Gastropubs

[richard]

Heard yesterday that my local of 25 years is being 're-developed' as a GASTROPUB. I am in a state of shock.

[38thBeatle]

That is not good. I am at the Welly tomorrow night btw.

[Philly Q]

What type of gastropub is it, and what type of local was it?

Nothing wrong with a "gastropub" if it's a nice little independently-run place with good food plus a decent bar, is there?

[Roobubba]

I'm with Philly (and not for the first time, <shock!>), if it has good ales on tap and a decent vibe, I'm all for gastropubs. Now what I can't stand is 'sports bars.' It's fine if you have no taste buds and think Fosters is fit for human consumption, and don't mind sitting in a shite hole for a few hours, but really, no ales in these places and a bunch of cretins talking about nothing of significance very loudly... no thanks :)

[Philly Q]

I'm with Philly (and not for the first time, <shock!>)

 :lol:   :drink:

[Afghan Dave]

I am very active in the "lobby" group trying to get politicians to do something to help the pub trade.

To me it's sad when a pub closes but at least this is still open for now.

Change always happend but it's all about the beer for me and if the ale is good I'm a happy man.

The other great shame is when an historic pub interior is gutted out and lost forever..  :(

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i28UEoLXVFQ

[Elliot]

Unfortunately, very few 'gastropubs' are actually 'gastropubs' - but rather chain owned imitations with pre-made food brought in by Whitbread or Greene King or whoever.  Years ago I used to go to the Eagle on Farringdon Road for lunch (apparently the pub that kicked off the gastropub craze) on a Friday and it was a great venue - good beer and great food - a true gastropub should not let the food get in the way of the beer, but all too often, it is to make up for the fact that the pub aspect has died and the economic thing to do (according to the accountants at central office) is to stick a clone restaurant in what remains.  

Not been back to the Eagle for a few years as I no longer drink   .

[Afghan Dave]

Ah, back in the day I went to the Eagle too... Food was indeed VERY good.

It did become more of a restaurant than a pub though.

[Philly Q]

Unfortunately, very few 'gastropubs' are actually 'gastropubs' - but rather chain owned imitations with pre-made food brought in by Whitbread or Greene King or whoever.  

Oh yeah, absolutely.  That's why I wanted to know more about Richard's new "gastropub".

[richard]

Hi 38th - sadly I can't make The Welly tonight but I shall be at the Malt Shovel tomorrow -  Saturday (20th). Looked up Alter Ego and realise I know your bass player Keith. I worked in Worthing with him for 4 years. He asked me to try out for the band some time back but I couldn't consider it because you were rehearsing in Horsham I think and I have no transport. Were you on the CD I heard a year or so ago ? I was very impressed - great stuff.

Anyhow - Gastro pubs. To me a pub that sells food = beer + food. A restaurant = food + beer. Gastropub = ghastly hybrid that fails to be either a pub or a restaurant. And it is part of a chain that own about 70 pubs in Brighton and try and do everything as cheaply as possible. It's the end of the world as I know it.

[38thBeatle]

Hi Richard- yes that would have been me and yes we do rehearse in Horsham. Pity I am playing at the Queens Head tomorrow night.

As for gastropubs- I am open minded- depends upon how they execute the idea. If they stop having bands then I am naturally not too keen but so many are struggling and I guess they have to do what they have to do. For some reason Horsham seems to have a plethora of Italian eating establishments- I don't mean that we consume Italians ( before some smart ar*e pipes up- like I would if it wasn't me writing this). As I am particularly keen on Italian food, I am rather delighted with the choice.

[jpfamps]

I think we should return to 70's pub food: plain, salt & vinegar or cheese & onion crisps, salted peanuts, and pork scratchings.

[juansolo]

Heard yesterday that my local of 25 years is being 're-developed' as a GASTROPUB. I am in a state of shock.

I'm a (large) Yorkshireman and I like my pub food. I accidentally went in a gastropub in Reading and ordered pie,  chips and a pint. I was not a very happy chappy with what (little) they brought. Did the $%&#ing size of me and my accent not ring any alarm bells? I think my comment of 'where's the rest of it?' went down as well as expected.

[WezV]

There is a pub i have been going to in Burton since i was 14, used to be a dingy rocker pub.   It used to be an abbey so was naturally called 'The Abbey'.

Its the actual birthplace of brewing in Burton and therefore Burton itself.   It was even on an episode of time team ;)

Its now a fancy gastropub/restaurant.   and the name they chose - 'The Winery'

I must admit they do good food and even a decent pint - but i do wonder why they could not have kept a little bit of heritage

but yeah - now i work for the major brewer in the town and we are definitely feeling the pinch of the declining pub trade.  Pubs either need to be very good, or offer something different. they need to attract people from miles around to stand any chance of profitability - no room for the local pub for local people any more and not much profit in just selling beer

[Elliot]

I think we should return to 70's pub food: plain, salt & vinegar or cheese & onion crisps, salted peanuts, and pork scratchings.

Yeah Frank, and lets not forget Sunday specials like Chicken in a basket or scampi and chips.