This week hasn’t been my best. On Monday I had high hopes of accomplishing a few goals. Then life happened. All week I could barely keep my head above water. This had to done. That needed my attention. Don’t forget to take the dog out. The cat wants fed. Did I brush the dog’s teeth? Simply put, my goals were put on hold. Folks, I am super happy today is Friday. I need a drink.
Today’s pub, located in West Brompton, won’t win many awards. The interior is run down. Don’t think of using a credit card—cash only. The bartender, while professional isn’t an overly chatty type. At least with us. I saw him talk with the regulars. To be blunt, this is a dive. And the better half and I love finding places like this. Oh don’t get me wrong, quaint traditional pubs are fantastic and a treat to visit. But I also like a place that has character. The patrons of this joint make it an interesting place to visit.
We’ve been twice now. Each time we stayed long enough for one drink. Not sure I would stay longer. The first visit occurred between Christmas and New Years. It was pretty dead inside. Two gals sat at a table. We grabbed our drinks from the non-talkative bartender and headed for a table. One of the ladies said, “Don’t be shy, just push your way through the crowd.” I had to chuckle. Then I made the mistake of heading to the men’s toilet and the other gal said, “Wrong door unless you want another gift from Santa.”
The second night we went there we didn’t intend to pop in. But the weather was freezing and I needed to warm up some on the way home. Several drunks hovered around the bar involved in a lively conversation. I think they were the only ones who knew what they were talking about. Another chap was singing along to the radio. He was horrible. Dreadful really. However, I found it entertaining. We had one drink. When one of drunks staggered over to us to chat we decided it was time to brave the cold again. He was nice, but I wasn’t in the mood to get sucked into a conversation that was pointless. And he looked like he was going to topple over.
While I liked this place, it won’t be our regular place. It’s fun to stop by for a quick drink. If you have children with you, I would not suggest this place. If you are on a date, skip it. First date—don’t even think about it. With your parents—don’t suggest it. However, if you want to get a taste of the place and meet some interesting characters you may like it. Be ready to make a quick getaway in case things get out of hand. Overall I have to give this pub 2.5 stars.
I only snapped one photo since there isn’t too much to see.
50 Year Project 
Interesting. I know it’s only 1 snap shot, but it looks like most of the bars I’ve been in here in NM (USA). Sounds like most of them too. Over worked bartender is professional, but not particularly happy to be awake and working, plenty of drunks, mostly friendly. Unmarked or unisex bathrooms. Yep.
It did remind of some of the dive bars I’ve been to in the States. I should have mentioned the bathroom was marked, I apparently don’t know how to read after a beer. And yes, the drunks were friendly. If they weren’t I wouldn’t have mentioned this place at all.
Your last paragraph made me giggle!
I wanted to be clear. It’s a fun place, but not for every one and for all occasions. But I got a kick out of it 🙂
I like your sense of humor.
That place is flooded with light. For some reason I thought bars would be more…cosy? This goes to show my extensive experience with bars, eh?
Some of the pubs are extremely dark and when the sun goes down you can’t read a book. Winter killed my desire to read Dickens in pubs. My eyes hurt after ten minutes. Most of his books have tiny print and then little light–got to be too much. Not sure I would want to hang out in this one to read.
You’re a braver woman than I am. i would have been out of there in seconds!
LOL…I love to people watch. And I learned a few things. Can’t repeat those things here though.
I love to people watch but . . .
Love dives, but it’s true, you have to be ready to dodge if it gets tricky. Make sure you’re wearing trainers! 🙂
Trainers are a must!
I am going to be 23 in April! I have never been out. I have been wanting to go, but always push it off 🙂 I’m pretty sure this will be my year though!
Those comments from the ladies made me laugh!
I laughed and blushed some.
I would be afraid of the police coming in this kind of place and arresting everyone 🙂
That’s a good point
You could write a story about what goes on in a pub. The characters are lined up and ready to go. A soap in the making. 🙂
They really are characters there. Maybe next time I’ll take a small notebook and jot down some notes.
If I were there with you, I would raise my glass of beer and say, “here’s to your weekend making up for the week that didn’t live up to expectations”. Have a good one my friend :). I intend to have a very relaxing weekend myself because work was busy as hell this week, and my brain is fried. I’m thinking a whole bunch of reading curled up on the couch is in order!!
I curled up on the couch as well this weekend. Pretty cold outside and we actually had some snow. It was a great weekend to stay in and relax. Hope you had a good one.
It was perfection – minimal chores and reading, reading, reading!! I finished a whole book and started another, plus I edited some photos and watched some of my favourite shows on Sunday night. Glad yours was great too 🙂
I have a feeling your definition of minimal chores is much different from mine.
LOL!! You know me so well :). I vacuumed, did dishes, about 6 loads of laundry, cleaned the bathroom, and caught up on my banking. Is that not minimal?? LOL
I’m sorry, I’m too tired reading about all you did…that is not minimal in my book. For me, minimal is placing my dirty dishes on the coffee table instead of on the floor. I hate stepping on dishes 🙂
Awww poor TBM. You’d better lay down and take the day off since I have tired you out so much LOL!!! You crack me up :).
So if you come to England, we’ll have to meet in a pub. No way am I showing you my flat. Too stressful!
….but I thought I was going to help you organize it :).
I think the pub sounds better and a lot less prep work for me. And then we can sightsee
Ok, sounds good to me 🙂
Sorry your week didn’t go as planned, and the weekend got here just in time. 🙂
Mmm, not sure this looks too inviting… not to mention your comment about being reading to make a quick getaway if things get out of hand!!
Hope your week picked up?
Lynn 😀
Weekend was great and now starting a new week. I’m hoping for better. Hope all is well Lynn!
A slice of life. Very nice.
Now see, in my current sci-fi mode, I was picturing a bar filled with the white appendages of Storm Troopers.
I can see that.
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