The Taylor Swift effect: Fans flock to London pubs that star name drops in ... trends now

Taylor Swift fans have already started visiting pubs apparently named in her new album - adding to an already long list of London landmarks she has referenced in her lyrics.

'Swifties' initially speculated that The Black Dog - Track 17 on the album - was a metaphor for depression. But now that the lyrics are out, it actually seems to be a reference to a very specific spot in London - a freehouse in Vauxhall. 

'You forgot to turn [your location] it off,' Swift sings. 'And so I watch as you walk into some bar called The Black Dog.'

Fans theorised that the lines refer to the aftermath of her breakup with British actor Joe Alwyn, with Swift supposedly seeing him going into the pub via her smartphone. 

Twins Kylee and Jordan Ludwig and their friend Katelyn Anziano, all 20, visited the pub today.

Kylee said: 'As soon as we heard the lyrics and realised it was a real place, we knew we just had to come here. I mean, we can now say we were in The Black Dog on the day of its release.'

Katelyn added: 'It'll become part of Taylor Swift lore. Especially because it's such a sad, emotional song.'

Jordan was particularly excited to visit The Black Dog and said she had already fallen in love with the new album.

'I love Taylor's more depressing songs, and for me Tortured Poets was the perfect mix of the production value of Midnights with the tone of folklore and evermore,' she said. I love it.'

The trio are all from the United States but have been studying abroad at London's Arcadia University since January. They describe themselves as mega Swifties - and have all already been to The Eras Tour.

The Black Dog isn't the only Swift-related spot they've visited while in London. 

Kylee said: 'We've actually been living in Highgate, which is obviously mentioned in the song ''London Boy'' and is around where Joe Alwyn is from. So we've really been immersed in the Taylor Swift culture.'

Connor Price, assistant manager at The Black Dog, said the three students weren't the only fans who have visited the pub.

He said: 'We've already had quite a few groups. Some came in and asked for a vodka and Diet Coke, as that's apparently Taylor's favourite drink.

'And last night we had a group in Taylor Swift t-shirts, which was before the whole song was even out.'

Mr Price, 36, said he's hoping the mention might be good for business. He said: 'At the moment, it's all a bit of fun - people have been giving us Google reviews based on the song, which are mostly 5* so that's good.

'But we're thinking we might get some more customers here around the time when Taylor's tour comes to London, so that would be good.'

Aware of its Taylor Swift-related appeal, The Black Dog is even offering a special deal to fans.

Amy Cowley, 41, the pub's marketing consultant, said: 'We are running a deal for anyone who comes in and quotes a lyric from Taylor's song. The first 100 through the door will get a free 'Swift Half' of Black Dog lager.

'And, after that, the ''Swift Half'' will be free with a purchase of food for a week.'

Another London pub which Swift may have referenced in her new album is The Bolter in The City.

The reference isn't as explicit as the one relating to The Black Dog, but it's still a track title - and fans have noticed.

Dan Block, the pub's site manager, said: 'We've had people in here asking if Taylor Swift has been in here. People have asked which table she sat at - who she was with.

'Personally, I'm pretty sure she's never been here, but we do have a karaoke bar downstairs so we're ready if she does want to stop by.'

The sign at the pub's entrance reads: 'Have a Swift one.'

Another London pub - The Spaniards Inn in Hampstead - is also a confirmed Swift spot, with she and Alwyn spotted leaving the pub after what was believed to be their first public date.

One staff member, who did not want to be named, said: 'I wasn't working here at the time but I know that definitely happened.

'There were photos of her inside near the bar. So we do sometimes get fans coming in asking if it's true, asking if we saw her.