Pubs come in all shapes and sizes but do usually fall into one of the category's that i will list and show what they look like.
City Centre / Town Pubs
I quite like city centre and town pubs and i really like market pubs which i think fall into the same category.
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| Photo taken by Alan Winfield |
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| Photo taken by Alan Winfield |
Estate Pubs
I really like going in estate pubs and have done loads of them,they are usually very comfortable with bench seating and two separate rooms.
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| Photo taken by Alan Winfield |
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| Photo taken by Alan Winfield |
I took a photo of the Green Barrel in December 1992.
Dining Pubs
I do not mind going in dining pubs if they have a drinking area which most do have or where you can dine or drink anywhere,i always find then to be comfortable and i like them either early or late afternoon when less busy.
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| Photo taken by Alan Winfield |
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| Photo taken by Alan Winfield |
Wetherspoons
People seem to either love or hate them, i fall into the first category.
I usually find them to be comfortable and warm and they also open early and do a good breakfast,whats not to like about them.
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| Photo taken by Alan Winfield |
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| Photo taken by Alan Winfield |
Two different Wetherspoons pubs that i enjoyed going in.
The one in Crystal Palace is an old style Wetherspoons,the Sheaf Island is more modern,just a shame that it is on the site of the old Wards brewery.
Country Pubs
I quite like country pubs,probably because i do not get to go in them that often as i can not drive,but my brother as took me to some really nice Country Pubs over the years.
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| Photo taken by Alan Winfield |
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| Photo taken by Alan Winfield |
Two decent country pubs that i enjoyed going in.
The Wanted Inn is in Derbyshire and the Overstone Arms is in Northamptonshire,i would never have done these pubs without the help of my brother who drove me to them and loads more country pubs.
Back Street Locals Pubs
These type of pubs along with estate pubs seem to have closed down more than most types of pubs.
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| Photo taken by Alan Winfield |
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| Photo Taken by Alan Winfield |
Destination Real Ale Pubs
These are pubs that champion real ales and have loads of handpumps on the bar.
I never really get on with this type of pub as they always attract the same type of beer buffs who just talk about beer.
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| Photo taken by Alan Winfield |
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| Photo taken by Alan Winfield |
Two destination real ale pubs that i did not really enjoy while in them.
The Grove in Huddersfield was packed in both rooms with beer buffs,the Maltings in York was just the same too full for comfort,and why change its name from the Lendal Bridge which it faced to the crap name The Maltings.
Micro Pubs
The new kid on the block and a type of pub that you either tend to love or hate,i have grown to dislike them the more i have done over the last few years and my wife will not go in them anymore.
They have stupid opening hours and no music in most,if you want something to eat it is a pork pie or scotch egg,if a micro pub is being really daring they will do cheese and onion cobs.
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| Photo taken by Alan Winfield |
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| Photo taken by Alan Winfield |
Two different micro pubs one in Duffield the other in the Carrington area of Nottingham,neither has a bar so you stand round like a wally until someone comes out to serve you.
Riverside / Canalside Pubs
I quite like Riverside pubs especially if in a large city like London,though i have done some nice canalside pubs.
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| Photo taken by Alan Winfield |
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| Photo taken by Alan Winfield |
Two pubs that i really liked and have been in more than once,the views from the Founders Arms are great,you have to get in The Dove early to bag a seat with a view of the River Thames.
Chain Pubs
I only know the really well know chain pubs like Slug & Lettuce and Yates's.
I do not mind going in them early on and have had decent meals in different Slug and Lettuce's,but i am not that struck on them later in the evening.
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| Photo taken by Alan Winfield |
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| Photo taken by Alan Winfield |
The Slug & Lettuce is in Lincoln and the Yates's in Swindon,i prefer the Slug & Lettuce chain over Yates's.
Sports Pubs
These type of pubs usually have loads of TVs so you can see the sport they are showing wherever you are sat or stood.
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| Photo taken by Alan Winfield |
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| Photo taken by Alan Winfield |
The photo of the Southbank Bar was taken in November 2010.
I quite like The Southbank Bar it is nice and comfortable when not busy and the service is very quick when packed before a Forest home game.
I also enjoyed my visit to Legends.
This is my list of different types of pubs,there may be other types of pubs that i have not thought about.
The list above is in no order of preference,but i will list them in the order i like them below.
1: Estate Pubs
2: City Centre / Town Pubs
3: Country Pubs
4: Riverside / Canalside pubs
5: Back Street Locals Pubs
6: Wetherspoons Pubs
7: Sports Pubs
8: Dining Pubs
9: Real Ale Destination Pubs
10: Micro Pubs
11: Chain Pubs
I know that most will not agree with my list of pubs that i prefer.
The bottom three could have been in any order as i do not like any of them that much.
Let me know what types of pubs you prefer.
The category you missed for me is Heritage pubs. Often the beer is not great, but the ambiance often makes up for it. 3, 4, and 9 of your pub types are my favorites. Although your point is well taken on number 9... Nice to see you posting again.
ReplyDeleteThanks Dave,
DeleteEverybody has different opinions of what pubs they like,that is what makes the world go round.
"this pub is in Wisbech."
ReplyDeleteFor a moment there I saw Wisbech and thought it was in Germany! :)
"I do not mind going in dining pubs if they have a drinking area which most do have or where you can dine or drink anywhere"
Over there that usually isn't a problem. You can just have a drink anywhere if you want. Some pubs/bars have a "lounge" area as well as a restaurant side, but all that means is you have to be of drinking age to go into the lounge area.
"People seem to either love or hate them, i fall into the first category."
I think I would as well if I was over there. :)
"I quite like country pubs,probably because i do not get to go in them that often as i can not drive,"
Even if you did drive Alan you wouldn't be able to drive to one and be allowed to drive home afterwards! :)
"as they always attract the same type of beer buffs who just talk about beer."
Or as some call them, 'the bearded hipster set'. :)
As for preference, I like your top five but don't have a particular order.
Basically, Country and 'water' pubs have nice views going for them; City centre and town are good for people watching (outside); and Estate and Back Street (if done right) have great atmosphere.
Cheers
Cheers Russ,
DeleteGlad you like my top five,the top four could have been in any order,but i do really like going in estate pubs.
Firstly,Alan,good to see you posting.
ReplyDeleteI clearly share your preferences in the main. Where would you put a pub like the Horse & Jockey though ?
Thanks Martin.
DeleteI do feel a bit better after another operation and i may take my wife out to our local Wetherspoons this week.
I would not put the Horse & Jockey in the same category as the Grove or Maltings,i can see your point but Stapleford is not a place to go out of your way to visit, i have shot myself in the foot by saying that has you have been there and Life after Football too.
I see you haven't included "craft beer bars", possibly because you haven't visited enough of them, but I expect they'd be down towards the bottom of the list ;-)
ReplyDeleteYes you are spot on Peter.
Deletecould have put the Hand Bar in Falmouth and the Paper Duck in Harbourne Birmingham as i really disliked both no real ale i either and crap craft sludge in both.
It would have been rock bottom if i had included it.
Spoons & Sams top my list. They ain't a rip off. Other gaffs take the mick.
ReplyDeleteI like both Sam Smiths and Wetherspoons pubs,you can not beat a good pint of Sams OBB.
DeleteMy mate refers to Estate Pubs as Danger Pubs. I like doing these like you as you know as I'll go anywhere for a pint.
ReplyDeleteI've no preference to doing any pub but I would include an category of "is it or isn't it". Places like hotel bars where you can just walk in which act as pubs and those which have pumps and you think do I need to order food but you don't.
I have never had a problem when visiting estate pubs,though my brother nearly dropped us in the shit when we went to see Forest at Aston Villa,i was with my wife and we got in the area early and was walking round,i found a pub near some motorway as we walked round the corner there was a large mob of Villa fans outside,my brother stupidly turned on his heels,i said head up and walk in with confidence which we did,no problems,the pub was The Adventurers.
ReplyDeleteRegarding is or is'nt it,i just walk in and go to the bar if they dont want you in there they will soon tell you.
Thanks for reading my blog Jon.
Cheers Alan
Oh dear Alan we appear to have opposing views on pubs,
ReplyDelete1 Real Ale Destination Pubs
2 Backstreet Locals Pubs
3 Micro Pubs
4 City Centre /Town Pubs
5 Country Pubs
6 Riverside/Canal Pubs
7 Sports Pubs
8 Estate Pubs
9 Dining Pubs
!0 Wetherspoons Pubs
11 Chain Pubs
At least we agree on last place. Good to see you back.
Thank you Moby Duck,
DeleteIt is your opinion as to what pubs you like and dont like.
I did read your new blog and will comment on it when i get more time,i hope you carry on doing it after the Brighton ones have been done.
It has been a long hard slog and i am not sure what the future holds for me at the moment,but i do feel a lot better than i have done over the last five weeks or so.
Cheers Alan
It's got to be estate pubs, city centre pubs and wetherspoons as my top three with canslside boozers in at 4 👍 great blog Alan and can forest please do us a favour by beating Barnsley in your rearranged fixture! ⚽ Similar to Martin's question...what sort of pub would you class Larrys as?
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind words Ian,
ReplyDeleteI doubt Forest will do you any favours Ian,i have been told that we can be pretty poor at the moment,i can see us being sucked into the relegation battle.
I would say Larry's is a sports come locals pub,how would you define it Ian.
Cheers Alan
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ReplyDeleteGreat post and one to set people thinking - there's nothing better than a list (or league table) to get the discussion going. My list would go like this: -
ReplyDelete1. Country Pubs
2. Back Street Locals
3. City/Town Centre Pubs
4. Riverside/Canal Pubs
5. Estate Pubs
6. Chain Pubs
7. Dining Pubs
8. Wetherspoon Pubs
9. Sports Pubs
10.Micro Pubs
11.Real Ale Destination Pubs
I grew up in a small village and so I'm always partial to country pubs and back street locals are the closest you get to that in a city/town.
I've visited great waterside pubs, but there are also some terribly pretentious ones and many badly run ones that I couldn't rate them higher.
Estate pubs 'scare' me slightly - they're supposed to be like village pubs, but they tend to be bigger and brasher than their country cousins!
After that my list order would vary according to my mood, but the last two reflect that I'm a lager drinker.
However, there isn't a pub yet that I've thought "I wouldn't go in there" because a pub is as much about who you are with than the beer or the surroundings!
Thanks Peter,
ReplyDeleteYour list is pretty similar to mine.
I have always liked going in estate pubs and the worse they look the more i want to do them,i have done some really rough estate pubs over the years.
Good to see you blogging again.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a fan of estate pubs and market pubs. Back street or village locals would probably be my favourites, followed by country pubs.
I know what you mean about real ale destination pubs; my particular gripe is that I look at the rows of pump clips and think there's only about two beers on that I fancy. Too much choice! But too many beers for the likes of Citra/Moby Duck - everything's tasting of tropical fruit.
If you go into a back street local there's only one or two beers, you just have a drink and, if it's not to your taste, just shrug your shoulders. Similar if you have to drink a keg or smooth. But if there are four beers on (as happened when I went in a bar in Sheffield called Bar Stewards recently) and they're all either extremely hoppy or very sweet, I just feel like walking out.
Thanks Will,
DeleteI have now got to try and do some reviews on Pubs Galore about 80 from last year,but i do find it very hard to get going at the moment.
I enjoyed reading your plans for the Brighton Crawl,i have only been once with the wife we did 18 pubs and then back to London for a major piss up.
The oncologists at Radiotherepy keep telling us to go on a holiday when it is finished,was thinking of Hastings but now think Brighton may be better with a short trip to lewes, but we will go in any pub we see,i am not really sure how much i can drink now as i have not had much for the last five months.
You'll like Brighton, I'm sure. Definitely worth doing. A lot of the pubs are tourist-oriented, but it's amazing how many there are that are still locals' pubs, especially once you get away from the Lanes. The Hanover was good, in fact most of the pubs in that part of Brighton you would like. Also to the west, in Hove, Patcham, Fishersgate etc (frequent train service to help you get about), lots of back street locals with good real ale. I hope you and the missus get yourselves down there. (Lewes is all right too, for a little trip out on the train.)
DeleteYes I agree with Will( about Brighton, not his lack of adventure in beer flavour), If you get the chance Alan there's an almost endless amount of pubs there for you to enjoy.
ReplyDeleteUnsurprisingly my rankings would be substantially different, but good to see you putting out a thought-provoking post that obviously had a lot of consideration going into it - keep at it, Alan!
ReplyDeleteIt would be interesting to see everyones pub-type rankings side by side - Tandleman, Mudgie, Protzy, Melissa, Pete Brown... just to see how different or similar we really are.
Have to admit, Estate pubs would be at or near the bottom of my list, perhaps only held off by macro chain pubs and 'Family' dining pubs...
It's very difficult to generalise as pretty much every category can vary between gems and complete horrors. A few years ago I did a list of my eleven favourite pubs, and from that I'd draw the conclusion that my favourite type of pub must be traditional pubs with a mixed clientele in the centres of towns and smaller cities, which account for eight of the total.
DeleteMany thanks for reading my blog Ben.
DeleteWhat would be your favourite type of pub if you did a list.
I have been in seven of your eleven favourite pubs Peter.
DeleteMy favourite out of your eleven would be The Ye Olde Dolphin in Derby.
I went in the Olde Dolphin only last month and it was as good as ever. However, the Bass was even better (and cheaper) in the Wetherspoon's, the Babington Arms.
DeleteThis reminds me that I still haven't been to a single one of the Mudgie top ten, so can't really pass judgement on those.
DeleteI know I'm far more driven by the actual beer than a lot of people, and consider other factors secondary at best. On that basis 'real ale destination pubs' would typically be top of my list, though there is sometimes considerable overlap with the 'craft beer bar' category - it all depends on how committed to cask they are. As you say, some of these places have no cask at all and I rarely bother with those.
I also rather like micropubs - though often they are largely smaller versions of destination ale pubs.
Ultimately, if there's no beer I want, I'm unlikely to hang around any pub of any style, unless the circumstances are exceptional - a leaving drink for a close colleague, or a wake or being best man at my friends wedding in Wetherspoons next week!
I accept that I might be missing out on some transformative pub experiences that aren't beer-related because of this policy, but that matters to me far less now than it did when I was about 19.
Me and the wife always drink Bass when in the Olde Dolphin,it used to be a Bass tied house when i first went in it.
Delete@ Ben,
I am more of a pub man than beer man.
I also have no problems in going in Wetherspoons pubs.
I have found it very interesting how people rate different types of pubs.
No one is right or wrong as it is your preference as to what type of pubs you prefer.
Hi Al
ReplyDeleteMy list is quite different than yours, but it was your Manchester visits that go me interested in Pubs Galore.
1. Beer destination pubs.
2. Old historic (heritage) pubs
3. Back Street locals
4. Riverside/canal pubs
5. City centre/town pubs
6. Micro pubs
7. Wetherspoons
8. Sports pubs
9. Dining pubs
10. Estate pubs
11. Chain pubs
Oops, seem to have 11.
I quite like all the top nine, not sure about last two. But as Mudgie said, you get good No.10/11's and bad 1/2's
cheers!
Alan H
Hi Al
DeleteIt is nice to have you doing a comment on my blog.
It is nice to see different peoples preferences on what types of pubs they like.
The more i think about Beer destination pubs the more i dislike them.
I have always enjoyed going in Estate pubs which is why i have done so many of them, loads of them are not on Pubs Galore.
I still read the forum but i do not miss posting on it, if i did i would soon upset people and no doubt get chucked off it again.
I have got too many reviews to do and pubs to add but just car'nt be bothered at the moment.
Cheers Alan
Glad to hear things have improved after your op Alan - and I've not seen your blog much to date, but will aim to correct that from now on. As you might be able to tell I'm playing catch up and commenting on some of your posts of various dates - in no particular order!
ReplyDeleteYour view of pubs is interesting and has made me think a bit more about how objectively I report pubs on my blog. This post in particular has made me think and I think your list of pub types is pretty good.
I would add one extra to the list which is pubs with their own breweries on site - which were common historically but seem to be reinventing themselves with the likes of Brew House and Kitchen etc. I know these fall under 'chain' pubs but thought it was worth mention.
I have criticised various pub types in my blog but to be honest don't mind most types of pub - though the dining pub which has practically turned itself into a restaurant (i.e. ones which make drinkers feel uncomfortable) are my pet hate. There are a few round my neck of the woods in New Forest/Hampshire
Thanks for your comments,
ReplyDeleteSorry for late reply, i have had another prolonged spell in hospital and am not able to eat or drink again.
I do read your blog from time to time and like the pubs you visit.
Cheers Alan
The Great Article Post!!
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