What Features Would You Like To See In An Old School Type Pub And What Would Draw You There Away From The Larger Corporation Theme Pubs?

[Likeaboss]

I'm mulling a few ideas over and am thinking of buying a pub as many of the old school type ones have closed down due to the popularity of themed pubs leaving many folk who don't like the young, loud and characterless theme pubs.

What would draw you there and what do you miss about the old school pubs that you would happily welcome if one opened up near you?

Thanks in advance.

[237SJ]

Lots of wood. No sports screens. No stupid names such as The Bloated Mallard. Little nooks and crannies and a real fire. Decent accoustics so that you can have a conversation without being drowned out by noise.

[New Judge]

“..if i opened a popular pub but everyone wants quiet how would that work?”

There’s a difference between a quiet pub (which probably does little business) and a non-rowdy pub. There’s nothing better in a pub when all you can hear is the hubbub of the clientele chatting and enjoying themselves. That model falls apart when loud noises are introduced (e.g. loud music, telly (especially sport); children screaming and running around). People then begin to shout to make themselves heard, the background noise gets louder to overcome the raised voices and so it goes on. Before long you have a cacophony of pure noise which is at best far from pleasant and at worst will drive many of your customers away.

There’s a market for rowdy pubs. Some people love it. But equally there’s a market for non-rowdy pubs.

[237SJ]

Oh, and a character behind the bar really helps

[jambutty]

I say ditto to pasta at 16:08.

[Likeaboss]

I am noting all of these amazing ideas and thank you.

I'm also thinking large oak tables, maroon velvet quilted seating and a large picture, possibly of the queen?

New judge, i remember going to a pub with my father and grandfather and one think that really used to catch my senses was the pipe smoke and watching my grandfather and others twiddle with their pipe gadgets before taking lighting it and having a marvelous relaxed smile and the aroma of the tobacco, woody and earthy just felt right for the scene.

I'm just wondering if there is a way to have that smokey smell via a gadget or incense.

237sj, less of a peggy mitchell character and more of a julie goodyear?

[Likeaboss]

Jordyboy9 was this an independent traditional pub or a chain pub, where there other pubs in the close vicinity and where was the geographic location?

[DTCwordfan]

NO One armed bandits or similar. If you must have something, then bar billiards is the limit.

[DTCwordfan]

a fireplace with good logs will do that, lab

[ummmm]

Cheap pool table, pool, darts, and any other games teams.

[Likeaboss]

I'm loving the idea of a dartboard, this screams traditional even if no one uses it also the cards and board games, cluedo, backgammon, draughts, chess etc.. Some reclaimed wood for the bar.

I'll have to invite everyone for free drinks on opening as a token of my appreciation.

I'm popping out now so will pick this up later but thank you all, your advice is very much appreciated.

[david small]

No chips, no cooked meals. Rolls, sandwiches, no salad.
Pint mugs or straight glasses. Comfy chairs, no music, no TVs not sure about old fashioned one arm bandit, not electrical. Decent bear and wine. No happy hour. If possible pub mini bus to take people home for modest arrangement. No kids, yobs.

[ummmm]

The main thing though is a good landlord/landlady.

[Tilly2]

I wouldn't want to see a bear in a pub, decent or not.

[david small]

Tilly you know what slippy fingers can be like.

[Tilly2]

I do, David. :-)

[ummmm]

Will it be a country pub?

[melv16]

Barmaids with big jugs;-)

[DTCwordfan]

agree about the staff, like barmaids with smaller breasts.....

[Tilly2]

You need to go to Germany for big jugs, Melv.