Demise of pubs and social clubs

Fed up talking videogames? Why?

How often do you visit your local pub/club?

Weekly
11
23%
Monthly
18
38%
Annually
5
11%
Never
13
28%
 
Total votes: 47
NickSCFC

PostDemise of pubs and social clubs
by NickSCFC » Mon Nov 12, 2018 11:31 am

Came across this article in the Guardian today and it got me thinking about this trend.

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfr ... ion-boozer

This stood out in particular...

This can mean more people staying in and socialising rather than going out for a pint. The attraction of traditional pub games like pool or darts is diminished by the knowledge that I could be playing Red Dead Redemption or Fifa instead. Even for those who do venture out, “experiences” such as Secret Cinema or Lates at museums offer a more interesting and engaging alternative to a basic pub trip.


Every pub I go too feels the same, I always scan them for this list of things every one seems to have.

- Dart board
- Pool table
- Classic fruit gambling machine
- Modern quiz machine right next to said fruit machine
- Durex machine in the toilets

I'd love to see them diversify, but they all seem aimed towards the dwindling baby boomer generation.

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Last edited by NickSCFC on Mon Nov 12, 2018 1:05 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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Drumstick
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PostRe: Demise of pubs and social clubs
by Drumstick » Mon Nov 12, 2018 11:39 am

NickSCFC wrote:I'd love to see them diversify, but they all seem aimed towards the dwindling 60+ generation.

Marketing establishments to the majority of its customers, what a radical idea.

I very rarely visit traditional pubs. There is an abundance of gammon about them that I don't particularly care for and most of them need a refurb.

On the other hand; some friends and I have a day out each month to selected craft ale houses.

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Garth
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PostRe: Demise of pubs and social clubs
by Garth » Mon Nov 12, 2018 11:43 am

Pubs have never appealed to me, I don't see that changing.

NickSCFC

PostRe: Demise of pubs and social clubs
by NickSCFC » Mon Nov 12, 2018 11:43 am

Growing up I remember our neighbourhood having about 10 pubs, there's now 3 remaining with the rest being converted into shops, flats/apartments or just being bulldozed for housing.

The "working-mens" clubs in the nearby council estates have also gone, either bulldozed for housing or left for arsonists and drug users.

The only one I really frequent is the Walkabout in town, the ability to both urinate and watch football at the same time is a huge draw for me. There's usually an eclectic mix of people too as opposed to the gammon/chavs that infest my local.

Gemini73

PostRe: Demise of pubs and social clubs
by Gemini73 » Mon Nov 12, 2018 11:46 am

I actually prefer a classic, old school pub as opposed to todays more resturant/club themed drinking establishments. For this reason I much prefer to head to Tewkesbury for a (soft) drink with my dad than out and about in Cheltenham. The Nottingham Arms in Tewkesbury is one such pub. Small, cosy atmosphere, proper old oak and tables and and chairs. Great stuff.

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OrangeRKN
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PostRe: Demise of pubs and social clubs
by OrangeRKN » Mon Nov 12, 2018 11:46 am

The most local pub to where I live I'm not a big fan of, but there is a canal pub half an hour walk away or a five minute drive which is a great food or summer afternoon drinks kind of place. The village I work in has a good pub I was last in on Thursday night, and there are some great pubs in the centre of Reading that I go to quite often.

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Preezy
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PostRe: Demise of pubs and social clubs
by Preezy » Mon Nov 12, 2018 11:48 am

I ticked annually, but it's probably once every 3 to 4 months I guess.

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The Watching Artist
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PostRe: Demise of pubs and social clubs
by The Watching Artist » Mon Nov 12, 2018 11:54 am

Garth wrote:Pubs have never appealed to me, I don't see that changing.

My local micropub might help-

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Dowbocop
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PostRe: Demise of pubs and social clubs
by Dowbocop » Mon Nov 12, 2018 11:55 am

I have never seen anyone buy a condom from a pub machine (save a joke one on a stag do). Somehow I think baby boomers aren't the target audience of those machines though!

Not enough pool tables anymore, certainly in my experience. They take up too much space I suppose. Dartboards always get sat under as well. You see a fair few consoles hooked up nowadays but I'm never sure that works amazingly well.

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Drumstick
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PostRe: Demise of pubs and social clubs
by Drumstick » Mon Nov 12, 2018 12:00 pm

The Watching Artist wrote:
Garth wrote:Pubs have never appealed to me, I don't see that changing.

My local micropub might help-

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Lagamorph
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PostRe: Demise of pubs and social clubs
by Lagamorph » Mon Nov 12, 2018 12:05 pm

I visit country pubs quite regularly but that's more for a nice meal than to go drinking.

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Blue Eyes
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PostRe: Demise of pubs and social clubs
by Blue Eyes » Mon Nov 12, 2018 12:06 pm

Man, I'm old hat. If pubs are dying it's nothing to do with me, that's for sure.

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Dowbocop
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PostRe: Demise of pubs and social clubs
by Dowbocop » Mon Nov 12, 2018 12:16 pm

OrangeRKN wrote:The most local pub to where I live I'm not a big fan of, but there is a canal pub half an hour walk away or a five minute drive which is a great food or summer afternoon drinks kind of place. The village I work in has a good pub I was last in on Thursday night, and there are some great pubs in the centre of Reading that I go to quite often.

My wife's family live near Reading so I've done a bit of boozing there in my time, mostly in Back of Beyond and the Hobgoblin. My wife worked in the Griffin in Caversham as well.

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Wrathy
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PostRe: Demise of pubs and social clubs
by Wrathy » Mon Nov 12, 2018 12:16 pm

Pubs aren't fantastic environments for tabletop games because the surfaces are usually horrendously sticky and the risk of spilling drinks over your cards / etc. So I don't tend to call in much myself, I'd rather go to a dedicated shop for that kind of thing.

I do enjoy a couple of jars with my pals, obviously, and in that regard Wetherspoon is regrettably leagues ahead of the rest. The app ordering thing is absolutely phenomenal.

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Tomous
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PostRe: Demise of pubs and social clubs
by Tomous » Mon Nov 12, 2018 12:17 pm

I love a pub but I think buying alcohol is generally too expensive now, especially when compared to buying booze from the supermarket and drinking at home.

Side note but I hate how industries dying is always framed as being killed off by millennials. Industries kill themselves by not adjusting to current trends and tastes.

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KK
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PostRe: Demise of pubs and social clubs
by KK » Mon Nov 12, 2018 12:20 pm

Pubs in central London and out in the countryside are amazing, especially in summer.

Never enjoyed working men’s clubs.

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rinks
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PostRe: Demise of pubs and social clubs
by rinks » Mon Nov 12, 2018 12:22 pm

They might as well cancel the smoking ban now.

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OrangeRKN
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PostRe: Demise of pubs and social clubs
by OrangeRKN » Mon Nov 12, 2018 12:28 pm

Dowbocop wrote:
OrangeRKN wrote:The most local pub to where I live I'm not a big fan of, but there is a canal pub half an hour walk away or a five minute drive which is a great food or summer afternoon drinks kind of place. The village I work in has a good pub I was last in on Thursday night, and there are some great pubs in the centre of Reading that I go to quite often.

My wife's family live near Reading so I've done a bit of boozing there in my time, mostly in Back of Beyond and the Hobgoblin. My wife worked in the Griffin in Caversham as well.


Hobgoblin is now called The Alehouse as it had to change its name, they sell mead so I'm a big fan. Can't say the same for the Back of Beyond as that's just a spoons like any other but a fair walk away from the centre. Not been to the Griffin, don't have much reason to go north of the Thames.

As well as The Alehouse I like The Sun Inn, The Nag's Head and The City Arms. All good and proper pubs!

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Tsunade
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PostRe: Demise of pubs and social clubs
by Tsunade » Mon Nov 12, 2018 12:34 pm

I haven't been to the pub in a very long time now, unless running in to use the loo counts.
The last pub I went to was the crooked house in himley about 18 months ago. It's such a strange place.

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Dowbocop
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PostRe: Demise of pubs and social clubs
by Dowbocop » Mon Nov 12, 2018 12:36 pm

OrangeRKN wrote:
Dowbocop wrote:
OrangeRKN wrote:The most local pub to where I live I'm not a big fan of, but there is a canal pub half an hour walk away or a five minute drive which is a great food or summer afternoon drinks kind of place. The village I work in has a good pub I was last in on Thursday night, and there are some great pubs in the centre of Reading that I go to quite often.

My wife's family live near Reading so I've done a bit of boozing there in my time, mostly in Back of Beyond and the Hobgoblin. My wife worked in the Griffin in Caversham as well.


Hobgoblin is now called The Alehouse as it had to change its name, they sell mead so I'm a big fan. Can't say the same for the Back of Beyond as that's just a spoons like any other but a fair walk away from the centre. Not been to the Griffin, don't have much reason to go north of the Thames.

As well as The Alehouse I like The Sun Inn, The Nag's Head and The City Arms. All good and proper pubs!

Probably Wychwood getting funny over the name. They renamed the Devonshire Arms in Camden to the Hobgoblin a few years ago so probably got snooty about it. It's back to the Dev now :lol:

Is the Sun Inn the black and red one nearish the station or is that the Star?


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