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.

[bednobs]

dogs allowed in the bar

[woofgang]

well nothing actually.....sorry

[rockyracoon]

I like a nice fireplace and cosy snugs. I like pubs that let dogs in (even though I wouldn't take my dog to a pub). I like proper Irish coffees (the half wits round here in the local McMullens pubs haven't a clue, they just stick a whisky in a normal coffee). I like a mix of ages.

[Tilly2]

Traditional pub games like skittles, shove halfpenny and darts.

[pastafreak]

Fireplace, cosy seating, beams, dog friendly, low noise levels.

[New Judge]

Absolutely top of my list would be no children. If you do open your pub and are concerned you will lose custom, don't be. Make it a well advertised feature of your establishment. For every couple with three kids who might have come in for two halves of shandy and three lemonades (and demand high chairs and bottle warming or children's slurry warming facilities) you will gain at least one high spending couple who will make no such demands of you. Let me know where it is and I'll join you on your opening night.

Other must haves: no music, no TV (which means no football), a good selection of well kept real ales. comfortable seating and Salt Beef sandwiches.

[Zacs-Master]

If you know nothing of the hospitality business, then stay well clear. Especially for your Maunsell forts for the super rich.

[Mamyalynne]

Buy a Maunsell Fort, turn it into a pub and send NJ the address - sorted.

[mikey4444]

I rarely visit Pubs these days, but here is my shortlist.

Dogs welcome
Kids not
Real Ale, lots of !
No music whatsoever.
Real, good value pub food, not over-priced pretentious carp.
A nice fire in the winter and a nice smoke-free garden for the summer

[DTCwordfan]

neat decoration, think of the Hand-in-Flowers in Marlow, L'Enclume in Cartmel or, for a cheaper version the new Spotted Cow in Holbrooke,
https://edge.media.datahc.com/HI115878311.jpg

Good food, an excellent wine list and scotch - like this one perhaps, http://www.nobodyinn.co.uk/ or this one, http://www.thebushinn.co.uk/home both with a nice atmosphere.

[Buenchico]

I like pubs where you can still buy a snack, such as an uncomplicated cheese or ham sandwich, for a reasonable price. These days most pubs seem to insist that such a sandwich is accompanied by chips and salad, and then charge you £8.95 for it!

Some of the more successful 'old school' pubs though seem to take a different approach, whereby they don't bother serving food at all (thus saving on the cost of an employing a chef) but permit customers to bring their own food in from nearby takeaway establishments instead, possibly even providing plates, cutlery and condiments for customer's use as well.

While I like to see a dartboard in a 'traditional' pub, they don't seem to draw in many customers these days (unless there's an active pub darts team). However bar billiards tables (which make a pleasant change from pool tables) seem to be very popular in some pubs. Packs of cards and crib boards are a 'must' in traditional pubs but chess sets also help to draw some customers in.

Whether it's 'traditional' or not though, I'd be unlikely to regularly use a pub which didn't offer free wifi. ('Traditional' doesn't have to mean 'old-fashioned'!)

[Likeaboss]

Some great ideas here reminiscent of the pubs i used to see on tv in yorkshire, cobblestones outside, men with whippets reading the paper but one thing i remember well were that these pubs were usually quiet and empty which begs the question how did they make their money and if i opened a popular pub but everyone wants quiet how would that work?

The general feeling i'm getting is a pub that has the feel of a stately study so would books be a welcoming feature? Even if no one read them it would be welcoming visually?

Zacsmaster i have many ideas which i'm just mulling over and would not go into any business venture blind so will be employing a team to research and manage these ideas should they bear fruit.

[Zacs-Master]

What would this team consist of?

[mikey4444]

One small thing. We had a Pub lunch yesterday, and we both had a sandwich. But instead of coming on a proper plate, it came on a small, wooden chopping board !

What is wrong with plates these days ? And how is the ruddy chopping board cleaned and sterilised properly after wards ?

[Likeaboss]

I've never been in a position like this before but at a glance would need a financial advisor, a lawyer, a pa and as this is my first business venture i would consider a knowledgable partner.

[mikey4444]

Likeaboss....give this very strong consideration !

My parents were publicans for a few years in the early 70's, and its bloody hard work. If you live on the premises, than the Bar becomes your living room, and you can never have a day off.

[Zacs-Master]

Then your team aren't the people to advise you. You would also need:
A licensing solicitor, An Architect, An Interior Designer, An M&E consultant, Possibly a planning consultant, Surveyors to check Building condition / ground condition etc, a marketing consultant, a website builder.

[Likeaboss]

Good call mikey, there is nothing traditional about pretentious foods or methods of serving.

Recently i went to a themed pub and was my steak on a marble slab and had my chips in a small bucket which was great for that venue but would probably be seen as pretentious in a traditional styled pub.

I love the idea of roaring log fireplaces, such a welcoming ambience especially on cold winter evenings and nights.

[Likeaboss]

Some fantastic ideas, many thanks to all contributers.

Zacsmaster, thanks for the advice and all in due course.

[mikey4444]

Likeaboss....if I had been on my own yesterday, I might have asked the very attentive waitress to take it away and bring it back on a proper plate. But my partner would have spent the rest of the lunch glaring at me, which only she can do !