London - "It's what Amy would have wanted, hic," a regular from an Arlington Street meths bench said today, "sure beats having to gargle with that White Lightning crap."
The comments echoed around NWI where North London's biggest free bar opened to the public late last night.
Scores of winos descended on the Camden Square floral shrine to Winehouse where eyewitnesses reported seeing 'alkie vagrants' rummaging among the tribute site's bouquets.
Fans had left bottles of vodka, rum, gin etc 'instead of the usual teddy bears' and other fluffy toys as a sign of homage to their dead departed songbird.
Also reported nestling among the petals were packets of cigarettes, rolling papers, filters and something described as a 'skunk grinder'.
The moving scene caught the imagination of various locals including a Catholic priest who was snapped - bizarrely - in full ceremonial regalia - 'performing some sort of funerary last rite'.
The 27 year-old entertainer was Jewish 'but probably would have appreciated' the attentions of another denomination whose rituals include the drinking of communion wine.
Pete Doherty is 32.
