For the first time in ages I have a burning desire to post, to record the thoughts that are in my mind right now because they are an important part of my story.
Last night I closed at midnight, it wasn’t particularly busy but it was a nice crowd and it seemed fair to allow them to stay. When I finally closed and locked the doors it was with a happy smile, it was one of those days where the pub was what I want the pub to be.
I was brought up in the Eighties and this trade was all about shaking, what was then, small change out of punters pockets and buying a new Jag, I trust that we all appreciate that those days are gone. My great friends Andrew and Helen helped me to see that the community pub works it’s just what we do because we are here for the community not the other way around. When people ask me would I rather be somewhere else or would I rather be as ‘busy as’ I always answer that I am happy here and hey I am not as young as I once was!
During the course yesterday I helped persuade an inebriated person that it was better to leave and return than stay until air-dried following a washroom accident. I discussed various local issues with people and talked about people’s days and how/where/if they had watched the round the island race. Occasionally I allowed the Juke box volume to creep up for a song or two, quietly comfortable that music was popular with all in the pub.
I petted some dogs, gave some tourist advice and humbly accepted praise on behalf of the pub. I introduced some less educated palates to my selection of premium spirits and explained the relationship between cost of production and cost to purchase; this drives me to less known brands which don’t have the budget for heavy promotion.
This is what the pub is about for me. Sure a pub full of youngsters and loud music can be a commercial success but it is not somewhere that I would like to drink. Don’t misunderstand me, as much as this is my house, I am not a fan of all of the music, all of the people or all of their ways but in general this is a place that makes me feel comfortable even if I were a stranger. You can keep the party pubs, the drunken lunacy and the hard work I’d rather have a chat in my house over a beer. It is only when you talk to people that you hear such lines as “I am going to a party with my dance class, its Disney themed ” and, because you know said class is pole dancing, spend the rest of the day confused.