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.

[Jackdaw33]

When I started drinking in the mid 60s lager was only available in bottles and drunk almost exclusively by women. You were as likely to see a man drinking Babycham as lager.

[Garaman]

The reason you wouldn't find men drinking lager in the early 60s is that it was too strong for them. Sales started to take off when brewers responded to demand and reduced the SG greatly just for the British market. Brits got what they wanted and weak lager is now the most popular drink in the UK. All the flavour is missing in the weakened brew of course, but that doesn't seem to worry Brits, and if it does they would rather add lime than try a stronger one with real beer flavour.

[ummmm]

Eddie...where have you got your facts and figures from?

[mikey4444]

Eddie is right in the connection between dogs and serving food, especially regarding Wetherspoons.

[ummmm]

My uncle has a 5* rating and he allows dogs in. He only sells rolls though. Whatever other food is served is free :-)

[TWR]

Reasonable prices, good conversation, Piano & sing along, interesting local books, (our area has a history of Witches) quiz nights, coal fire, Animal but not in the dining room, clean toilets that don't stink & checked at a regular time, no ICK Heads, if there's trouble no Questions ask, kick them out.

[Cloverjo]

You need decent staff, too. If you're not going to be on the premises to be 'mein host' every night, you must have good staff. Not stroppy teens who want to get home once they've run a wet dishcloth over the bar.

[Islay]

There is a wonderful pub here in Northern Ireland called the Salty Dog, sells food and drink and allows dogs Shock horror!!
Even better the dogs have their own menus which I think is brilliant!!

[ethandron]

Since we got our dog earlier this year, we've taken him to quite a few pubs which serve food, and have eaten there. The difference between where we have to sit, and where non doggy people sit has been about two yards, we're all in the same room, just sat at the two or three tables where dogs are allowed, back to back on some occasions with non dog tables.

[ummmm]

Staff are essential. So often nowadays they can't remember an order of just two drinks. They also don't know the prices as the till does all the work.

I don't understand the obsession with an open fire.

[Old_Geezer]

Off the top of my head...

A variety of real ales drawn from the wood and a decent cellarman who knows what they're doing. Traditional yet clean environment, with friendly knowledgeable bar staff. Adequate car parking.

Other things depend on what you're going for. Some times I want unobtrusive or even no background music, at others I want a good live rock band belting it out, or a good jazz ensemble swinging it.

[albaqwerty]

It might just be me, but has anyone else noticed that there are usually empty seats around the open fire and the rest of the room is packed with customers?

[ummmm]

Because it get too hot :-)

[murraymints]

a good bar meal menu, traditional, nowt fancy... warm... no kids.... weekly quiz... old fashioned piano sing song nights....

[Islay]

absolutely no piano sing along nights! Eek could not think of anything worse

[ummmm]

Most of you are not talking about drinking pubs that attract regulars.

[Berniecuddles2]

Only one no effing kids screaming and running around whilst I'm paying an astronomical amount for a decent meal and trying to enjoy it!

[ummmm]

My uncle runs a successful pub. Pool and dart teams, poker nights, TV screens, juke box, only sells rolls/crisps/nuts, dog friendly and child friendly...and a nice smoking area.

Oh...and good bar staff.

[Islay]

If I was opening a pub for 'regulars' it would allow well behaved dogs, serve chips and baps, have roast potatoes on the bar on a sunday, a good mixture of chairs and tables and sofa's and arm chairs.
Whilst a fire is nice its not always good in practice - its needs constant cleaning and backing up - it also gets too hot.
Background music should be that low enough that people can talk without raising voices but loud enough to hear it.

[ummmm]

Old school type pubs as in the OP didn't serve meals.