h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Nice to see an article on this subject.

I know, lets take everyone's favourite local pub, totally cock it up and rename it the Flagon and Firkin or something. I'm waiting for the Firkin Shithole to open somewhere as this would by far the most appropriate name. Another franchise that annoys me is the Hogshead pubs. The ones where they brew their own real ales on the premises. That's actually not a bad idea, unfortunately I've yet to come across one where you don't have to spend a morning on the toilet the next day because the beer is so bad it gives you gut rot.

Boycott theme pubs evberywhere!

Here i Bergen/Norway we have a pub called Scuffy Murphy. It looks like a irish pub gone mcDonald - Even the real wood looks plastic!
I shudder each time I pass by.
-B-

What was probably the last "spit and sawdust" style pub in Swansea was re-done a couple of years back. Out went the smoke stained wallpaper and ceiling, out went the worn wood surrounds, out went the grotty wooden floor. In it's place they put - artificially stained wallpaper, nicotine brown paint on the ceiling, and newly-distressed and aged pine on the floors.

Whereas before it had a clientele of locals and people who worked just across the road, it has now become more upmarket, which means you can't get a seat some nights. Still, the beer remains good (Brain's SA)

At least they haven't renamed it to the Frothbox and Firkin yet.
(Any Swansea guys - I'm referring to the Adam and Eve in the High Street)

I hate Firkin Pubs! Bloody Barns! I always feel much better after I say that.
What is this thing about Hogsheads brewing their own beer? Can't say I have ever seen one that did. Perhaps the council is just more strict on breweries up here. There are still a couple of "spit and sawdust" pubs around me, and very nice they are too.

I suppose I ought to say something in favour of Firkins - well, one or two of them anyway...

I vaguely remember not actively having a bad time per se in the Firefly and Firkin in Bournemouth several years ago;
and
the Fitchet and Firkin in Northampton tends (tended?) to have some good local bands playing, if you're looking to listen to rock at volumes not actively preventing all conversation.

Thats yer lot. No, I didn't mention the beer.

BTW - from conversations with a Hogshead barman, t'was claimed that *all* the music is either piped in from head office or is controlled from there, so they have a) no access to the music playing and b) never know which tune is playing anyway. I suspect that the volume control is handled locally, however...

Scary stuff - "Ah, I think we'll have the Tuesday lunchtime (banal drivel) mix on now... Make sure that all the pubs in the country are in synch."

I'm talking about Hogshead pubs I went to in Southampton and London. I assumed the brewing their own beer thing was a gimmick of all Hogsheads, maybe not then. Rest assured, you're merely missing out on pints of brown gunk designed to give you violent food poisoning.
Its a Scream pubs, also suck. What's with these giant Connect Four and Jenga games that seem to be in vogue at the moment? Has anybody ever seen anyone playing them. Personally I'm waiting for giant Buckaroo, then we'll be talking.

Giant Jenga does have a certain something. It is particularly fun to watch someone brain themselves with a tumbling tower of wood. Their bound to be banned soon when someone gets hurt so enjoy them while you can.

Perspective shift - I like *playing* jenga, rather than watching.

It is entertaining to watch people at nearby tables flinch, cower and run as a certain lunatic sets up the Jenga tower to topple in their direction...

Allegedly.

But yes, it is likely to be banned in Tony's caring, sharing, nanny state.

Playing is indeed fun, you just have to watch for blocks in your pint. Less likely to happen if playing Downfall.