The Worst Day Of The Year For Pub Regulars [Archive]

NickDavies

13-12-2010, 19:17

We're fast approaching some of those days when our favourite pubs are full of random amateur drunken idiots who will never been seen again until the next time. Us professionals at the drunken idiocy game know when we're beaten and stay home for the duration.

So in rank order, which are the worst days of the year for pubgoers? I'd go for

1 New Year's Eve
2 Christmas Eve
3 The Friday before Christmas Eve
4 St Patrick's Day
5 Mother's Day (screaming kids, but no different to drunken idiots)

rpadam

13-12-2010, 19:36

1= New Year's Eve
1= Christmas Eve
1= The Friday before Christmas Eve
1= St Patrick's Day
1= Mother's Day (screaming kids, but no different to drunken idiots)

arwkrite

13-12-2010, 19:54

I would add Christmas Day lunch time. Family parties roll up and take an age to decide and order a round of drinks . Then comes the discussion on who will pay for what. Why -O- Why can they not discuss all these matters before arriving at the pub where they block access to the bar because no one can decide where they will all sit or stand.

Bloody Amateurs !

Andy Ven

13-12-2010, 21:12

Comic Relief or Children in Need night - you will be repeatedly guilted into puttting yiour hand in your pocket by various groups touring the pubs

Soup Dragon

13-12-2010, 22:03

Being honest, anytime someone speaks to me in the pub, whom i do not know, counts as an ordeal - leave me be!

ETA

14-12-2010, 05:49

1= New Year's Eve
1= Christmas Eve
1= The Friday before Christmas Eve
1= St Patrick's Day
1= Mother's Day (screaming kids, but no different to drunken idiots)

1=St Valentines Day
1=Any day a hen party appears
1=Rag week (I'm referring to student pranks, in case there's any ambiguity)

Brewguru

14-12-2010, 07:02

1 New Year's Eve
2 Christmas Eve
3 The Friday before Christmas Eve
4 St Patrick's Day
5 Mother's Day (screaming kids, but no different to drunken idiots)

6 - Halloween, not top of the list, as you need to get out of the house to avoid trick or treaters!

aleandhearty

14-12-2010, 10:18

1 New Year's Eve
2 Christmas Eve
3 The Friday before Christmas Eve
4 St Patrick's Day
5 Mother's Day (screaming kids, but no different to drunken idiots)

Can't argue with that. I'd add part time football supporters, when any internationals are being played.

Rag week (I'm referring to student pranks, in case there's any ambiguity)

:) Why, whatever can you mean?

hondo

14-12-2010, 11:05

Strongers

14-12-2010, 11:08

1 New Year's Eve
2 Christmas Eve
3 Anytime Man U(re) are on the box
4 St Paddy's Day
5 Wife's birthday

RogerB

14-12-2010, 11:16

X Factor Final Day!!!!!

Quinno

14-12-2010, 11:20

1. St Patricks Day - too many numpties who can't handle their drink outside of lager/alcopops on the lash all day
2. New Years - "Hey everyone, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE FUN, IT IS THE LAW". Oh, piss off
3. Saturday night in any town centre in the UK.
4. Televised charity nights - because the do-gooders come into the pub and try and extract money from you when the entire reason you are there in the first place is to get away from it. Fair play to the landlords to who request their exit so as "not to disturb the customers" :)

Evil Gazebo

14-12-2010, 12:08

1. The last working Friday before Christmas was traditionally known as ‘black eye Friday’ in the north-east of my youth (and appeared to be positively relished by a remarkably large number of people). The recipe for mayhem is a simple one - take the usual Friday night antics, and throw into the mix huge gangs of post-party work colleagues, already staggering under the effects of an ill-advised afternoon drinking cheap wine. Confusion at the bar, as a group of 17 drunk office workers buy a round, then attempt to pay for their own drinks individually. With debit cards.

2. As for New Year’s Eve, I’m with Alexei Sayle - part of his routine in the 80s talked of people’s surprise when he told them that he chooses that night to stay in. “They think with my renowned love of pubs and beer, I should spend all year looking forward to it. But it’s amateur hour, it’s horrible. It’s how I imagine Nigel Mansell would feel if he accelerated into the fastest straight at Silverstone, only to find the track clogged up by milk floats and Ford Cortinas.”

3. The student rag-week thing would be bad enough if it really was just a week, but it seems like barely a week goes by now without some pub I’m in being invaded by dozens of jabbering posh kids shouting, “Look at me, look at me!” Dressing in golf outfits and hitting each other with toy plastic golf clubs seems to be their latest hilarious wheeze, although last week they were throwing leeks about the place, the significance of which entirely escaped me.

4. St Patrick’s Day, largely because the clowns getting in my way while wearing outsized shamrock hats, claiming that they are 1/16th Irish and shouting tiocfaidh ar la at each other do so precisely because Guinness tells them to, despite the fact that they probably couldn’t locate Ireland on a map of the UK and Ireland.

5. What happened to the good old days, when being a football supporter meant you were some kind of social pariah? Watching England games on a tiny TV stuck in a draughty corner, as they struggled to a draw against Saudi Arabia would immediately mark you out as a Neanderthal thug, but at least you could watch the match in peace. Now watching England in the pub involves being elbowed and jostled by people who have supported Chelsea all their lives since 2004, showered with lager every time Wayne Rooney gets the ball because he’s the only one anybody recognises and generally losing the will to live as England struggle to a draw with Algeria.

Soup Dragon

14-12-2010, 12:26

Whilst hondo seems to be most on my wavelength, i can't help but notice how miserable we all are

class

aleandhearty

14-12-2010, 13:39

...I can't help but notice how miserable we all are

Probably because the siege of Christmas is nigh, or as a friend in Oz once put it - 'The crass commercialisation of the birth of the world's first socialist'. :)

arwkrite

14-12-2010, 15:00

I think it once had a religious angle but all I see these days is Iceland adverts.

Rex_Rattus

14-12-2010, 15:27

Couldn't get a seat in the pub last night, because Man Utd were playing. And my local has even had the effrontery to hang a "Stretford End" sign over the entrance to one of the bars! So I agree with whoever said "any night when Man U are playing".

And as for going to the pub on Hallowe'en - no way! I stay at home, close my black hole curtains (that from which no light can escape) and don't answer the door to anyone. In the unlikely event that someone wants to visit for some absurd reason then they need to 'phone me before I'll open the door.

Yes Nick - none of the days you mentioned are appropriate times for responsible drinkers to go to the pub. But I might go Christmas Day lunchtime (as long as I can get there pretty much at opening time so as to bag a table) as the atmosphere is usually quite convivial. Bar Humbug!!

Crossste

14-12-2010, 16:10

Christmas Day night.

None of em round here are open.

Eddie86

14-12-2010, 16:32

1 St Patrick's Day
2 Mother's Day
3 The Friday before Christmas Eve
4 Christmas Eve
5 New Year's Eve
as a taciturn sociophobic scot nothing better than being left alone at the end of the bar to :cheers: :drinkup: in peace bah humbug ;)
461462463 :notworthy:

What he said. Black Friday (this Friday coming by the way) isn't normally too bad around here, as most groups go down to Cardiff or up to Hereford for their antics.

New Year's Eve isn't too bad as well now - at around 10pm everyone dissapears to private parties or nightclub/loud bar, leaving around 30 people to bring in the New Year with Jools on the TV and casual chat.

I'm looking forward to being a Mon - Fri worker though! Just think, a bank holiday where I don't have to work! That'll be bliss.

Christmas Day is my favourite to open. Locals get their regular drink poured from when I see them walking up through the window, and tourists aren't normally too bad. We normally suggest to those who 'dont know what I want' mulled wine or a pint of Xmas ale as they're quick to serve.

Conrad

14-12-2010, 16:46

I'm looking forward to being a Mon - Fri worker though! Just think, a bank holiday where I don't have to work! That'll be bliss.
Slightly off-topic, but are you going to blog info on your job change? Being nosey here.

Oggwyn Trench

14-12-2010, 17:24

Bank Holidays , lots of dickheads who cant drink on all dayers

If the pub is by a bookies , Grand National day , lots of woman wandering into the pub sticking betting slips in front of you "have i done this right" or "got any tips" yes "f**k off"

Soup Dragon

14-12-2010, 18:06

Eddie86

14-12-2010, 20:30

Slightly off-topic, but are you going to blog info on your job change? Being nosey here.

I will be, yes

hondo

15-12-2010, 06:19

I will be, yes :)

oldboots

15-12-2010, 08:09

The Real Ale Twats in the latest Viz reckon it's New Year's Eve

trainman

15-12-2010, 08:54

The Real Ale Twats in the latest Viz reckon it's New Year's Eve

Ah, a friend mentioned the RATs were back in the last edition. Anyone able to scan a copy here to bring us up to date with the Casketeers?

oldboots

15-12-2010, 10:07

not sure where we stand on copyright but.....
465 (http://www.viz.co.uk/)

aleandhearty

15-12-2010, 10:33

not sure where we stand on copyright but.....

Will probably have to come down, but I've read it now, so that's OK! Love the line 'throng of fly-by-night festive bibbers'. Cheers 'ob'.

Soup Dragon

15-12-2010, 11:46

Isn't Old Savilles 5.3%?

And yes - it should come down after we have all read it!

Farway

15-12-2010, 12:13

I've read it, cheers

Oggwyn Trench

15-12-2010, 18:19

also any day you go to a Shrewsbury v Walsall match, eh Oggy?;)

Only time i have ever been arrested was October 1988 , fighting with Walsall fans , misspent youth

trainman

16-12-2010, 07:29

not sure where we stand on copyright but.....
465 (http://www.viz.co.uk/)

I missed it! Any chance of a pm attachment ob?
Cheers.

Millay

16-12-2010, 14:31

For me it’s any day in the couple of weeks leading up to Christmas. Working in London I tend to avoid central pubs as much as I can during this period. Thankfully as soon as it’s all over things get back to normal. Here’s a Christmas Rant I wrote for an unofficial work newsletter back in 2006.

Here we are, right in the middle of the party season, the time of year that professional drinkers in the City dread. We tend to stay out of pubs in the same way that hardened racegoers wouldn't dream of going to Ascot on Ladies Day or residents of Notting Hill decamp to the country on carnival weekend.

The bars are full of "pub tourists" and of course the office party crowd is easy to spot. At lunchtimes there'll be giggling girlies with an array of flashing headgear lunching on rocket salads and something slimline. They'll be accompanied by a couple of uncomfortable looking blokes who aren't even used to sitting down in a pub let alone interrupting the pursuit of ebriety with food.

Evening time and the "we must have a team Christmas drink" brigade are out in force. Typically 6-10 people but this time the blokes will outnumber the women, all of whom will be trying desperately to look interested and amused by the inane and innuendo ridden outpourings from their male colleagues.

The first round is generally on the company, then the most senior male will feel obliged to buy a round, either by way of thanks for the staff's work throughout the year, or just by a fear of them talking about him if he doesn't.

Then comes the awkward period, when everyone has all but finished their drinks but no-one wants to get caught for a round, occasionally the girls will be practical and suggest they split a round. The conversation then starts to dwindle, I mean once you've asked the two basic questions, "have you bought all your presents yet?" and "where are you spending Christmas?" there's not much else to talk about without mentioning work.

Certainly you won't find me in too many City pubs around Christmas. Thankfully most people who know me realise that an invitation for a "Christmas drink" will usually be met with a look similar to that they would expect had they shat in my hat and offered it back to me.

What you pub tourists fail to realise is that not only are you spoiling it for the rest but you are supporting a false economy. What happens to the livelihood of all those bar staff and pub landlords when you disappear for another 11 months, with only a brief appearance at Birthdays and lottery syndicate wins. Remember
A PUB IS FOR LIFE NOT JUST FOR CHRISTMAS

Strongers

17-12-2010, 13:09

Bah Humbug... I'm off to the Bank of England for an industry Christmas drink on Wednesday, meeting at 18:30 but I'll be in Victoria by 16:00 so should get a few pubs in before hand. Not the biggest fan of the BoE so I shall be banking on making a quick withdrawal!

an_ecumenical_matter

17-12-2010, 14:41

Probably second only behind going to O'Neills in Bristol on St Patricks day will be my visit this afternoon to the Knights (Shites) Templar at Temple Meads on black Friday,that day when most of the orifice party twats are about.................

runningdog

17-12-2010, 16:30

Well, I've come to this thread late, and a good many others no doubt, but I fancy joining the 'bah-humbug' debate. I'm as misery-gutted as the next bloke, no way I'll be about Christmas or New Year'e evening. But I'm pretty sure I'll enjoy my, booked and paid for' Christmas lunch at the Drover's Inn, Gussage All Saints in Dorset.
After all, I have for the last four or five years now. :notworthy::notworthy::drinkup:
During my cabby days, about 16 years or so, I hated Christmas and New Year's Eve with a passion, no matter how profitable they may have bee. But, Christmas Day, best day of the year! No pubs, no drunken flag downs, just private address to private adress, everyone glad to see you, rates of pay great and tips even better...........
Those were the days, and I salute their memory. Brilliant..:love::glass::notworthy::drinkup::drink up:

Delboy20

17-12-2010, 19:54

Strongers

17-12-2010, 21:29

New Years Eve has to be the worst by a country mile.

When I was younger I used to love it. A great night out. What makes my blood boil is pubs charging ridiculous amounts for "tickets only on New Years Eve" nights. Some of these places would gladly beg you to come in and spend some money for 364 nights of the year but feel they can charge you an entrance fee for one night.

Funny you should say that as I was in a pub on Wednesday evening that had ads up for thier NYE party quoting £3 a ticket which gains admission and pays for a pint up to the value of £3.40 at the bar, which was any beer or lager.

Strongers

17-12-2010, 21:42

Only time i have ever been arrested was October 1988 , fighting with Walsall fans , misspent youth

I've never been nicked (far too clever;)), but I did wake up in a cell in Streatham nick one Saturday morning after a night in Ceasars across the road where it was £17.50 to get in and all drinks were free. Still doesn't stop me moaning about the yoof of today though!:o

Wittenden

17-12-2010, 22:49

New Years Eve has to be the worst by a country mile.

When I was younger I used to love it. A great night out. What makes my blood boil is pubs charging ridiculous amounts for "tickets only on New Years Eve" nights. Some of these places would gladly beg you to come in and spend some money for 364 nights of the year but feel they can charge you an entrance fee for one night.

Yes,I used to love it-a trip or two round the handpumps and a snog with the barmaids,but when Cityboy demanded a tenner from the locals-forget it!

Delboy20

18-12-2010, 10:48

My trouble is I like a pub crawl. I am not really one for sitting in the same pub all night. I like to move around and end up at a local. I would need a bank loan to buy a ticket for each pub. As a result I stay in on NYE and order a big Chinese meal. I am normally asleep before 12, only to get woken up by all the bloody fireworks :moremad:- another "tradition" which has crept in since the Millenium - another pet hate of mine

Farway

18-12-2010, 12:30

I am normally asleep before 12, only to get woken up by all the bloody fireworks :moremad:- another "tradition" which has crept in since the Millenium - another pet hate of mine

Don't mention the bloody millenium, I live about 8 miles or so north of Portsmouth, the poxy fireworks that went up from the Solent display off Southsea that evening woke me up with the bangs and flashes despite Portsdown hill being in between, thought it was an invasion by the Frenchies :eek:

Pubsignman

21-12-2010, 14:54

Well, I've come to this thread late, and a good many others no doubt, but I fancy joining the 'bah-humbug' debate. I'm as misery-gutted as the next bloke, no way I'll be about Christmas or New Year'e evening. But I'm pretty sure I'll enjoy my, booked and paid for' Christmas lunch at the Drover's Inn, Gussage All Saints in Dorset.

I'm spending Christmas Day just down the road from you at the Stocks Inn, Furzehill.

I'm surprised you didn't give this place a try though, given their latest promotion!!

http://www.thisisdorset.co.uk/news/Pub-makes-dog-s-dinner-Christmas/article-2982354-detail/article.html

Al 10000

21-12-2010, 15:54

I am a bit late answering this question but heres what i do on these days.

The last time i went in a pub on christmas eve was 1987.

The last time i went in a pub on new years eve was 1987.

On mothers day i go into a pub that does'nt serve food.

The irish saints day is a complete nighmare where ever i go, and my daughter even came in from the pub with a stupid guinness hat on which i threatened to set fire to i did'nt do it though.

And as for football in pubs my wife and i had a big row with a so called arsenal fan in Fellows,Morton & Clayton in Nottingham.
Where do all these glory hunters come from,when we were going to watch Forest in the early 80s there was only 15000 to watch them play Man Utd and as for Chelsea they were getting smaller gates than that those days.

Well thats my rant for today i dont like any of those days to visit a pub but do like visiting pubs on any other day.

Soup Dragon

21-12-2010, 16:01

The last time i went in a pub on christmas eve was 1987.

The last time i went in a pub on new years eve was 1987.

Same session, mate?

runningdog

21-12-2010, 17:44

I'm spending Christmas Day just down the road from you at the Stocks Inn, Furzehill.

Cor, how often d'ja get down this way, and, more important, when d'ja get here, when d'ja leave. I'd love a meet up if it can be arranged.........
I drink at the Stocks every so often but I'm not overstruck on the food, more menu than substance for me.
Whenever I go to the Drovers for a meal, which I do frequently, it's a lot like goin to me grans. I know everyone, know their stories. I'm at home..........:drinkup::drinkup::drinkup:

Pubsignman

23-12-2010, 00:39

Cor, how often d'ja get down this way, and, more important, when d'ja get here, when d'ja leave. I'd love a meet up if it can be arranged.........

I'll be back from 23rd - 27th. I think a meet-up will be tricky as I've got two birthday do's to attend (one on Christmas Eve, the other on Boxing Day) alongside the usual Christmas festivities.
I reckon we could sort out a drink some time in the New Year though - I normally travel down on the train, so it might have to be somewhere with a station nearby.

arwkrite

23-12-2010, 10:47

So far today is my worst day of season. I have a chronic hangover.Lunch time yesterday I walked into town to do some small shopping.We had a good fall of snow yesterday morning so first port of call was the pub for a warmer.From then on it was encountering one mate after another ( some of them twice ,its only a small town ) all wanting or having a Christmas drink. Hobson's Twisted Spire,Wye valley Bitter, HPA and Butty Bach, Thwaites Bitter, it all went down the hatch. I remember a spell of drinking lager because the pub had run out of beer due to no delivery.
I managed the walk home OK until I reached the front of my place when I fell over in the snow. I floundered about and managed to get to bed. Never did get my shopping and I feel to rotten to go and get it today.

Never again, Never again

Conrad

23-12-2010, 12:13

I managed the walk home OK until I reached the front of my place when I fell over in the snow. I floundered about ...
Good to hear you are never too old for snow angels ;)

Hope you are feeling better later and swiftly forget the foolish hangover promises.

runningdog

23-12-2010, 19:16

I reckon we could sort out a drink some time in the New Year though - I normally travel down on the train, so it might have to be somewhere with a station nearby.
Sounds good to me, I feel a bit isolated down 'ere. Give us a heads up,whenever.
Enjoy Christmas Day, old son:drinkup::drinkup::drinkup:

That, by the way, goes for the rest of you out there:drinkup::drinkup::):drinkup::glass:

Brewguru

24-12-2010, 07:21

The first week in January, all those people not drinking as they are cutting back / giving up as a new year's resolution etc. Pathetic. I find I tend to drink more as everyone else is being so miserable.

Quinno

24-12-2010, 16:03

Never again, Never again

until next year...........

HTM69

25-12-2010, 06:40

Easy: New Years Eve.

No doubt I’ll be in a pub for part of the evening at least, but New Years Eve is not a favourite time for drinking out. My friend and I retired to his house just after midnight last year and raided the liquor cabinet with mother and sister – and it was a much better evening for it, actually.

Alesonly

25-12-2010, 11:46

As with most others I never go in a Pub on New years Eve Its bad enough If I have too work on Late Duty's putting up with all the once a year piss heads and trying to get them home afterwards. If I not working I would not normally go out.

arthurchappell

26-12-2010, 11:12

Millay

26-12-2010, 12:12

football match days, especially derby days when two local rival teams play as pubs may close, turn into a battleground or insist on catering to the fans with TV coverage of the neo-religion that is the match

I'll second that, I found myself in Liverpool during the Merseyside Derby earlier in the year and, not knowing the area well, had no idea if I was walking into a staunch blue pub, a red pub or a relatively neutral one. Although I'm not convinced the term neutral exists in Liverpool .

PS Welcome to the forums

Spinko

27-12-2010, 09:40

Ventured into the Adelphi in Leeds on 23rd for a French girl's leaving do. It's usually a quite charming place in there with a slightly quirky atmosphere and all round decent venue. (And usually has Thornbridge Jaipur on:D).

However on the 23rd it had the typical Carling drinker from a flat roofed pub standing doing what they usually do - blocking the bar, blocking doorways, coarse language, making any female (or male with them) feel uncomfortable with their leering. Why can't they stay in their hovels?

RogerB

25-10-2011, 14:40

We're getting to that weekend again! Pubs by the bucketload advertising Halloween nights this weekend. Town centres across the land will be full of drunken Brides of Frankenstein's and Witches of Eastwick all clutching WKD's and staggering zombielike down the High Street. Actually, Dartford is like that most Saturdays.

Alesonly

25-10-2011, 20:34

Then after this week end it will be firework party's the week after then the start of the office piss up season till Christmas & the new year piss ups all yet too come worst luck

arwkrite

26-10-2011, 12:40

I do not subscribe to Halloween. The rubbish bins are put out of harms way and the letter box blocked up for the night. I retire to my bedroom at the back with some bottles, my laptop and some films. Not a ray of light showing. Bah Humbug to the lot of em. ( I am getting pretty good at this "crusty old git lark ).:evilgrin:

runningdog

31-10-2011, 16:42

[QUOTE=arwkrite;38015]I do not subscribe to Halloween. The rubbish bins are put out of harms way and the letter box blocked up for the night.QUOTE]

Oh, believe me, arkers, you are not alone.........It's 17:30 and the little beggers, and that's just what they are, have already called twice. They were unlucky.
Tradition or no, US or UK, all I know, apart from the fact I don't do 'being bullied', is that I'm disgusted by the whole thing. It's got now't to do with tradition or enjoyment, simply profit.........

ETA

01-11-2011, 05:47

Quinno

01-11-2011, 08:18

The Nags got a few quid off me last night. Very relaxing :)

RogerB

01-11-2011, 09:32

Didn't venture into any pubs Friday or Saturday. Vampires, werewolves, bloodsuckers and hounds of hell don't seem to go down the pubs my way on a Sunday evening so a relatively peaceful couple of pints had then. Was dreading any knocks on the door last night but didn't get a single trick or treater. Shame really as I had prepared a few saucepans of boiling water to dispense from the upstairs window when required. A wasted effort.

gillhalfpint

01-11-2011, 12:19

No-one came round our doors last night, and I'm hoping that all the stores full of party gear means that is the way to go, and knocking on doors begging is a thing of the past. I won't give money out as that is what they want, and I now have a fun bag of mini bars of chocolates that I like to take out in the caravan when we go down to Old Windsor tomorrow for the Egham festival.

Quinno

01-11-2011, 12:40

a fun bag of mini bars of chocolates

Giving them an apple always delightfully confuses :D

ETA

02-11-2011, 06:09

Giving them an apple always delightfully confuses :D

That's dangerous - you're giving them ammunition.

aleandhearty

02-11-2011, 15:02

Giving them an apple always delightfully confuses :D

...Particularly when it's injected with a solution of Rohypnol.

runningdog

04-11-2011, 11:26

In the end it all went off quietly round here. The little darlings were all home before dark, which I found rather sad. Afraid of the dark, no stamina, no sense of adventure, no appetite for mischief, what is the world coming to.:confused::drinkup::drinkup::drinkup:
OK, OK, so I'm never satisfied..........:evilgrin:

So, what's happened to me little emoticons?

NickDavies

17-12-2011, 10:42

According to an item on the radio this morning (predictably lazy piece about the West End "Booze Bus") yesterday was Black Friday, with record numbers requiring assistance. Doubtless next Friday will be too. Our train home was remarkably civilised for 8PM on a Friday night. I fear to think what things were like a few hours later.

ROBCamra

17-12-2011, 12:34

Went out about 8:30 last night and The Baum was heaving and apparently it had been all day, but by 9:30 it had quietened down and was probably less busy than a normal Friday night.

Then went down to The Regal Moon which was also very busy, but it calmed down about 10:30.

If that was "nutters Friday" for this year then it all went OK.

Just have to see what happens next week. :(

Old Blue

17-12-2011, 13:43

Croydon last night wasn't half as bad as I expected. The beer in the Green Dragon seems to have improved again and it wasn't ridiculously packed :)

There was a foulmouthed ranting slapper on the Wimbledon tram at the end of the night, but that seems almost par for the course these days and probably nothing to do with Black Friday.

Maldenman

17-12-2011, 14:01

We had our work "do" yesterday in The Boaters Inn (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/35917/) which was excellent and the beer range and quality was fine. Then someone later on decided to drag everyone back into town, to of all places, The Slug and Lettuce. It was hideous, music thumping out, four deep at the bar, no means of talking to anyone, I had one and left.

rpadam

17-12-2011, 15:41

For reasons entirely connected to having a voucher for a free pint, I hesitantly ventured into The Trout (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/66014/) after work yesterday, expecting it to be absolutely rammed. However, I almost got a seat. Strange...

Al 10000

17-12-2011, 16:50

I am now 49 years old and been drinking in pubs since 1978.

I have never heard of Black Friday, i have either lead a very sheltered life or this is some new crap slogan made up by the BBC,ITV or Sky to put people off enjoying one of the best times of the year.
In the future when drinking is banned like smoking has almost been ( i have never smoked ) everbody will be happy,but then again they will find something else to moan about probably chocolate.

This sort of hype really P****S me off.

Bucking Fastard

17-12-2011, 16:57

Yesterday was our annual pub crawl around Hertford ,managed to squeeze in six pubs but I have seen the town busier in prior years.Even the queue for a taxi after consuming a decent curry wasn't as fraught ,and I only spotted one vomitter:sick:.However this was only 1am.

The only ugly event was my garlic breath this morning,as politely pointed out by Mrs F.

Spinko

18-12-2011, 11:41

Fortunately our works do was on Friday which meant we had our own place hired out, however I went out for a couple before the event and had to think very carefully about where to go in order to get served and a seat. The Duck and Drake (Leeds) it was then!

NickDavies

18-12-2011, 12:12

Croydon ...

There was a foulmouthed ranting slapper on the Wimbledon tram at the end of the night, but that seems almost par for the course these days and probably nothing to do with Black Friday.

One of those things (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-16051120) that Croydon does well.

Wittenden

18-12-2011, 14:08

According to an item on the radio this morning (predictably lazy piece about the West End "Booze Bus") yesterday was Black Friday, Doubtless next Friday will be too.

I hadn't heard of this festive day, but then I don't get out much now... When I was a regular, Christmas Eve was a rare night-we'd work our way round the handpumps, and the landlord would ferry out trays of mince pies. For a while, New Year's Eve was a big night, until pubs got greedy, and made it ticket only, so we stayed at home. The only difference from Christmas Eve was that instead of hogging mince pies, we got to snog the barmaids. Busy nights, but very rarely any trouble.(Though the b/maids might beg to differ!.)

Strongers

18-12-2011, 14:19

I've heard the term Black Friday before, but I thought that someone on a now defunct pub forum made it up.

The misses went to the Basketmakers in Brighton on Friday for a work do and she said Brighton was heaving, even more than usual. She did get a bit peed off with some of the regulars in the pub who thought it was fine to tut at and make comments about people that had invaided their pub. The governor didn't seem very upset by the bumper pay day, miserable sods should have stayed at home. :moremad:

Rex_Rattus

19-12-2011, 13:13

I've never heard of the term Black Friday in this context. When I used to work in Whitehall some years ago the busiest day would have been next Friday (i.e. the last working day before Christmas), but I suppose that it has now been brought forward with the Christmas break now being two to three weeks and workers finishing so much earlier. I always thought some pubs actually lost money by being so very crowded. I've been in pubs when you couldn't see the bar counter let alone get to it. But if you were lucky to get a spot at the bar you stayed there, and people at the back were lucky to get one round in. Thus you had lots of people in the pub not drinking and unable to get served, and just getting in the way of those more unfortunate souls even further away from the bar counter.

ROBCamra

19-12-2011, 13:21

She did get a bit peed off with some of the regulars in the pub who thought it was fine to tut at and make comments about people that had invaided their pub.

They've got a fair point though haven't they?

If it wasn't for the regulars the "once a year" bozo's wouldn't have a pub to go to once every year would they?

In my experience the Xmas party punters in stupid hats and who are falling all over the place after 2 G & T's are the ones who are sick in the toilets and outside the front door, not the regulars.

Could I refer you to my strapline. :p

NickDavies

19-12-2011, 13:29

I've never heard of the term Black Friday in this context.

A quick trawl round Google suggests 'black eye friday' may be more common in Geordieland though I agree, I've only become aware of it in the last couple of years. It may have been used among ambulance crews and the cops for longer.

Strongers

19-12-2011, 15:24

They've got a fair point though haven't they?

If it wasn't for the regulars the "once a year" bozo's wouldn't have a pub to go to once every year would they?

In my experience the Xmas party punters in stupid hats and who are falling all over the place after 2 G & T's are the ones who are sick in the toilets and outside the front door, not the regulars.

Could I refer you to my strapline. :p

I've heard locals moan about strangers in their pub on Christmas and New Years Eve, Bonfire Night, Burns Night, Paddy's Day, Rag Week, wedding receptions, wakes, birthdays, St George's Day, FA Cup Final Day or a derby match and Grand National Day.

Some regulars would rather their pub shut than have to share it with non regulars and I've seen them boycott a pub because it has become too busy. Maybe people should only be allowed in a pub if they know a regular already, oh that would be a club. I think the vast majority of people know how to behave in public and rudeness for no reason other than feeling put out by having to queue for a minute or so is unacceptable.

oldboots

19-12-2011, 17:20

Personally I just tend to leave the amateur drinkers to it this week and also on New Years Eve because of them :mad: and the practice of charging for entrance tickets. :moremad:

I'll be back in the pub on 2nd January. :cheers:

I have a small ;) collection of bottled beers to get through and will get a few more this week as my christmas shopping continues :D

Mind you even the specialist offys have bloody amateurs trying to pick an interesting ale for their loved ones.

RogerB

20-12-2011, 12:07

My workplace Secret Santa delivered a selection of continental wheat beers so they will keep me happy for a few hours on Xmas day. Makes a change from the Badger/Shepherd Neame/Wychwood box sets that I normally get!

aleandhearty

20-12-2011, 12:43

Makes a change from the Badger/Shepherd Neame/Wychwood box sets that I normally get!

Every year my local Asda stocks up on beers like this for Christmas. They sit on the shelves for months afterwards until they're heavily discounted in Feb / March. Choice of other beers remains restricted until they've gone, in an attempt to make you buy them. :moremad: Bah! Humbug.

ROBCamra

24-12-2011, 11:01

Just have to see what happens next week. :(

Well it wasn't too bad really.

The Baum was packed, but then again it is every Friday night.

The Regal Moon was fairly full but we ended up getting some seats away from the main mayhem and had several drinks there finishing off with an Elland 1872 Porter which is never a bad thing.

Merry Christmas to you all. :cheers:

Crossste

25-12-2011, 07:49

I am now 49 years old and been drinking in pubs since 1978.

Bloody newcomers.:)

Merry Christmas all.

NickDavies

19-03-2012, 10:57

Paddy's day back to back with Mother's day. Pity the poor bar staff: no time to recover from a night of kids overdosing on black beer, running around screaming and shouting and throwing up before embarking on a lunchtime of kids overdosing on blackcurrant, running around screaming and shouting and throwing up.

Strongers

19-03-2012, 12:10

Farway

19-03-2012, 15:56

Mothering Sunday, have to agree

My "new" local [old one is to be a Tesco] told me they had 270 "covers" yesterday. Luckily I was there before noon and had escaped before the noon day gun

NickDavies

30-10-2012, 20:03

Here we go again. Hallowe'en is creeping up on Paddy's Day for irritatingness. Our local chain pub is decked out with bits of old net curtain made out to be cobwebs and the poor bar staff have been told to look even more horrific than George Osborne. Being half-term it will be full of pissed sixth-formers and all the regulars will go home early.

Quinno

30-10-2012, 22:03

Aqualung

30-10-2012, 23:15

One pub I' have been in this weekend just gone had two little scrotes coming in begging for money before they were seen off. However in that time they must have amassed a few quid. Why anyone is stupid enough to cough up is beyond me.

I would like to know why the stupid Halloween has completely replaced the Bonfire Night celebration from my childhood.
I suspect the loathsome USA is to blame. As a child Halloween wasn't even in my radar.

Bonfire Night is a celebration of the failure of the Gunpowder Plot, so is almost certainly politically inspired by the Protestants in charge at the time. Is it a political correctness issue? Anyone who has been to the Lewes bonfire celebration will get what I'm saying.

I believe that the 31st of October is a Pagan / Occult date as is the 30th of April. Why have we allowed in a Christian country (and I'm in no way a believer) this rubbish from the USA to dominate our media and retail outlets?

Mobyduck

31-10-2012, 05:45

I believe that the 31st of October is a Pagan / Occult date as is the 30th of April. Why have we allowed in a Christian country (and I'm in no way a believer) this rubbish from the USA to dominate our media and retail outlets?
Sadly ££££££££ $$$$$$$$$.

hondo

31-10-2012, 06:36

One pub I' have been in this weekend just gone had two little scrotes coming in begging for money before they were seen off. However in that time they must have amassed a few quid. Why anyone is stupid enough to cough up is beyond me.

"adults drop-off gangs of children in the Mathew St area of the city"
http://www.clickliverpool.com/news/local-news/1217551-childreen-as-young-as-three-forced-to-beg-in-liverpool-pubs.html

ETA

31-10-2012, 06:41

Al 10000

31-10-2012, 16:19

I would like to know why the stupid Halloween has completely replaced the Bonfire Night celebration from my childhood.
I suspect the loathsome USA is to blame. As a child Halloween wasn't even in my radar.

I agree with you on that,i car'nt stand halloween because of where it has come from,i also think the PC brigade now call Bonfire night fireworks night probably because lighting bonfires is now classed as dangerous.

On another note about the PC lot i laughed when watching BBCs the One Show,they were wearing safety glasses while trying to burst balloons with a whip.

NickDavies

02-12-2012, 16:54

Three full weeks of once a year drinkers coming up. Anyone betting on spotting the first train/tube/tram puker of the season? I reckon odds-on for a sighting by middle of next week.

Aqualung

02-12-2012, 22:22

Things are already getting bad, the quiet back bar of the William IV was taken over for a Xmas party last night meaning I had to endure the vile big screen and footbore in the main bar. The Xmas party was downright weird, they seemed to regularily stand up from their tables and start clapping, it was a bit like the final episode of The Prisoner (younger readers and some older ones won't have a clue what I'm on about!).

To make matters worse the hated big screen was moved aside so that a congenital idiot aka a "DJ" could start irritating me. This clown, not content with just playing rubbish records decided that he thought he could sing and proceded to commit Karaoke murders on Elton John's "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me" and Snow Patrol's "Run", which to me is one of the finest songs of this century.

I had an extra pint of Big Mofo Stout hoping it would make it all go away but it didn't, so I left and went home to watch the final of I'm a Celebrity!!!

I also noticed a Pavement Pizza at Walthamstow Bus Station, so do I win the prize???

Farway

03-12-2012, 12:47

And how long before the Santa hat / reindeer antlers appear?

NickDavies

03-12-2012, 14:49

Spotted the week before last in here (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/23287/)

Alesonly

03-12-2012, 22:58

Three full weeks of once a year drinkers coming up. Anyone betting on spotting the first train/tube/tram puker of the season? I reckon odds-on for a sighting by middle of next week.

Already seen loads as I work on the railway its a regular Thursday Friday Saturday night feature. Its very unusual NOT to have to call a cleaner for someone having a P155 up the wall or pavement pizzas on the platforms & Stairs you would be surprised what we see on the CCTV at weekends. Its just this time of year it becomes a every day occurrence. Sunday throw to Saturday.