Why did the Irishmen cross the road?

To get to the London Borough of Camden. One side of Kilburn High Road is in Brent; the other is in Camden. Before licensing laws were relaxed, Brent was regarded as Outer London and Camden was Inner London. During the week, Outer London pubs had to close at 10.30 but those in Inner London could stay open till 11.00. This led to a nightly Kilburn ritual. At about 10.32, dozens of Irishmen would cross from The Cock, Biddy Mulligan’s and the North London Tavern on the Brent side to get get another couple of pints in at the Old Bell, the Colin Campbell or the Cooper’s Arms on the Camden side. Though tonight, being St. Patrick’s Night, there wouldn’t be mere dozens staggering across the High Road – there would be hundreds.