Pubs are doomed

[Sysman]

I know what you mean OH, but the reason I go to the pub, is to drink with my neighbours and, other people, and possibly even strangers - it's a social thing.

I have a fridge full of beer and a rack full of wine, but I cannot enjoy it much, without company.

I have far more fun having 3 pints of some old ale down the local than sitting at home sipping a fine vintage Burgundy.

I love beer and wine, but for me, it's the company that makes it - not the quality of the drink.

Exactly. I moved into a new area in the 1980s and by going to the local pubs I quickly met the neighbours and became part of the community.

The smoking ban came into force where I now live earlier this year (it's not just a UK thing) and I've seen the difference in several venues. The one which catered for the young end virtually emptied on the first day. However, it is possible in my neck of the woods to create a smoking room with extractor fans etc as long as it's under a certain size, and several local bars are small enough to qualify.

The chap with the youngsters pub has ripped it apart, created a smoking room which is full to the brim in evenings, and turned the rest of his pub into a pizza restaurant. It was that or lose his whole trade. My once favourite bar is now like a ghost own and I haven't been there for months. Pity, as I got to make some good friends in there.

Talking to the owner of one small bar, he reckons he would simply shut up shop if they extended the smoking ban to places his size. That would be a shame too as it has the best selection of newspapers and magazines in town, undeniably the best juke box, and it's a bit of a bohemian place - you get to meet some interesting folks in there.

[gingerjedi]

The pub of the future is a Weatherspoons (or something similar) whether we like it or not.

The Weatherspoons in Bristol have a great ale selection (11 at last count) at the cheapest prices too, they also have regular ale festivals with several guest beers, the toilets are clean and the staff are friendly. They do lack a bit of soul but when you're with a few mates you soon forget where you are so on the whole not too bad IMO.

Samuel Smith's is another option but I've never gotten used to their weird beers. The Colston Yard and Zero Degrees are the only others I bother with other than my local.

[BlasterBates]

Exactly. I moved into a new area in the 1980s and by going to the local pubs I quickly met the neighbours and became part of the community.

The smoking ban came into force where I now live earlier this year (it's not just a UK thing) and I've seen the difference in several venues. The one which catered for the young end virtually emptied on the first day. However, it is possible in my neck of the woods to create a smoking room with extractor fans etc as long as it's under a certain size, and tiny bars also got exemption from the ban for being under a certain size.

The chap with the youngsters pub has ripped it apart, created a smoking room which is full to the brim in evenings, and turned the rest of his pub into a pizza restaurant. It was that or lose his whole trade. My once favourite bar is now like a ghost own and I haven't been there for months. Pity, as I got to make some good friends in there.

Talking to the owner of one small bar, he reckons he would simply shut up shop if they extended the smoking ban to places his size. That would be a shame too as it has the best selection of newspapers and magazines in town, undeniably the best juke box, and it's a bit of a bohemian place - you get to meet some interesting folks in there.

Is this Switzerland or Germany?

[BoredBloke]

The smoking ban is not the only thing which is killing pubs. Kids today get tanked up before they go out and go out much later than I used to. They tend to get cheap booze from Tescos and drink it at their mates house and then head into town at 11 and stay out till seriously late. This means, often they are hammered before they even get to the pub meaning the pubs don't sell much booze but still have to provide the venue, the staff and security. Becuase they are taking less then they have to push as much booze as they can, selling more drink to people who have obviously had enough. What I would do is

1 - reduce the tax take for pubs so that they can compete better with the supermarkets.
2 - enforce the laws properly so that pubs get into serious trouble selling booze to people who are obviously already too drunk
3 - put the age to buy booze in a supermarket/off licence up to 21 and keep it at 18 for pubs. That way it's harder for under age kids to get booze from the supermarket - it's easy for a 16 year old to pass for 18, but not for 21. Obviously this would lead to more pubs where kids know that they can get served underage, but this was always the case anyway.

[Mich the Tester]

Yes. I like pubs too.

It's tragic that they are dying. I think the smoking ban was the major nail in the coffin (speaking as a non-smoker).

The small tied houses are stuffed as the big landlords are screwing them into the ground. The pub of the future is a Weatherspoons (or something similar) whether we like it or not.

The smoking ban's done a lot of damage over here in NL too; the problem is that in the absence of smoke, the pubs stink of old spilt booze and sweaty bodies. The smoke used to mask that smell.

[Sysman]

Is this Switzerland or Germany?

Switzerland. Specifically Canton Aargau. I recently heard of a bar which has got around the rules by recruiting only smokers as staff. I might test it out to see what the crack is. In terms of viability as a Plan B, it's something which needs doing now, because a change in law could knacker it.

[Platypus]

the problem is that in the absence of smoke, the pubs stink of old spilt booze and sweaty bodies. The smoke used to mask that smell.

and farts

[Sysman]

The smoking ban's done a lot of damage over here in NL too; the problem is that in the absence of smoke, the pubs stink of old spilt booze and sweaty bodies. The smoke used to mask that smell.

It's not the first time I've heard that comment, though it was originally aimed at rock concerts. Discos must surely suffer as well in this respect.

[gingerjedi]

The smoking ban is not the only thing which is killing pubs. Kids today get tanked up before they go out and go out much later than I used to. They tend to get cheap booze from Tescos and drink it at their mates house and then head into town at 11 and stay out till seriously late. This means, often they are hammered before they even get to the pub meaning the pubs don't sell much booze but still have to provide the venue, the staff and security. Becuase they are taking less then they have to push as much booze as they can, selling more drink to people who have obviously had enough. What I would do is

To be fair we used to do that nearly 25 years ago, 4 cans of Colt 45 and whatever else was available before hitting the town as it was the only way we could afford to get drunk.

In real terms I don't think pubs are any more expensive but there is a lot less money sloshing around, if people want to drink then they will do so in an affordable way.

[xoggoth]

Variable. One a short walk from us closed a few years back. Think a big factor is ownership, next nearest was always empty when the owner was a miserable git who just closed when he felt like it, doing much better under new ownership. The most deserted pubs I've known have always had the least friendly owners and staff.