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I know there's already an article on this web site that deals with dress code in bars and clubs but I think there are some other annoying features about these kinds of places the really needs to be pointed out before we all end up bankrupt.
I'm talking about beer here, although not necessarily just ales and lagers because it applies to pretty much anything you might buy at the bar. My problem is with the hiked up prices that we pay just for the privilege (if you can call it that) of drinking somewhere a bit more trendy and sociable with a dance floor.
A buzzing atmosphere?
One particular occasion when I decided to visit one of these establishments sticks out in my mind right now. I had been having a drink with friends in a J.D. Wetherspoon pub, which was nice enough on its own and it had quite a buzzing atmosphere. The bottled lager I was drinking here cost 99 pence a bottle, which was very cheap because there was some promotion or other on; however the normal price of the same bottle at this place is £1.29 which is still pretty good anyway!
Somewhere along the line we all decided to go across the street to said trendy pub with dance floor, music and flashing lights that was open a bit later. Luckily I decided to visit the cash machine on the way because the same bottle of beer in this place cost £2.40 a go, which by my calculations is around double what I'd been paying only moments earlier.
Another thing that gets me about these places is the lack of options on "what" to drink. Unless you like alcopops, shorts or second rate lager and bitter your out of luck. Considering the fact that the place I had just came from had a great range of reasonably priced guest ales, you might understand why I was a bit less than overwhelmed with what was on offer!
The bottom line is, what exactly are we paying for? Yes its all very nice to go up market a bit now and then ( if you can call this place up market! ), but does it really justify such a huge price hike and poor choice? Maybe it's the prospect of hoards of party animals banging down the doors to get into the place that has prompted the management to take action, in which case why don't they just charge admission instead?
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Maybe pubs which overcharge will go under in these circumstances.
You'd probably have had to fight your way out if not.
£56 for 8 drinks is £7 each which is roughly double what you'd pay now in m,ost of my local pubs at around £3.20-3.80 per pint. Well guinness and hurlimanns seem near top end of price range now.,
Result: One seriously nicked bully.
There's a meathead baldy no-neck bouncer with tattooed arms like tree trunks and gold chains on the door looking you up and down before deciding if he'll let you in.
The tables are black or chrome and it has low level blue or red lighting.
Or they have a cocktail waitress with a very short skirt and long legs serving you at table.
When the round comes to more than 1 day's wages.
Was the price list clearly displayed? Sufficiently displayed that a person in wheelchair coming to bar could read it without having to stand up?
Did you get a receipt for your purchases?
Was a full range of beer on display, including real ales?
Were the taps/pumps on the bar all chrome-plated?
Was the name of the bar something like "Iguana" or "Oasis"?
Wet your pants and leave instantly.
The round came to about £22.
Some of the girls wanted to go across the road to a place called "the sports bar" in Glasgow.
The same round came to £56.
We simply refused to pay it, placed the drinks back on the bar and turned to leave as the stunned barman just stood there with his mouth open in disbelief.
Fat bouncers tried to stop us.
Big mistake as 3 of the party were Police officers and advised the fat bouncers of the illegality of their attempt to hold us hostage and asked them if they'd like a room booked for them at the local station.
We went back to Wetherspoons as the fat bouncers shouted not to come back "cos yir barred".
Hmmmmmmm at £56 for 8 drinks there wasn't any chance we'd be back.
Nobody is ripped off. There is a choice, and if you choose to go into an expensive upmarket bar you must expect to be charged more for your drink. If you want a pint of Crappo Lager for £1.00 then go to a cheap nasty pub full of boozy yobs wearing Burberry and baseball hats and 'combat' trousers. As Cal du Monde says, the decent places and those who frequent them will survive without you.
If you want a cheap car you don't go to a Ferrari dealer and complain that their prices are a ripoff, or if you do, then you're a complete idiot.
Thirsty