The tradition of the British pub is one that has endured for centuries – but why is it? What do we love so much about pubs? And what do they offer to our communities that other establishments cannot?
The answer is that pubs are unique in the function that they serve as a venue for socialising. Pubs are where we meet, where we drink, where we eat, where we chat and more – so while there are a number of different types of pubs out there, there is almost certainly one that will fit in with what you are feeling in any given moment.
What Makes a Great Pub?
The best pubs, and the ones that survive the test of time and a constantly evolving culture, are those that have a broad appeal and meet a number of our needs at once. A great pub is a place where you can feel as comfortable sharing stories with friends over a drink in the evening as you can enjoy a meal with your family at lunchtime.
Why is Pub Grub so Good?
As a nation we flock to the pub to enjoy the food on offer every day – despite the fact that there are a wide range of dedicated eating establishments out their where we could go instead. So what is behind our national love affair with pub grub? A number of elements seem to contribute to our enjoyment of eating in this environment, for example:
- Social Setting – a pub is a place where we can relax and be ourselves. While some of us feel that the more formal setting of a restaurant can be stifling, pub goers know that enjoying a meal in their favourite watering hole will be a great social experience – where no one will turn their heads if we laugh too loud or knock our drink over.
- Good Honest Food – there’s nothing too fancy about pub grub – we know what we are getting when we order with no scary surprises. Chains like Toby Carvery thrive on people’s desire for the familiar – providing traditional roast meals on a daily basis, while even the much vaunted gastro-pub is careful to keep their menu user friendly in order not to cross the boundaries of the pub-food format.
- Value for Money – when we buy pub food, we know that we are paying for what we eat, not for how fancy our chairs are or how sophisticated the smellies are in the wash rooms. People choose pub food because they want a great meal in comfortable surrounding – they are not looking for a new or exciting experience.
Best UK Pubs
The UK is full of great pubs with wonderful character offering good food at great value. Depending on your tastes you can choose from a range of chain pubs such as Wetherspoons, Hungry Horse and Brewers Fayre, all of whom offer a great selection of pub grub or opt to explore some of the exciting independent freehouse options out there, a quick search for dining pubs online will reveal those that offer moreish menus.