Interviews in a public place

[Gentile]

Thats right, some men have an unswerving tendency to offer unsolicited advice when it's not asked for or required, yet make a major fuss when people actually do ask a question as if seeking opinions were a crime. Ironically, if those particular men that behave that way would just switch their behaviours around, answering questions when (and only when) they're actually asked and keeping their opinions to themselves when they're not sought, they'd find their input far better received in both scenarios.

FTFY.

[Wanderer]

A pub really would be taking the pee, I think. Unless they were looking for a barmaid or wine taster.

I will interview for beer.

[SueEllen]

I'd never entertain meeting anyone for any business reason in a pub. It'd just immediately mark them out as rank amateurs to me.

If the choice was a pub/coffee shop near your house or a 4 hour round trip, you would prefer to do the 4 hour round trip?

[Rabotnik]

...to grill me on my private career history and salary expectations...

PERMIE DETECTED.

Launching NLUK in 3...2...1

[Gentile]

If the choice was a pub/coffee shop near your house or a 4 hour round trip, you would prefer to do the 4 hour round trip?

Did you miss this important qualifying statement in the OP? :

...

I stress that I'm not talking here about interviews where distance is an issue, and each party is having to travel to meet the other in some best compromise location that's equidistant from each. I'm talking about situations where their place of business is in the locale where the meeting is taking place, they just decide not to meet in their own offices.

...

[Gentile]

PERMIE DETECTED.

Launching NLUK in 3...2...1

As noted, it is for a permie position in this instance. The question is however equally valid for both types of interview.

[fullyautomatix]

I would never interview in a coffee shop or pub. Its either phone or the company office.

Hope that helps. Of course its my opinion and preference and I dont want you to take inspiration from it.

[BrilloPad]

I once was asked to do a technical test in a coffee shop. I was left alone for 45 minutes. A couple of questions at the end I could not remember the answer to - something about reinterpret cast or some other obscure stuff that is rarely used and easy to google.

I remembered reading up on this stuff on the train - book in my bag. So I popped into the gents - got the answers - check a few other questions.

Of course I passed - but like most jobs where they start doing silly things nothing came of it.

EDIT - just to point out this was for a permie role.
EDIT2 - roll = (captainham) role

[captainham]

EDIT - just to point out this was for a permie roll.

Not a bread roll?

[BrilloPad]

Not a bread roll?