the Brighter Days Ahead short film, a blink-and-you-might-miss-it glimpse of The Holly Bush appears in the Hampstead section, giving eager-eyed fans the confirmation they needed. Not long after the film was released, the pub’s official Instagram account posted a charming montage of video clips from inside the venue set to the track. The caption read simply: “Hampstead, this song has our hearts.”
What sealed the deal was Ariana herself interacting with the post, liking it, commenting, and even following the account. For many fans, that was the case closed.
Within hours, comments rolled in from around the world. “My life’s goal is to visit THEEEE Hampstead pub now”, read one. “Ariana sharing, commenting and following basically confirming this is the pub she’s singing about, you guys are about to get BUSY,” wrote another.
The song paints a vivid emotional picture. “I left my heart at a pub in Hampstead, and I misplaced my mind in a good way,” she sings. “Threw away my reputation but saved us more heartache.” It’s bittersweet and, like so many of her top hits, it’s packed with personal meaning.
Many fans also think the track nods to her relationship with Wicked co-star Ethan Slater, who she reportedly began dating during filming. While it may never be confirmed whether it’s about him or not, there’s still a deep sense of vulnerability in the lyrics that resonate deeply to her listeners.
In the short film, Grande’s character, Peaches, revisits key moments from her past, both joyful and painful, before they’re erased forever. At one point, her father (played by Ariana’s real-life dad Edward Butera) is seen stitching her back together after heartbreak, just as the Hampstead track plays.
For The Holly Bush, this quiet local gem may never be the same again. With its ivy-covered exterior and celebrity clientele (Liam and Noel Gallagher are also known to stop in), The Holly Bush has always been praised for its unique charm. But now, the pub is immortalised in pop history, as a tiny piece of London that meant enough to one of the world’s biggest stars to write about.
