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.

[pastafreak]

Two pubs that I've been in stand out as memorable. The first was in upstate N.Y. and frequented by many young people but never rowdy. It was dark and atmospheric, tables were rustic...many made of wood slabs, and there were books everywhere, plus chess and checkers boards. Probably very rough and ready by today's overvpolished standards. The second pub was the very first one I visited on my first UK visit. We were traveling from Heathrow to Wiltshire, and this tiny pub was on a country road. All I remember was that it seemed be the bar and very little else...oh, and the local colour. Mostly farming types speaking in hushed tones. Had my first Ploughmans there.

[pastafreak]

Oh...and no barmaids in that second pub. ;-0

[tamborine]

Cookhouse chef for inhouse displayed roasts; turkey, ham, beef & pork (3slices per plate) with selection of veg, sauces & real gravy.

Customers queue with plate to make choices at food counter.

ice cream at bar for dessert if wanted.

[Jennykenny]

There is a village in Ayrshire, Scotland, called Dalry where six out of seven pubs are up for sale.
This is obviously an exception, but don't you think this is the future? That more and more people will be drinking at home,and pubs, as such, will die out?

[ummmm]

Many of these answers make me think that many people just pop out for a drink on a Sunday afternoon, with maybe a spot of lunch.

[Garaman]

Character would draw me into a pub, along with good beer. Don't kid yourself that old-school ones have closed due to themed pubs though, as Jennykenny says more are drinking at home these days. Also tastes have changed for many and there isn't much of a living to be made from serving half a bitter and a plain cheese sandwich to a few oldies with their whippets.

[trt]

Likeaboss,

The very first thing you should take into consideration, is your personal life.
Have you a wife, partner, children etc, will you want to live in at the pub, or have a manager, to oversee the daily running?
It is not the best environment, for a family living over, or in a pub.

If you followed in all your suggestions above, and of what people want in a pub, you wouldn't last 6 months.

I had my first pub when I was 27 yrs old, up until I was 54, so I know a little about running pubs, and big ones too, with restaurants, and bar snacks.

When you were describing the pub of your dreams, and some of our friends on here, were giving their choices, It brought back great memory's of what pubs used to be.

Those days have gone forever, so I would either go for a loud, busy, music bar/pub/club, with a manager & doormen, in the centre of a town, and stay at home with the family.
Then go in the morning/afternoon, and do your checks.

Or a different kind of business altogether.

[DTCwordfan]

the question must be, do you want a local for locals, or a dining outlet/both, or a tourist outlet (no thanks on that one for me) - or a lovely pub/good restaurant/inn - here are two for your consideration, my local and a favourite inn as to the UK. the first a really nice inn with locals and a good restaurant, never 1 star though, or the latter - exceptional and a 1 star Michelin.

http://www.thebushinn.co.uk/home

http://www.yorke-arms.co.uk/

[Prudie]

Fire, dogs, no children, darts, bar billiards and a space invaders machine.

[RobNorth]

Drinking from nothing other than glasses...

[bednobs]

i know this is off topic, but mikey ... for some reason i always thought you were gay!

[New Judge]

"Drinking from nothing other than glasses.."

Indeed. All bottles should be retained behind the bar. In fact, if people who drink from bottles had seen what I have seen happen to some of them they would not put them anywhere near their mouths. A disgusting habit and I never really understood how or why it took hold. Bottles are really not respectable receptacles for drinking from.

It;s interesting to see that a number of respondents list "no children" high on their list of ideals.

[Mamyalynne]

Interesting observation Bednobs, if a little puzzling :-)


I'd like a pub that knows it's a pub and doesn't think it's a restaurant.

[bednobs]

why puzzling - i was just wrong

[Mamyalynne]

Sorry.

[Jackdaw33]

Are you thinking of buying this pub on the Scottish island you were going to buy yesterday?

[EDDIE51]

A lot of people have mentioned dogs welcome. There is a recently reopened pub near me , it is the only one that allows dogs in the bar. It is also the only one that does not serve food,apart from crisps. The two are connected, while there is no law against animals being in pubs the food hygiene regulations mean that any establishment that allows animals into food service areas can not be awarded a 4 or 5 star food hygiene rating ,(scores on the doors)
As most pubs serve food throughout the entire customer area it all counts as a food service area. Few will patronise a place that has a 3 star or less hygine rating!
When I was on Holiday in Norfolk I found a very good pub that only served food in the restaurant area , this meant that part of the pub was 'dog friendly', the part that did not serve food.

[EDDIE51]

Very few pubs can survive without selling food. The standard markup on food sales is 500% so it is VERY profitable.
The markup on beer is 30 to 40%
With regard to dogs I tried taking my dog into Weatherspoons and was told that even the outside seating was a food service area and so no dogs allowed. Food profit is the reason Weatherspoons can sell real ale at £1.89 where the other pubs charge £3.80 to £4.65 a pint!!!
You can't have it both ways. Even the new dog friendly pub is £3.80 a pint they say that as they don't sell food it is the cheapest possible price.

[EDDIE51]

Personally I would want Lager and alcopops banned from sale!!

[anneasquith]

A pub without lager ? , yeh that's going to work Eddie. :-)