British pubs for sociologists

You're going to be really upset then: JDW have announced a move toward music in more pubs, driven by its success in Lloyds No1 outlets.

I've taken advantage of many JDW smoke free areas, only one (The Imperial in Exeter) was actually smoke free. Smoke free areas are a cruel joke in almost all cases ;(

Different strokes for different folks, but the atmosphere of a pub is as important as the pints they serve.

The Wetherspoons in Islington is usually full of old men muttering to themselves before shuffling off with their plastic bags. The patrons of the wetherspoons in Camden is a veritable whos-who of mental illness and the wetherspoons in Farringdon is where people go before commiting suicide from boredom. If you've found a wetherspoons to your liking then congratulations. But would you really recommend one of them to a tourist who's interested in experiencing 'a London pub'?

Well, I won't go to them, then.

The ones I've been in were well-ventilated, and in some cases, completely cut off from smoking areas.

David

I'd recommend a few of them to London tourists who wanted to see architectually/historically interesting buildings.

Knights Templar and Crosse Keys are both fantastic historical conversions, while the Printworks in Farringdon is also pretty impressive for very different reasons.

Any of the converted cinemas/theatres are impressive too.

BTN

On us smokers undoubtedly. No smoking at the bar. I must loan my cigar when I approach the bar for drinks with the obscure ruling. Dave

Oh, my heart bleeds for you.

David

Now, if it was the Uxbridge one, that could be me!

Depends how well I know the area, and what I know about it. Generally they're a safe bet in a strange place. I would certainly recommend, say, the one in Broad Street, Birmingham, over the nearby "yoof" venues.

Alan Harrison

It is one of the many sacrifices one must make in pursuit of the perfect evening. Mind you , not many perfect evenings have included JDW. Either traditional pubs or Piano and Pitcher bars with the mandatory doubles are my drinking holes of choice.

JDW does exactly what it says on the tin. Dave

let me clear away the obscurity - the 'no smoking at the bar rule' is for the benefit of those working behind the bar - they are at work & should not have to spend an 8-12hr shift breathing in dense tobacco smoke (pub co.s seem to be enforcing it - whether out of obedience to law, to protect their staff, or to avoid future lawsuits, I'm not sure)

incidentally IIRC ireland's smoking ban was brought in mainly on the same grounds - to protecting workers, not customers. MikeMcG

Ireland's ban isn't in yet (1 Jan 2004) but is much more sweeping: no smoking in any indoor workplace, no exceptions. You can't even smoke in your hotel room, and unless they allow a specific exemption, nor in your prison cell.

The "hospitality" industry is up in arms, but polls show support for the move. I'm delighted, because cigarette smoke really takes the edge off my enjoyment of a few pints. I just hope that the minister who has the balls to push the measure through also has the balls to enforce it.

Brendan

You used to be a telegrapher, right?

Following up to Samantha Hall

Don't be so hard on yourself with your sig file, "Sam" would be fine.