Another top notch old school boozer down the pan

[malumbu]

Three pubs that did good business and were in prime locations - the Rye Hotel, the Dulwich Woodhouse, The Greyhound.

But the powers that be decided they could do even more business by becoming restaurants/hotels. And two of them changing names.

There is sweet FA to include value to the community. Too late in ED.

Thank fac the last lot came up with ACVs. The Big Society thing is a sham (either it was happening already or it woudl never happen). But let's recognise some good things that came out of it.

Irony that the Ivy was asved by a mainly group of middle aged people who recognised its value but in part no doubt to keep afloat it attracts hipsters from miles around. Good timing though looking at the rate of gentrification.

My fave pub in central London, the Speaker, has a sign up saying if you are on your phone you wont get served. Nice one. http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs/s/18/1898/Speaker/Westminster

[malumbu]

Ivy is a relatively unspoiled mid 20th century pub with a stage. It's lost it's billiad tables, and needs the fourth bar reinstating. Most of the interior is still the same, and most importantly it has full height urinals. It has been rebuilt and remodelled many times no doubt. It's even lost its original name.

It is not a Dickensian coaching inn, early Vicotorian, high Victorian, Gin Palace, Edwardian, back room with a hatch, etc etc boozer. But what is not traditional? Oh it isn't frequented by middle aged men desparate to get away from the missis, it has too many beers, it certainly has too many fancy beers, it doesn't do pickled eggs etc etc. But my view of an earlier 70s pub clientele wouldn't be very successful today.

You are welcome to your SE22 pubs. Good luck.

[BrandNewGuy]

I've always been fond of Orwell's perfect (and therefore non-existent) pub, The Moon Under Water, as described in this essay more than 70 years ago:

http://theorwellprize.co.uk/george-orwell/by-orwell/essays-and-other-works/the-moon-under-water/

Much as I lament the demise of the 'old school' boozer, I'd prefer Orwell's pub ? with the perhaps surprising inclusion of the provision of lunches and a garden at the back for kids to play in. Perhaps many of Orwell's generation lamented the loss of their own 'old school' boozers in the 70s and 80s.

In reality, it's the closure of pubs that is the real tragedy, but as long as they survive, they can change - for better or worse.