£3.30 a pint. Sod off.

[Suhari]

My local pub (King Charles, Kings Worthy) has been closed for month - new tenants revamping the place.

 

Always been a village 'community pub' - pop in and you are sure to see someone you know for a chat and a beer; good crowd who did the 'quick one after work'; historically lots of events - summer bbq, quiz nights, decent atmposhere for the football etc, decent 'standard' food. Good friendly place.

 

The last tenant buggered it up a bit, by failing to do anything to keep the community involved; and trying to turn it into a 'foody' place, put prices up a lot too. So loads of people stopped going. Shame really. He left a month or two back.

 

Was the grand reopening last night. Got an invite/advert through the door, with a 'it's your pub/ we are giving the pub back to the community' message. Going to start a footie team, etc etc. Felt very optimistic.

 

The place now looks like an advert for Ikea; they have tried to make it a mega-trendy food place - the menu is way too pricey, a pint of London Pride is £3.30, a glass of wine £4.50.

 

Having been a regular for 10 years, I am in no rush to go back.

 

Is the traditional English pub a thing of the past?

[Give it to Ron]

£3.30....and they wonder why pubs are empty!!!

 

Wetherspoons can be pretty crap but you cant argue with their price structure.

The ones in Salisbury, Ryde, Bournemouth are brilliant loads of real ales, decent grub and big enough to take the family and keep away from idiots.

[EastleighSoulBoy]

The traditional English pub has long gone in most parts of the land unless you get out into rural areas where it still figures as the focal point of the community.

 

A damn shame as it's not just a loss to the community but the jobs that go along with it.

[saintkiptanui]

Laminate flooring sh*t makeovers, I want crappy carpet old style pubs.

[saintkiptanui]

The traditional English pub has long gone in most parts of the land unless you get out into rural areas where it still figures as the focal point of the community.

 

A damn shame as it's not just a loss to the community but the jobs that go along with it.

 

I think Southampton has loads of proper old pubs.

[aintforever]

All the decent pubs in my area (Bursledon) have turned into gloryfied Beefeaters. I think it's a combination of the brewerys stitching them up on the beer prices, tax and the supermarkets' lost leaders which means the traditional pub can't make any money.

 

The smoking ban has ruined them as well, most people would rather run a small risk of lung cancer than sit next to some screaming snot nosed kid.

[for_heaven's_Saint]

£3.30 for a pint of Pride is ridiculous! You can get one for £2.50 on the strand in central London. There are a few traditional pubs left- usually the real ale ones- but so many are chain owned these days. Agree that Wetherspoons can be very good and is certainly good value for money, although they vary quite a bit in each one.

[doubleonothing]

Don't go up that London then. Price of a round is sky high.

[doubleonothing]

£3.30 for a pint of Pride is ridiculous! You can get one for £2.50 on the strand in central London. There are a few traditional pubs left- usually the real ale ones- but so many are chain owned these days. Agree that Wetherspoons can be very good and is certainly good value for money' date=' although they vary quite a bit in each one.[/quote']

 

Makes my post a bit redundant then. I must be going to the wrong places!

[saintkiptanui]

Makes my post a bit redundant then. I must be going to the wrong places!

Went up to London a few weeks back and found a pub where the beer was £2 a pint, funny Norwegian stuff.

[dune]

The smoking ban and the the attitude to/enforcement of drink driving laws has killed village pubs. The only way they can make money is through food.

[saintkiptanui]

The smoking ban and the the attitude to/enforcement of drink driving laws has killed village pubs. The only way they can make money is through food.

 

You are such a peni, drink driving ain't clever.

[St Landrew]

Thing with traditional pubs is that they almost certainly won't be located in the middle of the city, or on the main street. Neither are they hugely likely to be in some overrun touristy village anymore. I've found that trad pubs, offering good beers at reasonable [never properly cheap] prices are found in side streets and down the road less trodden. There are plenty of examples and here's three off the top of my head:

 

The Waterloo, in Southampton

The Royal Oak, in Fritham

The Newport, in Braishfield

 

Just avoid the themed pubs and they'll die. Incidentally, I notice the Old Thatched House has been closed up for some while. Whilst it wasn't a pub I frequented, I can't believe it is going to be allowed to crumble into the dust. Must be a listed building, at least.

[dune]

You are such a peni, drink driving ain't clever.

 

Years ago it wasn't such an issue as their weren't the number of cars on the roads and most people have been over the limit and driven at some stage. A generation back it wasn't an issue.

[dune]

The Newport, in Braishfield

 

Is it still in the same family and still spit and sawdust? Is the old girl still alive? Are there still clapped out cars/tractors in the "garden"?

 

They used to do a cracking ploughmans.

[The Kraken]

Thing with traditional pubs is that they almost certainly won't be located in the middle of the city, or on the main street. Neither are they hugely likely to be in some overrun touristy village anymore. I've found that trad pubs, offering good beers at reasonable [never properly cheap] prices are found in side streets and down the road less trodden. There are plenty of examples and here's three off the top of my head:

 

The Waterloo, in Southampton

The Royal Oak, in Fritham

The Newport, in Braishfield

 

Just avoid the themed pubs and they'll die. Incidentally, I notice the Old Thatched House has been closed up for some while. Whilst it wasn't a pub I frequented, I can't believe it is going to be allowed to crumble into the dust. Must be a listed building, at least.

 

There's still plenty of traditional pubs in the main areas of Southampton.

 

Red Lion (Below Bar)

Pensioners Arms (Bedford Place)

The Cricketers (Bedford Place)

The Grapes (Oxford Street)

Gordon Arms (Portswood High Street)

[The Kraken]

Is it still in the same family and still spit and sawdust? Is the old girl still alive? Are there still clapped out cars/tractors in the "garden"?

 

They used to do a cracking ploughmans.

 

I was just about to comment on the quality of the ploughmans they used to do; lovely.

[Crab Lungs]

It's sickening to see individual places be replaced by faceless, corporate monopolies. Even my local bakery has been replaced by a 'Greggs'. Disgusting, but it's the way the worlds going :-(

[Colinjb]

My local pub (King Charles, Kings Worthy) has been closed for month - new tenants revamping the place.

 

Always been a village 'community pub' - pop in and you are sure to see someone you know for a chat and a beer; good crowd who did the 'quick one after work'; historically lots of events - summer bbq, quiz nights, decent atmposhere for the football etc, decent 'standard' food. Good friendly place.

 

The last tenant buggered it up a bit, by failing to do anything to keep the community involved; and trying to turn it into a 'foody' place, put prices up a lot too. So loads of people stopped going. Shame really. He left a month or two back.

 

Was the grand reopening last night. Got an invite/advert through the door, with a 'it's your pub/ we are giving the pub back to the community' message. Going to start a footie team, etc etc. Felt very optimistic.

 

The place now looks like an advert for Ikea; they have tried to make it a mega-trendy food place - the menu is way too pricey, a pint of London Pride is £3.30, a glass of wine £4.50.

 

Having been a regular for 10 years, I am in no rush to go back.

 

Is the traditional English pub a thing of the past?

 

Sounds like they are trying to compete with the Cart and Horses, another pretentious overpriced 'gastro pub,' although the food is nice, if expensive. Dad lives just by the King's Worthy Volvo garage and he uses it as it's his local. Doesn't like the place much and finds it a rip off but uses it as it's convenient.

 

There is a working mens social club in King's Worthy he found the other week, couldn't recommend it enough. He goes there now out of preference.

[Suhari]

Sounds like they are trying to compete with the Cart and Horses, another pretentious overpriced 'gastro pub,' although the food is nice, if expensive. Dad lives just by the King's Worthy Volvo garage and he uses it as it's his local. Doesn't like the place much and finds it a rip off but uses it as it's convenient.

 

There is a working mens social club in King's Worthy he found the other week, couldn't recommend it enough. He goes there now out of preference.

 

The Cart & Horses is pretty good. Very much a gastro pub, but with a nice, though small 'drinking area'. Will never be a 'village pub' but is okay.

 

£3.00 a pint too - and excellent beer: really good. It has been my new local over the past month, but a 15/20 minute walk is just a bit too far.

 

Never been to the infamous Kings Worthy club...heard it is crap though. Cheap beer, but basically a 'vilage hall' with a bar in it. Might be forced to take a look now; it is where all the old-school locals from the 'Charlie' go.

 

I want my old local back!

[saintkiptanui]

There's still plenty of traditional pubs in the main areas of Southampton.

 

Red Lion (Below Bar)

Pensioners Arms (Bedford Place)

The Cricketers (Bedford Place)

The Grapes (Oxford Street)

Gordon Arms (Portswood High Street)

Agreed, loads of them.

[Colinjb]

The Cart & Horses is pretty good. Very much a gastro pub, but with a nice, though small 'drinking area'. Will never be a 'village pub' but is okay.

 

£3.00 a pint too - and excellent beer: really good. It has been my new local over the past month, but a 15/20 minute walk is just a bit too far.

 

Never been to the infamous Kings Worthy club...heard it is crap though. Cheap beer, but basically a 'vilage hall' with a bar in it. Might be forced to take a look now; it is where all the old-school locals from the 'Charlie' go.

 

I want my old local back!

 

Have to say, the Cart did grow on me, but compared to Coventry, where it's still £2 a pint in most places, even the good ones, it leaves one heck of a nasty aftertaste to me. Also knowing that all the old style wooden/brass decoration in there is absolutely fake just leaves me cold.

 

If you bump into a lad called Geoff when you're in there next of an evening, its probably my old man. Say hi for me.

Edited 29 May, 2010 by Colinjb

[The Kraken]

There's still plenty of traditional pubs in the main areas of Southampton.

 

Red Lion (Below Bar)

Pensioners Arms (Bedford Place)

The Cricketers (Bedford Place)

The Grapes (Oxford Street)

Gordon Arms (Portswood High Street)

 

Agreed, loads of them.

 

The Alex and Goblets as well. To be fair, So'ton does alright for traditional boozers. Long may it continue.

[St Landrew]

There's still plenty of traditional pubs in the main areas of Southampton.

 

Red Lion (Below Bar)

Pensioners Arms (Bedford Place)

The Cricketers (Bedford Place)

The Grapes (Oxford Street)

Gordon Arms (Portswood High Street)

 

Yep, the pubs I highlighted were just examples, and I accept that there are plenty of pubs in Southampton, where a good pint is to be had at a reasonable price. I think Southampton is actually pretty well off for trad pubs. But I still think the best ones are a bit off the beaten track. Just thought of The Dolphin in Osborne Road. In fact, that is almost a themed trad pub, it is so traditional.

[saintkiptanui]

The Alex and Goblets as well. To be fair, So'ton does alright for traditional boozers. Long may it continue.

 

It does, I live in Basingstoke and I can't think of any proper boozers in the town centre, like Bournemouth it has loads of wine bars with laminate flooring, rubbish. Weymouth is good for pubs.

[Wilko]

Anywhere that has uncomfortable seats, serves tapas and charges more than £3 for a pint is off the radar.

 

As far as Southampton pubs go, I reckon the Platform Tavern is a pretty good bet, though I haven't been there for a season or so.

[benjii]

Lots of good pubs in Bristol as well as lots of good new trendy places.

 

Most pints in the £3+ range though.

[saintkiptanui]

Anywhere that has uncomfortable seats, serves tapas and charges more than £3 for a pint is off the radar.

 

As far as Southampton pubs go, I reckon the Platform Tavern is a pretty good bet, though I haven't been there for a season or so.

smug beardy weardy. Next to the platform tavern is La regatta, lovely tapas.

[St Landrew]

It's sickening to see individual places be replaced by faceless, corporate monopolies. Even my local bakery has been replaced by a 'Greggs'. Disgusting, but it's the way the worlds going :-(

 

Thing is, it doesn't actually need to be that way. If people just don't go into them, they die. I still give a smile every time I think of the MacDonald's which opened in an Italian town and closed through lack of business 3 months later. The local populace simply weren't interested. I think that is utterly brilliant.

 

I have often commented on the sheep mentailty of people. They see an advert on the telly, and then they seem to float off to the nearest example of said product. It doesn't have to be like that. Be a maverick. Don't follow the herd.

 

BTW, I'm not commenting on your specific mentailty there, CL.

[Crab Lungs]

Thing is, it doesn't actually need to be that way. If people just don't go into them, they die. I still give a smile every time I think of the MacDonald's which opened in an Italian town and closed through lack of business 3 months later. The local populace simply weren't interested. I think that is utterly brilliant.

 

I have often commented on the sheep mentailty of people. They see an advert on the telly, and then they seem to float off to the nearest example of said product. It doesn't have to be like that. Be a maverick. Don't follow the herd.

 

BTW, I'm not commenting on your specific mentailty there, CL.

 

Ah, I know that.

 

Be a maverick for the right reason's though, not just for the sake of it. If you fancy a sausage and beans pasty in Gregg's, get one - but be shamelessly rude before, during and after the transaction

[SuperMikey]

It does, I live in Basingstoke and I can't think of any proper boozers in the town centre, like Bournemouth it has loads of wine bars with laminate flooring, rubbish. Weymouth is good for pubs.

 

The one behind the station was alright, think it's closed down now though. Called the Railway Inn or something.

My local closed down for a couple of months while new tenants did it up also, and granted it looks really nice in there now (it was a bit grotty before), but the prices are crazy. I paid £4.50 for a bottle of Kopparberg in there on Monday, the pub up the road does it for £3.30 and they're on offer in Tesco at 2 for £4 at the moment! Absolutely crazy.

 

It's the greedy breweries that are ruining the pubs as they dictate all the prices, driving them up too high and driving all the regulars away.

Edited 29 May, 2010 by SuperMikey

[St Landrew]

I was just about to comment on the quality of the ploughmans they used to do; lovely.

 

 

I haven't been out to The Newport Inn for quite a while, but the Ploughman's Lunch they have always done, and I remember, is legendary.

 

What could be simpler..? Good rustic bread, with a huge pat of butter; an enormous wodge of cheddar, and some proper pickled onions, gherkins and jar pickle. All washed down with a very, very good pint. It doesn't get much better. Of course, they also used to do huge cheese/ham sandwiches as well, which were memorable.

 

Thinking about it... I might not leave it too long before I get out there again.

[benjii]

I once paid 11 Euro for slightly less than a pint.

 

Don't go to Milan.

[St Landrew]

Ah, I know that.

 

Be a maverick for the right reason's though, not just for the sake of it. If you fancy a sausage and beans pasty in Gregg's, get one - but be shamelessly rude before, during and after the transaction

 

Of course, we can pick and choose. As long as it really is us doing the picking and choosing, rather than being overly guided by Big Brother media. If we want variation and individuality, it takes effort. Lazy sheep mentality is dead easy.

Edited 29 May, 2010 by St Landrew

[saintkiptanui]

I once paid 11 Euro for slightly less than a pint.

 

Don't go to Milan.

Or Oslo, ridiculous. £8 a pint 5 years ago.

[suewhistle]

Ah yes, The Platform. Had three pints there before the Millwall match last season: pretty good considering it was a 12.45 KO, but you have to bear in mind that visiting from abroad means I have to get a move on... I don't remember where I ended up that evening but it may well have been The Waterloo... I was not driving!

 

St Landrew: that's not a universal situation in Italy, I'm afraid, but I can recall going into a Macdonalds only once in my life when I was accompanying a load of french kids on a UK summer school. Here my local wood-fired pizzeria is my food of choice.

[suewhistle]

I once paid 11 Euro for slightly less than a pint.

 

Don't go to Milan.

 

Well, my bar for watching the World Cup does it for €3.50...

 

Milan is a different world....

[St Landrew]

Ah yes, The Platform. Had three pints there before the Millwall match last season: pretty good considering it was a 12.45 KO, but you have to bear in mind that visiting from abroad means I have to get a move on... I don't remember where I ended up that evening but it may well have been The Waterloo... I was not driving!

 

St Landrew: that's not a universal situation in Italy, I'm afraid, but I can recall going into a Macdonalds only once in my life when I was accompanying a load of french kids on a UK summer school. Here my local wood-fired pizzeria is my food of choice.

 

Oh I'm sure it isn't. But it's nice to see a resistance to a global product and favouring of the locally cultured food.

 

You actually based in northern Italy, Sue, as your location suggests..?

Edited 29 May, 2010 by St Landrew

[saintkiptanui]

Ah yes, The Platform. Had three pints there before the Millwall match last season: pretty good considering it was a 12.45 KO, but you have to bear in mind that visiting from abroad means I have to get a move on... I don't remember where I ended up that evening but it may well have been The Waterloo... I was not driving!

 

St Landrew: that's not a universal situation in Italy, I'm afraid, but I can recall going into a Macdonalds only once in my life when I was accompanying a load of french kids on a UK summer school. Here my local wood-fired pizzeria is my food of choice.

 

When visiting my sister in Rome the maccy d's was dojng a roaring trade.

[benjii]

When visiting my sister in Rome the maccy d's was dojng a roaring trade.

 

Rome contains some of the ****tiest, tattiest, rip-offiest, turdiest eating establishments in the world.

 

It is ace though.

[St Landrew]

When visiting my sister in Rome the maccy d's was dojng a roaring trade.

 

Tbf, SaintKip. Rome isn't the kind of Italy I'm talking about, and neither is Milan or any big italian city. It's the local towns and villages where local culture lives and resists the competition from global product. Long may it continue.

[saintkiptanui]

Tbf, SaintKip. Rome isn't the kind of Italy I'm talking about, and neither is Milan or any big italian city. It's the local towns and villages where local culture lives and resists the competition from global product. Long may it continue.

 

Yeah fair enough.

[Andy_Porter]

I once paid 11 Euro for slightly less than a pint.

 

Don't go to Milan.

 

Paid 19 euros for a double vodka and a can of coke last year in Dublin, the three days I was there came close to costing me £650

[saintkiptanui]

Paid 19 euros for a double vodka and a can of coke last year in Dublin, the three days I was there came close to costing me £650

errr, you should of told the barman/maid to f*ck off.

[dune]

Ah yes, The Platform. Had three pints there before the Millwall match last season: pretty good considering it was a 12.45 KO.

 

Women shouldn't drink pints. Have a word with yourself.

[EastleighSoulBoy]

I think Southampton has loads of proper old pubs.

 

Would I be right in thinking out in the estates and surrounding areas? The last pub I went in in town was very much one of those plastic affairs.

 

Eastleigh had some classic 'old style' pubs, The Cricks, Eastleigh Hotel, Chamberlayne but they have either disappeared (Eastleigh Hotel) or succumbed to the sanitised style like the Litten Tree, Wagon Works (although a Wetherspoons).

 

Sad times indeed.

[saintkiptanui]

Would I be right in thinking out in the estates and surrounding areas? The last pub I went in in town was very much one of those plastic affairs.

 

Eastleigh had some classic 'old style' pubs, The Cricks, Eastleigh Hotel, Chamberlayne but they have either disappeared (Eastleigh Hotel) or succumbed to the sanitised style like the Litten Tree, Wagon Works (although a Wetherspoons).

 

Sad times indeed.

Not at all. Plume, Tavern, Angel, Palmeston, blah blah blah, loads in the town. Found a really nice pub after the skates game, no idea where it is as I was a bit tiddley but it was pwoper.

[Trader]

Went into the White Horse in Ampfield last night for a pint on my way home.

 

About 10.20 on a Friday night

 

About 3 people in there - 30 years ago it would have been heaving.

 

Sad what's happened to the British pub - I have to say though that a pint and a J2O at £5.50 is a p*ss-take.

[Colinjb]

Went into the White Horse in Ampfield last night for a pint on my way home.

 

About 10.20 on a Friday night

 

About 3 people in there - 30 years ago it would have been heaving.

 

Sad what's happened to the British pub - I have to say though that a pint and a J2O at £5.50 is a p*ss-take.

 

It's what the social conditioning of a socialist grounded government will do.

 

Hopefully times will now change.

[dune]

Not at all. Plume, Tavern, Angel, Palmeston, blah blah blah, loads in the town. Found a really nice pub after the skates game, no idea where it is as I was a bit tiddley but it was pwoper.

 

Not been in the Angel for years, it used to be alright for a few games of pool on a Sunday. An old teddy boy used to to serve behind the bar/was the landlord. Reckon it would have been a pretty rough pub a few years before.