There was that book, 'The Rough Pub Guide'. It wasn't really consistent though, it had some pubs that could be considered 'edgy' I suppose, but there was a liberal sprinkling of traditional boozers that would never be called rough, like the Briton's Protection in Manchester, for example. They were confusing 'ungentrified' with 'rough' I think. There was a programme about 10 years ago that was closer to the mark. New Penny Farthing, Liverpool anyone?
Probably confusing rough with urban charm.
"Everybody's got to believe in something. I believe I'll have another beer."
-W.C.Fields