What makes a really great bar or pub ?
#62
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Any FTers travelling to London and looking for a pub that comes close to George Orwell's description in the OP wouldn't go far wrong with this place.It's just a stagger from Trafalgar Square.
www.harpcoventgarden.com
www.harpcoventgarden.com
#63

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As a very lightweight social drinker, that usually is over the top for me. I ordered a single shot of Scotch (neat) once and got what I viewed as a tumbler. Way too much for me to stomach. But I appreciated his efforts to give me such a long pour. He was tipped well and my business partner got a buzz on courtesy of that huge pour.
#64




Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: London, UK
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Any FTers travelling to London and looking for a pub that comes close to George Orwell's description in the OP wouldn't go far wrong with this place.It's just a stagger from Trafalgar Square.
www.harpcoventgarden.com
www.harpcoventgarden.com
#65
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That's part of the charm. On a warm summers evening it is a fine place for a couple of post work ales.
#66
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1. Good selections of beer and liquor.
2. Good bartenders/staff.
3. Good non-healthy food
4. I need to be able to hear my friends and talk to them without yelling at the top of my lungs.
5. No loud music. Background music is fine.
6. Us regulars need a couple of reserved bar stools/tables
7. Couple of TVs is fine...long as its not too loud unless championship game/race/match.
2. Good bartenders/staff.
3. Good non-healthy food
4. I need to be able to hear my friends and talk to them without yelling at the top of my lungs.
5. No loud music. Background music is fine.
6. Us regulars need a couple of reserved bar stools/tables

7. Couple of TVs is fine...long as its not too loud unless championship game/race/match.
#67
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- Good selection of spirits and beer.
- The feeling of the pub being a small community in its own right. A pub is soul less without regulars.
- Further to that, there should be a good cross-section of regulars. From CEO's to tradesmen.
- Friendly staff
- Regulars should not have to leave at closing.
Thankfully, all these qualities are found in my local. Although of late, "staffies" seems to be occuring back at my place, which isn't such a concern as the staff are all female students in their early 20's.
- The feeling of the pub being a small community in its own right. A pub is soul less without regulars.
- Further to that, there should be a good cross-section of regulars. From CEO's to tradesmen.
- Friendly staff
- Regulars should not have to leave at closing.
Thankfully, all these qualities are found in my local. Although of late, "staffies" seems to be occuring back at my place, which isn't such a concern as the staff are all female students in their early 20's.
#68
Join Date: Mar 2007
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A bartender that will hold a specific beer for you knowing that you come in every Friday 
...
1. Good selections of beer and liquor.
2. Good bartenders/staff.
3. Good non-healthy food
4. I need to be able to hear my friends and talk to them without yelling at the top of my lungs.
5. No loud music. Background music is fine.
6. Us regulars need a couple of reserved bar stools/tables
7. Couple of TVs is fine...long as its not too loud unless championship game/race/match.

...
1. Good selections of beer and liquor.
2. Good bartenders/staff.
3. Good non-healthy food
4. I need to be able to hear my friends and talk to them without yelling at the top of my lungs.
5. No loud music. Background music is fine.
6. Us regulars need a couple of reserved bar stools/tables

7. Couple of TVs is fine...long as its not too loud unless championship game/race/match.
#70
Moderator: CommunityBuzz!, OMNI, OMNI/PR, and OMNI/Games & FlyerTalk Evangelist



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simple answer: a bar/pub that fits my mood.
While I like and generally seek out the pub that Orwell describes, one would get bored to tears of that experience day in/day out, at least I hope one would!!
I recently vacationed in Florida, I generally don't seek out 'redneck' bars but during our week there Mrs Sweet Willie & I found ourselves in more down n dirty oyster bars with country/rock blaring from the jukebox, drinking cold cheap beers & slurping down oysters, it was heaven.
While I like and generally seek out the pub that Orwell describes, one would get bored to tears of that experience day in/day out, at least I hope one would!!
I recently vacationed in Florida, I generally don't seek out 'redneck' bars but during our week there Mrs Sweet Willie & I found ourselves in more down n dirty oyster bars with country/rock blaring from the jukebox, drinking cold cheap beers & slurping down oysters, it was heaven.
#71

Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: USA - HNL, SEA, DEN, ORD, MCO, and all points inbetween
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simple answer: a bar/pub that fits my mood.
While I like and generally seek out the pub that Orwell describes, one would get bored to tears of that experience day in/day out, at least I hope one would!!
I recently vacationed in Florida, I generally don't seek out 'redneck' bars but during our week there Mrs Sweet Willie & I found ourselves in more down n dirty oyster bars with country/rock blaring from the jukebox, drinking cold cheap beers & slurping down oysters, it was heaven.
While I like and generally seek out the pub that Orwell describes, one would get bored to tears of that experience day in/day out, at least I hope one would!!
I recently vacationed in Florida, I generally don't seek out 'redneck' bars but during our week there Mrs Sweet Willie & I found ourselves in more down n dirty oyster bars with country/rock blaring from the jukebox, drinking cold cheap beers & slurping down oysters, it was heaven.
^ Sounds wonderful. I'd agree, variety is the spice of life. Sometimes it's a fine Jazz bar, other times just a quiet cocktail lounge. Never tried "redneck" bars, but would not discount them.

