Your local pub

[Carvalho Diablo]

What makes your local, your local ?

I do know that it aint the locality of a pub...IMO, your "local" could be miles away...but I do mean your favourite pub. The one you keep going back to time and again.

So, why ?

What makes a local, your local, so great ?

Feel free to name names...

[dublinlfc]

my local burnt to the ground last week
so we're moving about at the moment

[ger_ryan22]

my local burnt to the ground last week
so we're moving about at the moment

Which was that Dub?

[Lorenzo]

my local burnt to the ground last week
so we're moving about at the moment

And you slag finglas??

As cd points out, most locals are miles away. Mine would be Buskers in town. Used to work there years ago, but it is one of the safest places to drink in town. Also get treated like royalty when in there and the management still treat me to the occasional shandy:)

[Stevie Heighway]

The Farmers Arms in Moreton, Wirral. Not my nearest, but meet there with the mates from work and wives, get tanked up then have a curry in the Surma, the Willows would be my nearest as i live in Saughall Massie, but only been in there a couple of times. Dont go to the pub too often maybe once , twice a month and usually as a prelude to the curry house.

[simon pieman]

My local is about 5 miles away :(. I like it because my missus drops me off on a friday night at about 5.30 and for 2 1/2 hours i talk absolute bollocks with blokes how are about the same age. There is no music its got no beer garden and kids arent allowed in after 6. Its got old beams and a fire in the middle which is nice in the winter.
But its the clientel that makes it and the conversation which can range from poltics to gardening :(

[ger_ryan22]

And you slag finglas??

As cd points out, most locals are miles away. Mine would be Buskers in town. Used to work there years ago, but it is one of the safest places to drink in town. Also get treated like royalty when in there and the management still treat me to the occasional shandy:)

Does Buskers still have the 'Rock Bar' downstairs??

I like Pravda, Dakota, Krystle, Hairy Lemon, Brogans, The Foggy Dew and The Palace on Camden Street. Well the Palace had just opened up when I was in College, it used to be that Snooker club, the one shown in the Commitments, used to be a cracking spot anyway but that was back in 1999 and 2000.

Sorry, getting further away from Carvalho's initial point. I don't have a local now but at home I went to mine because all the people I knew and a lot I grew up and played football with drank there (and still do :o)

[Lorenzo]

There's no rock club under buskers, there's a club called boomerang. Used to drink in the palace too when it re-opened. Classic place. My first job in Dublin was in a bar close by on harcourt street. Its actually upstairs from krystal. Dicey reilly's. Crackin beer garden. We put a band on the roof one night to play during a bbq. Great night:)

If you like cocktails, you have to check out the mint bar which is under the westin hotel on westmoreland street. Me and mrs lorenzo start and end every night out with a cocktail there. I guarantee you won't get a better cocktail in the city.

[dublinlfc]

Which was that Dub?

The Graduate
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2009/0615/breaking31.htm

fire brigade couldn't find the hydrant for 2 hrs, sure by then it was gutted


us posh southsiders even made a vid

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3s_2ybe6hE

[tonk]

The Imperial Hotel, aka the Middle East. When I asked me uncle why it was sometimes called the Middle East he said it was because of all the fights that happened there! My grandfather would have been in his fair share too. The place where I first started drinking (95 cents a middy) in 1984. Good beer garden etc, but because it was closest to home and they sponsored the cricket club I played in. Lot of water has flowed under the bridge there over the years. Cracked on to my first serious girlfriend there too, so I owe it a lot. I think I've got a door from the old kitchen in my back shed which my dad salvaged when it was getting renovated. The dunny's are still stinky & horrible.

[Matt R]

My local isn't my local anymore, although it proabably will be again soon. Haven't been in for a year, but I know if I do there'll still be a couple of people who'll say 'alright Matt'.

Perfect pub. Small, good beer, everyone involved with each others conversations cos you can't help it for the size of the place, used to have ludicrous lock ins.

You can't have a good pub that is big. Discuss.

[Lorenzo]

My local isn't my local anymore, although it proabably will be again soon. Haven't been in for a year, but I know if I do there'll still be a couple of people who'll say 'alright Matt'.

Perfect pub. Small, good beer, everyone involved with each others conversations cos you can't help it for the size of the place, used to have ludicrous lock ins.

You can't have a good pub that is big. Discuss.

Agreed matt. A small pub with a crowd of mates takes some beating. Went to a wedding with a group of 20 mates and we had 2 cracking nights in a tiny quay side pub that didn't close til 5am ish:)

I'm very anti crowds me!

[SteelWool]

My ex local near my mums house had it all. low ceilings, beams, a boss beer garden and I could happily walk in on any night of the week and there would be someone I could sit and drink with.

I moved away, new management came in and somehow on New Year's Eve got barred cos my mate's mrs' mum got in a fight with the landlord's mrs. Have since moved to america and don't really have one over here, but it still riles me that when I go home I can't walk in the bull to see what's what like I always have done.

Anybody else have a good local gone bad?

[red_bren_08]

Lorenzo I can't beleive you used to work in Buskers, spent many a wage packet in there.... Me and the lads still go when there is a big gang of us bound to meet loads of people you know from years ago... I abused Robbie the doorman,I think he was head honcho, one night for being in Buskers and for whatever reason I had to go outside to get downstairs to Boomerangs and he wouldn't let me in, he let me in in the end and every time I go in or see him he is real nice to me, seems like a sound fella.

Local is The Concorde worked there for years that was a big pub with a good atmosphere, walking distance from the house and a decent pint also another place where you are bound to meet someone you know and have a drink with.

[Lorenzo]

Yeah, worked there for 8 years so chances are i'd know your ugly mug if i seen it:)

Uncle bob still runs the door and i'd have to get on the wrong side of him;)

[Ducatiboy749]

Used to have a brilliant local in the town I live in but as with most decent pubs, it's now an Italian bistro.

As i've got older I prefer the more peaceful alehouse. One I go to most is about 3 miles outside town but you can't hear a single car, they have Geese mooching about outside and there's never more than about 10 people in there.

It's a top place just to get away for an hour or three but it shuts in the afternoon still.

One in town by where i work, is on a busy crossroad, it's ridiculously over-priced and you almost have to stand in the London traffic to have a fag. When you need a quick beer it's right there though.

Decent pubs have been dying on their arses for years.:*(

[simon pieman]

Used to have a brilliant local in the town I live in but as with most decent pubs, it's now an Italian bistro.

As i've got older I prefer the more peaceful alehouse. One I go to most is about 3 miles outside town but you can't hear a single car, they have Geese mooching about outside and there's never more than about 10 people in there.

It's a top place just to get away for an hour or three but it shuts in the afternoon still.

One in town by where i work, is on a busy crossroad, it's ridiculously over-priced and you almost have to stand in the London traffic to have a fag. When you need a quick beer it's right there though.

Decent pubs have been dying on their arses for years.:*(

Me to , cant stand pubs with jukeboxes blasting away all that shit, and i hate kids running around in pubs nowadays or crying. :(;)

[Mozzaretti]

My local is freehouse and always has at least 3 real ales on at any time and stowford press, brilliant for hot and cold days.

Does decent grub too and has a steady bunch of regulars and a spot on landlord. It also has a quiz on a Thursday which I have won on a few occassions ;)

[Matt R]

My locals now are for dinnertime rather than at night. It's weird going in at night and there's a completely different clientele and bar staff, so no-one knows who the fuck you are, but eight hours previously you knew everyone.

My two night time locals are a both bars and restaurants, and not a real ale in sight. Nice places to go, but a pain for drinking purposes.

[lapland]

Mine is a good 10 minute stagger away.

Like it because there is a great pint - and reasonably priced (for this shitty town), there are never any scumbags or hassle about and always a nice qiuet corner to rest me arse where you can have a view of the TV which is always reserved for footy.

Ticks all the boxes for me.

[fwd_fish]

My local for the past few years has been the Highbury Sports and Social Club at the top of the street. The ale is dirt cheap and it is great for the footy (apart from all the Mancs). All my previous faves have been flattened. I am still into pubs with a quality Jukebox and a bit of atmosphere, but they are virtually non-existent round our way.

[Devski]

I'm stalking Matt & DB;)


Perfect pub. Small, good beer, everyone involved with each others conversations cos you can't help it for the size of the place, used to have ludicrous lock ins.


I know where you mean here, used to live opposite as a scrounging student. Tiny pub, you get a little bit of eyeball when you first go in but otherwise the locals were very friendly. Basically had to squeeze in a corner, 3 or 4 of us many a time, but never a problem. Could drink outside in the summer too.



One in town by where i work, is on a busy crossroad, it's ridiculously over-priced and you almost have to stand in the London traffic to have a fag. When you need a quick beer it's right there though.



I know you work near-ish to me so I'm trying to guess which pub that is...somewhere in Smithfield? Or round by Hatton Gdns/Leather Lane?

Round there I quite like The Mitre, The Bleeding Heart, The King Of Diamonds is ok, The Last etc. Have you been watching Wimbledon in New St Square ?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

At home I have a nearby pub, it's ok & getting better but it doesn't pluck at the heartstrings. I go drinking a fair bit where I live but pubs change over time so it doesn't do to get too attached. My dad's old local is unrecognisable from the pub it used to be bar the name. Shame but I guess you can't expect things to stay the same :*(

[AllezLesRouges]

My local has been shut for a month and when it re-opens it'll be a sports bar. It did need a lick of paint to be fair but a sports bar? Daft.

[Matt R]

I'm stalking Matt & DB;)


I know where you mean here, used to live opposite as a scrounging student. Tiny pub, you get a little bit of eyeball when you first go in but otherwise the locals were very friendly. Basically had to squeeze in a corner, 3 or 4 of us many a time, but never a problem. Could drink outside in the summer too.

Really?! Big 4 story house oppostite by chance? Spent an interesting evening in that house once if you follow my drift ;)

I have a limited edition print of said pub on my wall which I received as a 30th birthday pressie. Remember trying to leave one night and the landlord wouldn't let us. 'It's a lock-in so you're locked in. Go and buy another pint'

Well, be rude to argue.

[user name]

used to go in a top little pub in manc city centre called the millstone, just behind afflecks palace... had a snug where u could have a smoke... 2 of me mates had to sumo wrestle a massive old bloke in there... he got them both under his sweaty armpits (he'd taken off his clothes) and danced around a bit... top laugh...

there was a lovely pub near me called 'the old house at home' run by a sweet old couple... nice mix of proper locals and students... they sadly moved away and now it's just another irishy pub...

also a great big pub at the end of our road... can someone who actually consumes fizzy-beer explain to me the concept of 'laser lager'... proper nonsense larger that sounds shite, looks shite and prolly tastes bobbins...

n.b. open-plan pubs are a nonsense... an aberration... a total waste of time... bring back the snug, vault/saloon...

[Devski]

Really?! Big 4 story house oppostite by chance? Spent an interesting evening in that house once if you follow my drift ;)

I have a limited edition print of said pub on my wall which I received as a 30th birthday pressie. Remember trying to leave one night and the landlord wouldn't let us. 'It's a lock-in so you're locked in. Go and buy another pint'

Well, be rude to argue.

Indeed, opposite & to the right a bit. Our landlord probably lived dead opposite.

Me & two mates had a flat in the basement. Upstairs was a large house containing I think 9 student girlies. This was 91/92 I think.

Now you're probably expecting me to say we had a proper time of it that year with the girls upstairs, but no. We fell out with them quite early on when some joint friends came over to visit, we'd been on a bender all weekend & had created too much noise etc they got annoyed & barely spoke to us after that!

Oh dear!

Maybe that was where you spent that interesting evening?

[Ducatiboy749]

I'm stalking Matt & DB;)



I know where you mean here, used to live opposite as a scrounging student. Tiny pub, you get a little bit of eyeball when you first go in but otherwise the locals were very friendly. Basically had to squeeze in a corner, 3 or 4 of us many a time, but never a problem. Could drink outside in the summer too.



I know you work near-ish to me so I'm trying to guess which pub that is...somewhere in Smithfield? Or round by Hatton Gdns/Leather Lane?

Round there I quite like The Mitre, The Bleeding Heart, The King Of Diamonds is ok, The Last etc. Have you been watching Wimbledon in New St Square ?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

At home I have a nearby pub, it's ok & getting better but it doesn't pluck at the heartstrings. I go drinking a fair bit where I live but pubs change over time so it doesn't do to get too attached. My dad's old local is unrecognisable from the pub it used to be bar the name. Shame but I guess you can't expect things to stay the same :*(

The Mitre's alright for a lunchtime pint and a sausage roll. I'm on Gray's Inn Road so it's mainly the Yorkshire Grey or The Old Nick after work for me mate. Frequented quite a lot more lately as it delays getting on those tubes home.:D

[Femmefootyfan]

I haven't been in my local for 15 years. Prob due the fact I moved city and stopped drinking. My local used to be The Crows Nest in Hull. It was just a typical meet your mates and have a laugh pub. It had a betting office and in the olden days (the 70's) it had an off license attached to it.

[Devski]

The Mitre's alright for a lunchtime pint and a sausage roll. I'm on Gray's Inn Road so it's mainly the Yorkshire Grey or The Old Nick after work for me mate. Frequented quite a lot more lately as it delays getting on those tubes home.:D

Ah ok, you're the other way from Hatton Gdn. I'm not far from there, right by Chancery Lane tube.

Now then, what are you wearing? ;)

[Mel Wood]

Nearest, 100 yards away, only used to go in for footy on Kazakhstan TV feed, shut down when Rhys Jones was shot outside it. Soon to be demolished or reopened as something else.

'Locals', the three pubs in West Derby Village, used to love them, but haven't been there for months.
Series of shootings outside each of the pubs one night a month ago then an arson attack on The Barries there a couple of weeks ago.

I suppose that means I effectively no longer have a local, but then I don't drink any more either.

Not my thread really.

[Matt R]

Indeed, opposite & to the right a bit. Our landlord probably lived dead opposite.

Me & two mates had a flat in the basement. Upstairs was a large house containing I think 9 student girlies. This was 91/92 I think.

Now you're probably expecting me to say we had a proper time of it that year with the girls upstairs, but no. We fell out with them quite early on when some joint friends came over to visit, we'd been on a bender all weekend & had created too much noise etc they got annoyed & barely spoke to us after that!

Oh dear!

Maybe that was where you spent that interesting evening?


Probably your landlords then. You could see into the pub from the house. I was there a good 7 or 8 years after you though.

I reckon a pre-match bevvy is required in there one game next season.

[Devski]

Probably your landlords then. You could see into the pub from the house. I was there a good 7 or 8 years after you though.

I reckon a pre-match bevvy is required in there one game next season.

Agreed. I haven't been there for donkeys!

[Matt R]

I think I may well have to head there over the next couple of days now. A Sunday evening session would go down just peachy. I shall report back!

[dublinlfc]

The Graduate
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2009/0615/breaking31.htm

fire brigade couldn't find the hydrant for 2 hrs, sure by then it was gutted


us posh southsiders even made a vid

E3s_2ybe6hE

been re-built and re opens tomorrow night

althought I probably won't see it until thursday:D
open Good Friday too for food and "soft drinks";)

[Mozzaretti]

I think I may well have to head there over the next couple of days now. A Sunday evening session would go down just peachy. I shall report back!

In the traditional honour of reporting back.

That place is great. Not that I can remember too much about the last two (and only times) Matt has taken me there.

The butties and sausage rolls are marvellous and the beer is unsurpassed.

[ger_ryan22]

been re-built and re opens tomorrow night

althought I probably won't see it until thursday:D
open Good Friday too for food and "soft drinks";)

Where is that pub Dub?

[Mozzaretti]

Where is that pub Dub?

Wherever it is, by the looks of it it was a blessing it burned. Hideous looking place.

Looked like a primary school or 1990's library.

[dublinlfc]

Where is that pub Dub?killiney

[dublinlfc]

Wherever it is, by the looks of it it was a blessing it burned. Hideous looking place.
Looked like a primary school or 1990's library.thats why its called the graduate, disco bar upstairs was called "the school" :rolleyes:

[big dutch]

ive had many a "local" in my time

my first real one was a good mile walk, but i loved the pub, walked past probaly 11 others to get there.......was a regular there for 2 years before they gave me a surprise 18th party !!!!!!

then my real favorite, just at the bottom of the road and a short walk over the park, no more than a 10 minute walk, had a great landlord, all me mates went there, i djed on a friday and a saturday, played darts on a monday, pool on a wednesday......and even when the first landlord left, an even better couple took there place
some of my best drinking days were down there
all hail the cock !!!

now i can say i have a real local, just round the corner, but its not the same, not a great fan of the landlord and dont know that many people to call friends in there

your local does not have to be next door to be your local in my opinion

[Mozzaretti]

thats why its called the graduate, disco bar upstairs was called "the school" :rolleyes:

Sounds lovely. No it really does.

[AntonioLFC08]

My local pub is shit.

[ger_ryan22]

We have a baby. I have no pub :(

[paulotrac]

http://www.scouse-honeys.co.uk/profiles/images/lauramcgee.jpg

She does!

[johnsouthwales]

pubs are pretty shyte here. friday nights a loss. social club quiet, pub quiet. other pub sometimes has a band there but shyte. pub where karaoke is quiet on a friday.
saturday routine was go to social club, couple of cheaper lagers £1.80 pint of carlsberg. go to pub where the karaoke is £2.80// load of shyte but put up with it. could go to the other pub where there is more shyte

[North Wales Red]

My local is a shithole but it's my shithole.

[Soft Ollies]

dont stay long enough to call anywhere my local, but been to christys in prosperous more times than i care for.

[johnsouthwales]

there was a better sense of the word local back in the 80s and 90s. Nowadays it's a case of go with a flow. Put up or shut up. Karaoke on saturday nights, same songs by the same people..lack of seating. Depressing . Think i stay in.

[Smithy]

there was a better sense of the word local back in the 80s and 90s. Nowadays it's a case of go with a flow. Put up or shut up. Karaoke on saturday nights, same songs by the same people..lack of seating. Depressing . Think i stay in.

Pretty damning analysis of the pub industry there John!!

Can't comment on the 80's, I would have been seriously under age, and whilst pubs are constantly changing, there are a few which remain traditional and good for either a quiet pint or a good night out, depending on what floats your boat.

Think the major issue is the cost of ale at Bargain Booze and the like ... it's totally undermined the pub industry to the point where it's impossible for them to compete.

Its a shame as it's part of British Culture and should be embraced rather than criticised.

[REDMATT]

Our local shut last month.

Bag of cans and a wall it is then.

[johnsouthwales]

We dont get these cheap drink deals here. Well,they did do pay a tenner to get in and free drinks on selected lines a few years ago. Trouble with that is by the time you get to the club, you dont particulary want to drink much more after being to pubs.. Pub culture is ridiculous now. Too competative i agree. Id like to benefit from these drink deals. Suits me for two reasons. Its economical and i control my drink. Havent seen happy hour for years. That was odd cos the happy hour was 7pm, and who the heck is out at that time?

[johnsouthwales]

Different towns have got different pubs. Id like to see bands but here its always the same crock,heavy metal. They had singer in karaoke pub in the past, wasnt bad. They dont do it anymore. Too expensive.. If they didnt have karaoke,it be more crock than it already is. Cash is a factor these days.. Pub rents mean high prices. Breweries produce beer in cans and sell them to supermarkets cheap. Why cant they sell to pubs cheap? Im sure its quicker for them to fill a 100 pint barrel than a 100 cans.. apparently costs a pub 200quid per barrel. 24 can pack in supermarket 15quid.. Well odd.

[North Wales Red]

I refuse to pay three quid a pint in my home town on general fucking principle.

[johnsouthwales]

I said two years ago, soon as a pint hits 3 quid, im jacking it in. On principle.. Trouble with that is, i'd end up drinking one less to compensate for the hike.. Its the people who go to the pubs that make the pub. Bit of decent music, nice atmosphere, enjoy.

[Eising agreed]

My best local was reposessed recently. Good ales, huge portions of decent food, grumpy landlord. It had everything. Every other pub has made it, all the pine and stainless steel bedecked soulless places full of posers. There really is no justice.

[user name]

u lot are a bit victor-meldrewed-up tonight, no?

;-)

[dublinlfc]

It is very victor meldew alright


5p on the pint :eek: well fuck this society!! Everyone is all for themselvesand I'm not drinking anymore!!

You want to come to Dublin were a good pint is a fiver

[Eising agreed]

u lot are a bit victor-meldrewed-up tonight, no?

;-)

Sorry Geo.

My local was reposessed recently. it's the best thing that's ever happened. Who needs cheap nutritious food and real ale when there are several establishments serving Worthington's, Foster's and Carlsberg. Plus I like the decor in the modern places and it's full of bright young things who say 'yeah?' after every inane sentence. Life's never been so good.

[tonk]

Same thing's happened in Australia. Every pub wants to tart itself up to cater for, I don't really know.
I liked cigarette smoke, sticky carpets, outdated jukeboxes, old farts betting on the greyhounds, corned beef with 'white' sauce.

[user name]

ah, that's the ticket pete...

seriously, I take yer point... just that I never really got into pub culture...

I do like the idea of a snug and last year went to a pub in town that had a great a.t. session till 3am... go the ashtrays out and everything...

so I know what yer sayin'...

still a bunch of grumpy fuckers though...

[AllezLesRouges]

I was in my local at 10am today having a full english and a pint of Stella. I was the only punter in there. Ace.
Except when I asked the girl behind the bar to put the racing channel on and she wouldn't. Got a bit tense then, got to say.

[johnsouthwales]

Pubs today are much nicer in a lot of areas, depends on somebodys taste. There is nothing worse than a pub that has had a cheap mdf makeover, tacky furniture, black paint over varnished tables. Fake palm trees. Souless. Theres one other pub i like here, havent been for a year cos nobody else goes. Nice leather sofas by enterance.comfy. Shuts at 11. Bit of music from bar stereo, background tunes, not loud. Lol, must be criminally insane to pay a fiver a pint. Stuff that

[johnsouthwales]

Thats the trouble with arsey pubs when they wont change the channel

[johnsouthwales]

My local is about 5 miles away :(. I like it because my missus drops me off on a friday night at about 5.30 and for 2 1/2 hours i talk absolute bollocks with blokes how are about the same age. There is no music its got no beer garden and kids arent allowed in after 6. Its got old beams and a fire in the middle which is nice in the winter.
But its the clientel that makes it and the conversation which can range from poltics to gardening :( i'd be well gutted if i had to travel 5 miles to a local. What time's stop? Taxi back probably a tenner. Sounds ok. Like a pub with a cosy fire. Shame about no beer garden for summer. I like a pub where a rational discussion goes on.. Pubs have a habit of small talk. Cant have a convo here. Either cos they dont know what the hell the convo is about or music's too loud

[johnsouthwales]

Then again, i travel 8 miles for a drink occasionally. Get last bus back. Quiet. Nice. One pub small, been done out last year. No music. Havent been since. Wonder what hes done to the place? I heard he wants the old clientele out. Bit further up next pub which is ok. Cant remember if they got music.dont think so.Quite roomy, got front bar, side room and other room. Pub opposite is ok,bistro kind of pub.

[DMcGin75]

I don't smoke but I used to love going in the vaults at my local before smoking ban when it was packed out with regulars after work. You'd have the usual 'how's work' chat. Then a few beers later good banter. Now we have smoking ban. It's a carvery pub with about. 3-4 regulars in now. What a load crap that is.

[johnsouthwales]

i knew it all along.. back in the 90s, pubs were steadidly making them children friendly. play grounds and bouncy castles in the beer garden.
there was the occasional tut of shouldnt be taking kids to pubs - bad influence..

then pubs became places to go to eat..then the middle classes started moaning about the fags.. they banded together and started the smoking ban, which in turn closed the pubs.. the bastads.

i used to say when i was in the pub, do you mind not eating when i'm having my cig..the smell of food is putting me well off my pint

[johnsouthwales]

the happy eaters were always moaning when we were chatting and supping. drinkers were forced out of pubs.

they be banning drinking next

[iwan]

Our local shut down 4 weeks ago, finger`s crossed it open`s soon. On tour every weekend at mo but not the same. Had a cracking duke box . It was only 100 yds away and o match day`s had a mini kop allways a good few out. Also could turn up there any hour and get a welcome, and come midnight we would order food in and the ash trays would come out. Argh happy day`s .