Equally I’ve also been in many more mediocre ones which,
whilst meeting a few essential requirements, are pubs I can either take or
leave. Then there are other outlets which having experienced once, I would
never wish to set foot in again.
So let us look more closely at this and see if we can come
up with things which are essential and things which are desirable. There are
some which most pub lovers would agree on, but equally there are others which
divide opinion.
For beer lovers the quality, range or sometimes rarity of
the brew(s) stocked plays an important and often essential part. Then for
lovers of buildings, and fans of architecture in general, the design, layout,
history and makeup of the pub itself make an equally important contribution.
The people who frequent the pub (customers) are also an important factor; as
who and what they are play a key role in determining the type of pub, its
atmosphere and ambience.
There are obviously pubs to suit different occasions, moods
or social requirements; be they a place for thirsty and foot sore ramblers to
stop off on a hot summers day, whilst in the middle of a country walk, or the
same pub, on a crisp, but bitingly cold winter’s day, when there’s a welcoming
log fire roaring away in the grate.
And then for sports’ lovers there are pubs showing the
latest football, rugby or cricket tournaments.
Other pubs function as real
community locals, holding quiz evenings, barbecues, fancy dress evenings and
often fund-raising activities. 
We all have our own ideas as to what makes a good pub, and
ultimately it depends on exactly what people are looking for. It would be good to hear other people's views on this, so if anyone
would like to add to the debate, please feel free to add you comments.
4 comments:
It's important to remember that "a good pub" and "a pub I like" aren't necessarily the same thing, although there will be a large overlap.
I'd say the key characteristics of a good pub are that it knows exactly what it's setting out to do, it doesn't make people feel unwelcome and it demonstrates attention to detail.
Some years ago, I wrote a piece on Curmudgeon's Ideal Pub although, as I said, "I suspect you'd find you did all these worthy things and no bugger would turn up!"
In terms of ticking boxes across the spectrum, probably the best pub I've ever been in is the Black Horse at Clapton-in-Gordano in Somerset.
I find it impossible to write the components down. As with great music, you just know. The Queen's Arms in Cowden Pound felt like a great pub as soon as I walked through the door !
The post was intended really as a bit of fun, particularly as the question of “What makes a good pub?” is so subjective and also deeply personal.
Curmudgeon probably comes closest in trying to “nutshell it”, with his second paragraph, but I think you are also correct Martin, when you say that sometimes you just know when you when you are entering a good one; even if you can’t always identify the components on paper, let alone put your finger on it.
Looking back on over 40 years of pub-going, I could probably identify quite a few pubs which, at the time, seemed the best ever, but on reflection was it more the occasion, the company I was with, the time of year plus a host of other factors, which made me feel that way, or was it genuinely the pub itself?
Pubs obviously change over the years, and so do we as people, and sometimes when re-visiting what you once may have thought an absolute classic, you are strangely disappointed; even if the pub hasn’t changed.
I am also firmly of the opinion that there are pubs to suit different occasions, different moods and different locations. For this, plus the other reasons outlined above, the perfect pub does not exist, because even if you managed to find it, you would always be on the lookout for something “better”.
Paul, love your comment even more than the post. Lot of truth there.
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