[Closed] So what makes a pub great!

Open fire, good ales and a busty bar maid.

Oh and no TV's.

My local is awesome. Real ales, world beers, open fire, hot barmaids. It does amazing food too, but without detracting from the real drinking in the bar area.

Strapping lass over the jump
nice pint
fire when there's an R in the month
garden when there isn't
people to watch
guns

ale
value
barmaid knows your name (and what you drink)
fire
garden
food

bit of a theme starting to develop!

quality ale. nice barmaid. fire. no objection to 6 muddy cyclists turning up wanting chips just after the kitchen has closed.

good mix of old men who've drunk there for years, a younger crowd and passing trade

it's people what makes pubs, not necessarily good ale (although good ale is a bonus)

and dogs, all good pubs should have at least one dog in at all times

good ale is not a bonus, if a pub can't keep a good pint then its failed

My ideal pub...

[list]TV for sports if there is a game on, soaps if there's not
Some sort of soft play area for the kids
More than 1 lager (preferably Fosters, Carling [i]and[/i] Stella)
Fruit machine and quiz machine
Garden not necessary, but if there is outdoor space it has to have several patio heaters
Adequate facilities for smokers (prefarable on the way in/way out so they don't have to go too far)
Pool table - with short cue for the awkward corner/pillar
Being part of a chain is good as you know exactly what you are getting, especially when it comes to food. Nothing worse than ordering some kind of thrown together home made pie or chips
[/list]

Good selection of well kept beers
decent seats inside & out
open fire in winter
no TV,s fruit machines & there like
proper pub games including phat adds to atmosphere
& good clean toilets

That'll do me

Stale air.
Stale ale.
Toothless no-hopers at the bar.
Bloated barman / barmaid.
Microwave meals.
A beer gardens full of halfwit smokers making it unbearable for everyone.
Warm wine.
Inept wine list.
Cheese crisps & pork scratching for the obese lumps.
A jukebox.
A knackered pool table.
99% male occupancy.
Quiz / domino / crib nights.
A woodden spoon for your meal / table number.
Themed interiors.
Formulated everything, decor, drinks, you name it.

WAIT!
That's why we don't bother anymore with such an out of date institution.

as above really, but old pubs too. one's with lots of character. my local back home was great, there was a small table where you could sit with the sign 'education corner' above it where all the locals would banter all night.

A lack of smokers helps...

so is the secret formula - Fire/Garden, 'welcoming' Barmaid (man), good beer, good grub?

My local is awesome. Real ales, world beers, open fire, hot barmaids. It does amazing food too, but without detracting from the real drinking in the bar area.

Sounds like mine to. It's excellent.

Good beer, a welcoming landlord and staff.

Proper home cooked food is a bonus, but not essential.

there is a fine pub along the street from me it has:

a snug area with big fire
a bar with big fire
at least one wet dog
big wooden bar
real well worn wooden floor
lots of real ales and euro lagers
characters (both sides of the bar)
cracking hanging baskets in the summer
good beer festival during the late spring
good out door area

the aletaster, low fell, gateshead - a crackin boozer

Walking in and the staff having y' usual on the bar just as you get there. Ta Dean.:)

Good, free, live music. Loud enough to enjoy, quiet enough to talk over. Good beer. Friendly staff. Bar snacks. Good food (if serving food).

If it's a local type pub (as apposed to city centre or wine bar/ club etc) then it's all about the craic. A good bit of banter- you can't beat it. They have to keep the prices decent to attract the custom and keep the regulars, some kind of decent grub or snacks, pool table, jukebox.