[Drinking] Pubs that have gone downhill

[Weststander]

Gawd, how could I forget the Richmond and Sister Rays - The Richmond wasn’t my favourite venue though for some reason (was it the sound) but it was a good size venue. Maybe before your time but there was a small music venue at the bottom of West Street too that was popular with some of the local music promoters - I cant remember the name of it - on google earth, it looks like its been gutted and the name changed to ‘Lazer Zone’ - saw some great bands there in the 80s.

We could add the Alhambra of course to your list - again a great underground venue (literally) for up and coming punk bands of the late 70s.

The New Regent. An amazing small venue, had some great nights there.
https://www.setlist.fm/venue/the-new-regent-brighton-england-3d3713b.html

 

[Zeberdi]

The New Regent. An amazing small venue, had some great nights there.
https://www.setlist.fm/venue/the-new-regent-brighton-england-3d3713b.html

That’s the one! Geez my memory is so shite - I was there at least once a week - beer, bar room fights, run down decor, dressing room fights, punk bands too pissed to play and some great bands to boot. Wow - scenes of a misspent youth all coming back. The Fall, Aztec Camera, Peter and The Test Tubes, U2 friggin amazin times.

 

[Peacehaven Wild Kids]

in the 90s I used to live around the corner from The Gardners Arms in Portslade, Went in there about a year ago for old times sake, it had totally changed and didn’t really look like a pub at all, I asked the bar staff for a pint of lager and they just pointed to a fridge implying I served myself. Although the price of £1.29 was ok, when I cracked it open and propped up the bar they told me I had to take it outside despite the fact it was raining

 

[Weststander]

That’s the one! Geez my memory is so shite - I was there at least once a week - beer, bar room fights, run down decor, dressing room fights, punk bands too pissed to play and some great bands to boot. Wow - scenes of a misspent youth all coming back. The Fall, Aztec Camera, Peter and The Test Tubes, U2 friggin amazin times.

There’s a NSC’er who was a barman there.

 

[Guinness Boy]

in the 90s I used to live around the corner from The Gardners Arms in Portslade, Went in there about a year ago for old times sake, it had totally changed and didn’t really look like a pub at all, I asked the bar staff for a pint of lager and they just pointed to a fridge implying I served myself. Although the price of £1.29 was ok, when I cracked it open and propped up the bar they told me I had to take it outside despite the fact it was raining

Now there was a pub that went downhill - if that was even possible. A kindly but daft mate of mine who lived near there invited a few locals back to his when he was quite smashed. Woke up the next morning to find various things missing. Luckily, not body parts but I wouldn't even have discounted that.

Perhaps it was a new barmaid, but she genuinely didn't know what real ale is. I had to point at the pumps and say 'its what comes out of those'.

Quite possibly. I've seen this sort of thing in a few London boozers when I've been for a pint after work. Just the other day was in the 'Spoons above Baker St tube and I had to tell the barmaid where the Jaipur was and what it was. There's been a huge staff turnover in the pub and restaurant sector since Covid and now the recession and there are fewer people willing to do it since you-know-what. I'd have a bit of patience and maybe try places a second time unless you've been completely ripped off. They all need our help and I for one am prepared to do my bit

Incidentally, my user name comes from the old Withdean days. A huge group of us used to meet in the Welly before the game and get cabs to Withdean at 2.30. In those days the Extra Cold Guinness was the only decent beer in the boozer in my opinion - hence my sobriquet.

 

[Cowfold Seagull]

Not sure why pubs can get away with charging what they like for Neck Oil

They get away with it, because obviously punters are prepared to pay it!

 

[sparkie]

All pubs have a limited shelf life - usually until a top landlord moves on.

Some get better, some worse, few stay the same.

 

[zefarelly]

The best of the ‘older’ Brighton music scene was up in the Greys the 90s, either drinking or playing there when not gigging elsewhere.

Of course that’s years after the much earlier local music scene I was into at Varndean 6th - that included Baz Clifton & The Sliding Wardrobes in the late 70s. Later, Peter & The Test Tube Babies (great band) of course Boring Bob Grover and the Piranhas often seen frequenting the London Unity in Islingword Road which sadly has closed down. Then there was the more arty punk band, Birds With Ears with Ian Smith who played at the Zap Club and the other trendy performance artsy type venues of the 80s… god I miss the whole shebang of the 70s, 80s and 90s Brighton pub venue music scene - even slopping my beer all over the floor - with my ear inside a stack speaker at the Hungry Years head banging to Steppenwolf and Led Zep.

Everything’s gone downhill- all of it.

Gonna see what I can find on YT now,

I must be a bit younger as Richmond mid 80's, Jon Otway was the forst Btmn gig I remember, but we played there '90, and up until it closed, as well as the Race Hill, Free Butt, Beachcomber,Zap, Btn Uni and others I've long forgotten.

As an aside, I played in a band with Ogs (P&TTB's) a little while back, lovely guy and a god drummer too.

 

[zefarelly]

All pubs have a limited shelf life - usually until a top landlord moves on.

Some get better, some worse, few stay the same.

True dat.

 

[Papak]

They get away with it, because obviously punters are prepared to pay it!

I imagine most (including myself here) just ask for what they see and like the look of as you approach the bar. I couldn't imagine asking for the prices before ordering, it's usually on my way back to my seat I realise I've been had!

 

[Official Old Man]

A word about the Black Horse in Lewes, a Greene King pub. Pre smoking ban I popped in and was met by a bunch of guys who instantly started chatting and helped my beer choice. A real 'locals' pub that we stopped off at quite a lot. Then the smoking ban came in and it died. New landlord had great ideas about gins, whiskeys and craft beers, loud music and 2 Sky TV's along with young trendy staff. The 8 real ales went down to a couple but luckily he didn't remove the pumps. But that failed and the pub went into further decline. I'd pop in occasionaly and see just a couple of others in. Landlord 3 (or fourth) went back to basics and the good old local. 8 ales, music turned down and the locals started to return. Now when I pop in it is busy but the staff make time to chat, the punters chat and all are made to feel welcome.

 

[Brovion]

Park Crescent is ok, I went in there about 6 months ago, I think there is a young lad as the manager from Newcastle into Ska music and Scooters, nice guy had a long chat with him, never eaten there though any good ?

Can't stand Preston Park Tavern, everything is pretentious in their, the prices, the staff and customers.....

Haven't eaten there myself but my wife has and said it was fine. Nothing pretentious (she just had fish and chips I think), and reasonably priced.

 

[SeagullinExile]

Last night I'd booked a table in the Duke of Wellington, Upper Gloucester Road, to watch Mitro v Brazil with other local Fulham fans. I did this on the basis of going there in the last World Cup and Fulham games when it's been buzzing with good ale and sausages.

It's obviously changed hands as there was no real ale (bar person didn't even know what it is) & seemed populated mainly by leery 20 year olds. £6.65 for a pint of Beavertown Neck Oil. The highlight was the Mini Cheddars for sale. Luckily we were able to adjourn up the hill to rhe better (still no real ale) Eddy and then the Evening Star for frothing fancies.

What other pubs have gone rapidly downhill in the last few years?

Come down to the Bedford in Dawes Road next time your up watching Fulham!

 

[el punal]

Like 80% of all the pubs in the world has gone downhill because you can't have a cigarette while drinking your beer.

Whoa! In my yoof I worked behind the bar in several pubs. I can assure you there should have been a smog alert from the number of customers who lit their own personal bonfires. My clothes and my hair used to stink of fags at the end of every session. So, I am not sorry that smoking has been banned - at least you can now see the other end of the bar!

 

[birthofanorange]

The New Regent. An amazing small venue, had some great nights there.
https://www.setlist.fm/venue/the-new-regent-brighton-england-3d3713b.html

Used to work there - amazing place.

 

[Swansman]

Whoa! In my yoof I worked behind the bar in several pubs. I can assure you there should have been a smog alert from the number of customers who lit their own personal bonfires. My clothes and my hair used to stink of fags at the end of every session. So, I am not sorry that smoking has been banned - at least you can now see the other end of the bar!

I mean if we look at it with any kind of sense... it was obviously a great move for pretty much everyone who goes to a pub... but I'd still like to have a cigarette while drinking my beer indoors.

 

[Whitley Bayster]

I read this thread and thought it was "pubs that have gone in Danehill".... The Crocodile sadly closed in the late 1980s. Had my first pint in there

 

[The Clamp]

Too many pubs in the south have been forced to become family restaurants and have had to abandon the traditional and much loved pub model.

It’s funny, most people are drifting to the areas of gentrification and modernisation. Whereas I crave a simpler existence, a return to core values.
I long to be at least 20 miles from the nearest avocado.

 

[Mellor 3 Ward 4]

I don't rmemebr the Alhambra but if it was the late 70s I am probably a bit young. We also played gigs at the Hare and Hounds, The concord and (weirldy) Helsinkis. Lots more venues I am sure but the memory isn't the best.

A bit after us I saw a few good bands at the Free Butt.

If you are on FB you may be a member of this page https://www.facebook.com/groups/1485750291699467 which is great for nostalgia of Brighton's music scene.

The Richmond in the early 90's was important to me . Both playing and watching. I loved the fact that you could go out in town and be able to watch a band with little or no preparation. Add to that The Underground and Sister Rays and other indie clubs it was a good time to be into music.

And that doesn't even mention the dance music that was going on.

Just give me a time machine and my current understanding of how special those times were.

Slightly OT but pretty sure I saw The Piranhas in the Alhambra, late 70s.

 

[durrington gull]

Not sure why pubs can get away with charging what they like for Neck Oil

Pubs killing themselves with ridiculous prices