Rough pub stories
Discussion
pablo said:
Sterillium said:
I lived opposite the Colosseum for a few years, it was that bad, it was the closest you could get to the city centre without paying £3 a pint so the last stop for most of Bedminster coming into town for the night....
In Bristol:
The Enterprise, Hartcliffe Way, Bedminster. Now demolished but it used to be very rough. Lots of stories but the one that stands out for me is one instance where some bloke smashed another blokes head through a urinal.
The Venture Inn, Melvin Square, Knowle West. Now demolished. Probably the roughest pub I knew of in Bristol. Stories can be found online.
The Maytree, Headley Park. Still going, a poster commented earlier about one of the punters who got knee-capped, that did indeed happen.
The 3 lions, West Street, Bedminster. Still going, most of the trouble seems to be football related, although there was a recent incident of people getting knifed, and I mean properly sliced/slashed in the face and arms. Photos were circulating in whatsapp groups of the victims.
The Elm Tree, Highridge Road, Highridge. Eventually got closed down permanently due to frequent drug use and stabbings, the straw that broke the camels back was in 2018 whereby someone got stabbed right in front of a young child - https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/tr...
I thought it would be demolished and a small plot of houses would've been built, but it recently reopened under a new name - The Tythings. I have yet to venture in there myself.
There are a few more in and around South Bristol I've heard stories about, but I haven't ever been in them to comment. Although on a non-violent but disgusting note, I was once having a few pints with my mates in the Cross Hands, Bedminster Down. sat at the bar. The landlady came storming out of the gents bogs screaming "That's f
king disgusting, someone has taken a st on the floor" never been in there since.
The Enterprise, Hartcliffe Way, Bedminster. Now demolished but it used to be very rough. Lots of stories but the one that stands out for me is one instance where some bloke smashed another blokes head through a urinal.
The Venture Inn, Melvin Square, Knowle West. Now demolished. Probably the roughest pub I knew of in Bristol. Stories can be found online.
The Maytree, Headley Park. Still going, a poster commented earlier about one of the punters who got knee-capped, that did indeed happen.
The 3 lions, West Street, Bedminster. Still going, most of the trouble seems to be football related, although there was a recent incident of people getting knifed, and I mean properly sliced/slashed in the face and arms. Photos were circulating in whatsapp groups of the victims.
The Elm Tree, Highridge Road, Highridge. Eventually got closed down permanently due to frequent drug use and stabbings, the straw that broke the camels back was in 2018 whereby someone got stabbed right in front of a young child - https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/tr...
I thought it would be demolished and a small plot of houses would've been built, but it recently reopened under a new name - The Tythings. I have yet to venture in there myself.
There are a few more in and around South Bristol I've heard stories about, but I haven't ever been in them to comment. Although on a non-violent but disgusting note, I was once having a few pints with my mates in the Cross Hands, Bedminster Down. sat at the bar. The landlady came storming out of the gents bogs screaming "That's f
king disgusting, someone has taken a st on the floor" never been in there since.Alan73 said:
I’m from Grangemouth myself so I know quite a few pubs in that area to avoid if I ever go back to that area which is very unlikely
Lived in Grangemouth too. Many fun nights in the Saturday night bop in the Leapark, Avon Dhu or the Oxgang. None of them rough. As long as you avoided the Dockers' Club.anarki said:
The Maytree, Headley Park. Still going, a poster commented earlier about one of the punters who got knee-capped, that did indeed happen.
Was my local, as in closest pub to my house, for many years. Only went in twice, was never a good atmosphere. Even my dad who was generally drawn to crap pubs only went in a handful of times.anarki said:
The Elm Tree, Highridge Road, Highridge. Eventually got closed down permanently due to frequent drug use and stabbings, the straw that broke the camels back was in 2018 whereby someone got stabbed right in front of a young child - https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/tr...
I thought it would be demolished and a small plot of houses would've been built, but it recently reopened under a new name - The Tythings. I have yet to venture in there myself.
Back in about 1994 I was best man at a wedding that had its reception in a hall in Withywood. After that was all done, a few of us decided The Elm Tree was a great place to finish the evening, dressed in our wedding finery. Got a few suspicious looks but we knew a few of the locals and were left alone to play pool, though just about everyone who came in afterwards stopped, looked at us and did some sort of double-take.I thought it would be demolished and a small plot of houses would've been built, but it recently reopened under a new name - The Tythings. I have yet to venture in there myself.
I used to frequent a working mans pub a few years ago. One of the bosses was a good friend of mine, and none of us were aware that some of the clientele were very racist.
One evening I walked in, gave the familiar bar staff a warm greeting, and threw a tenner behind the bar. That was enough for 4 pints plus a little change for the staff. As I got my second pint, I got a tap on the shoulder. A small angry bald white bloke said "oi mate, we don't do chicken curry in here, fk off"
I thought it was a joke, especially when the bar staff were hovering, so I said "very good, I'm here for a beer and no curry. Got anything else going?"
The dhead got very angry and said "you don't get it. Your type aren't welcome in here. You need to get out before we make you get out."
Before I could say anything, the local giant (there's always one!) heaved himself over and told the racist tt to get out. I'm short - 5'6" and the EDL guy was a bit shorter than me. The BFG was at least 6'6" and probably about as wide. EDL guy realised he was on a hiding to nothing and fked off sharpish.
As I was friendly with the bar management, before I'd said anything the EDL guy was banned for life (including his family) and the BFG got his tab halved; I paid the other half for him. It was only £25 but every time I see him now he always buys me a beer.
One evening I walked in, gave the familiar bar staff a warm greeting, and threw a tenner behind the bar. That was enough for 4 pints plus a little change for the staff. As I got my second pint, I got a tap on the shoulder. A small angry bald white bloke said "oi mate, we don't do chicken curry in here, f
k off"I thought it was a joke, especially when the bar staff were hovering, so I said "very good, I'm here for a beer and no curry. Got anything else going?"
The d
head got very angry and said "you don't get it. Your type aren't welcome in here. You need to get out before we make you get out."Before I could say anything, the local giant (there's always one!) heaved himself over and told the racist t
t to get out. I'm short - 5'6" and the EDL guy was a bit shorter than me. The BFG was at least 6'6" and probably about as wide. EDL guy realised he was on a hiding to nothing and fked off sharpish.As I was friendly with the bar management, before I'd said anything the EDL guy was banned for life (including his family) and the BFG got his tab halved; I paid the other half for him. It was only £25 but every time I see him now he always buys me a beer.
I remember going to a techno night about 12 years ago in my local student union, was a rougher crowd than normal. Went to the toilet only to find all the urinals full so headed into the cubical. Few seconds later while mid-piss I heard this commotion and banging. Two of the guys at the urinal are having a punch up. The cubicle door was about head height so I was able to look over and see these two steroid enhanced chavs scrapping on the floor. Then I looked across and some other guy in the cubical is looking out over the top. I thought, I can't go out I'll get battered so just waited it out for about 5 minutes. When security came and dragged them out both covered in blood. I walked out and the floor was covered in pound coins and congealed blood.
Few stories my father told me from back in the 70's/ 80's in Belfast. He parked his car on a main road one quiet afternoon and went into the pub to get some change for the parking meter. He was a few steps in the door and from the side out comes this young girl about 15 with a pistol pointing it around the bar in stealthy James Bond fashion. She was on lookout for her accomplice who was making the barman empty the till.
"Get in that corner and don't fking move", he did as he was told. The two then run out and the barman says "You better get the hell outta here they've stuck a bomb under the counter"
My father said he'd never sprinted so fast in his life, he got into the car and drove up the road much to the confusion of my mother. About half a mile up the road he turned back and drove past the bar. The front of which was lying on the pavement and into the road.
Then not so long after that he was in a off licence and some nutcase burst in with a pair of tights on his head demanding money from the till. Guy said ' Turn and face the wall and nobody gets hurt" It was a Friday evening and he'd just been paid and had several hundred quid in his back pocket. He said he just thought about his dinner and was relieved when the robber said " I don't want any of your wallets, just the till"
Always remember " It's better to be a living coward than a dead hero"
Few stories my father told me from back in the 70's/ 80's in Belfast. He parked his car on a main road one quiet afternoon and went into the pub to get some change for the parking meter. He was a few steps in the door and from the side out comes this young girl about 15 with a pistol pointing it around the bar in stealthy James Bond fashion. She was on lookout for her accomplice who was making the barman empty the till.
"Get in that corner and don't f
king move", he did as he was told. The two then run out and the barman says "You better get the hell outta here they've stuck a bomb under the counter"My father said he'd never sprinted so fast in his life, he got into the car and drove up the road much to the confusion of my mother. About half a mile up the road he turned back and drove past the bar. The front of which was lying on the pavement and into the road.
Then not so long after that he was in a off licence and some nutcase burst in with a pair of tights on his head demanding money from the till. Guy said ' Turn and face the wall and nobody gets hurt" It was a Friday evening and he'd just been paid and had several hundred quid in his back pocket. He said he just thought about his dinner and was relieved when the robber said " I don't want any of your wallets, just the till"
Always remember " It's better to be a living coward than a dead hero"
Edited by EarlofDrift on Thursday 9th July 06:02
Not sure if these are rough pub stories but definitely unusual.
Greyhound pub - Sheffield. As a young man in his prime of around 18, me and 2 mates were invited by one of their dads to a ‘gentleman’s evening’
I remember the words ‘if you don’t want to get involved then stand at the back’ being instructed!
I can go into further detail but I’m sure the PHers will be aware of what was about to happen.
(We stood at the back open mouthed at the scenes)
Leamington Spa - pub unknown but on the riverside.
Went as part of a group from college and inside were grizzled old perverts leering at the girls while we sat around sipping pints, after half an hour a local came around selling kittens out of a cardboard box which some of the clientele put in their jackets and took home...
Speed Queen - club night in Leeds. Only went once with my brother in law as a bet to see if we could get in with the strict door policy.
Once inside it was Sodom and Gomorrah for the mainly gay clientele.
The toilets were used as hotel rooms and bodily fluids coated The floor and walls while groans and expletives floated around the air - hideous.
Then we witnessed one chap slipping 2 attractive ladies some pills then escorting them half conscious into a waiting taxi..
Greyhound pub - Sheffield. As a young man in his prime of around 18, me and 2 mates were invited by one of their dads to a ‘gentleman’s evening’
I remember the words ‘if you don’t want to get involved then stand at the back’ being instructed!
I can go into further detail but I’m sure the PHers will be aware of what was about to happen.
(We stood at the back open mouthed at the scenes)
Leamington Spa - pub unknown but on the riverside.
Went as part of a group from college and inside were grizzled old perverts leering at the girls while we sat around sipping pints, after half an hour a local came around selling kittens out of a cardboard box which some of the clientele put in their jackets and took home...
Speed Queen - club night in Leeds. Only went once with my brother in law as a bet to see if we could get in with the strict door policy.
Once inside it was Sodom and Gomorrah for the mainly gay clientele.
The toilets were used as hotel rooms and bodily fluids coated The floor and walls while groans and expletives floated around the air - hideous.
Then we witnessed one chap slipping 2 attractive ladies some pills then escorting them half conscious into a waiting taxi..
PomBstard said:
carreauchompeur said:
skilly1 said:
I’ve always...wondered about that place!Plenty of pubs around Hartcliffe and Withywood were worth avoiding too.
In fact most places in South Bristol. Oh, and anything on/near Stapleton Road.
thole next-door to the Masonic pub in Bedminster, which wasn't so much "rough" as just utterly horrible, tiny and only ever the same three or four old men sat getting wanted all day. The corner shop across the road also sold superpowered scrumpy from a barrel under the counter, but you had to bring your own container... 
The first week I was there, I got caught up in a huge brawl in the Fleece and Firkin down the road, and saw a fella get glassed badly... really badly. Then a short while later, someone was killed in the Hen and Chicken pub down North Street. Lovely place...
1974nc said:
Greyhound pub - Sheffield. As a young man in his prime of around 18, me and 2 mates were invited by one of their dads to a ‘gentleman’s evening’
I remember the words ‘if you don’t want to get involved then stand at the back’ being instructed!
I can go into further detail but I’m sure the PHers will be aware of what was about to happen.
(We stood at the back open mouthed at the scenes)
Ok, I'll bite - what happened?I remember the words ‘if you don’t want to get involved then stand at the back’ being instructed!
I can go into further detail but I’m sure the PHers will be aware of what was about to happen.
(We stood at the back open mouthed at the scenes)
Second Best said:
I used to frequent a working mans pub a few years ago. One of the bosses was a good friend of mine, and none of us were aware that some of the clientele were very racist.
One evening I walked in, gave the familiar bar staff a warm greeting, and threw a tenner behind the bar. That was enough for 4 pints plus a little change for the staff. As I got my second pint, I got a tap on the shoulder. A small angry bald white bloke said "oi mate, we don't do chicken curry in here, fk off"
I thought it was a joke, especially when the bar staff were hovering, so I said "very good, I'm here for a beer and no curry. Got anything else going?"
The dhead got very angry and said "you don't get it. Your type aren't welcome in here. You need to get out before we make you get out."
Before I could say anything, the local giant (there's always one!) heaved himself over and told the racist tt to get out. I'm short - 5'6" and the EDL guy was a bit shorter than me. The BFG was at least 6'6" and probably about as wide. EDL guy realised he was on a hiding to nothing and fked off sharpish.
As I was friendly with the bar management, before I'd said anything the EDL guy was banned for life (including his family) and the BFG got his tab halved; I paid the other half for him. It was only £25 but every time I see him now he always buys me a beer.
I love the concept of "hard men" defending their territory of a sOne evening I walked in, gave the familiar bar staff a warm greeting, and threw a tenner behind the bar. That was enough for 4 pints plus a little change for the staff. As I got my second pint, I got a tap on the shoulder. A small angry bald white bloke said "oi mate, we don't do chicken curry in here, f
k off"I thought it was a joke, especially when the bar staff were hovering, so I said "very good, I'm here for a beer and no curry. Got anything else going?"
The d
head got very angry and said "you don't get it. Your type aren't welcome in here. You need to get out before we make you get out."Before I could say anything, the local giant (there's always one!) heaved himself over and told the racist t
t to get out. I'm short - 5'6" and the EDL guy was a bit shorter than me. The BFG was at least 6'6" and probably about as wide. EDL guy realised he was on a hiding to nothing and fked off sharpish.As I was friendly with the bar management, before I'd said anything the EDL guy was banned for life (including his family) and the BFG got his tab halved; I paid the other half for him. It was only £25 but every time I see him now he always buys me a beer.
tty pub, its a bit like a neglected Staffy defending its turd strewn backyard and piss soaked matress, welcome to it mate !My local can get a bit lairy from time to time considering its location, the landlord got his jaw broken a few months back, have seen the odd fight, police van there the other night on the first night it was open again, not horrendous like some of these but way more threatening sometimes than I ever expected.
I picked up the wrong pint and swigged it once, a very drunk bloke got really arsey and offered me out, strange as he quite a bit older, half my size and utterly mullered, was a bit like the Wealdstone Raider. I just said if we did come to blows, the Police would be called, we would get arrested and barred, i would have bought him another pint but last orders had been called, strange reaction over an inch of tepid lager.
I walked into a pub in a little village near Leicester ages, no idea of the name now as it was a long time ago. Anyway walked in and saw the local yokels playing pool, all looked rough as fk and one had his shirt off for some reason which is a bit odd in a pub. As soon as they saw me they all stopped what they were doing and started staring at me. The one that was holding the cue stared at me angrily and started whipping the cue behind his back and around like it was a nunchuka or something. I carried on walking to the exit and walked straight out, didn’t even change my pace.
k and one had his shirt off for some reason which is a bit odd in a pub. As soon as they saw me they all stopped what they were doing and started staring at me. The one that was holding the cue stared at me angrily and started whipping the cue behind his back and around like it was a nunchuka or something. I carried on walking to the exit and walked straight out, didn’t even change my pace. Second Best
Not a pub,,and not really rough, but a CIU place, as it has closed down years ago and this was back in 1967 i think i can safely name it It was the Tottenham Liberal and Radical Club, just down the High Street from White Hart Lane We had attended a few 'smoking concerts' The ones where there were three crates of light ale stacked on the table and a glass each type of thing, The beer was cheap and grub was good. My mates dad was a member and offered to get us in, as we had just formed a football team and needed a nice location to meet during the week.
So all the applications went in and 14 of us rocked up for the 'interview' with the committee. It was all going well until one of the blokes
nudged to chairman and mentioned the decor and said we like it as it is. So we are looking all around the room and saying how nice the wallpaper was and we didn't fancy re doing it. The look we got was pure daggers, and he repeated it, and then said 'As is normal it will be put to the membership and we will let you know'
As we were walking out chucking about the crappy wallpaper and even worse carpet, it dawned on me, In the team we had a Greek Lad and a guy from Ceylon. I mentioned it to the Captain and he went straight back in kicking the committee room doors nearly off the hinges like a gunfighter with us all behind, and told them to stick our applications up their arses. Just got a look from the Polit Bureau like' We dont care ,we like it as it is'.WE had to hold him back ,he would have had all seven of them.
Never set foot in there again. racist buggers. My mates dad threw his card in as did several of his mates and he really had a go at them but it made no difference...... arrogant bds. The trouble is, it is going to take a long time for that attitude to to die, it will be handed down like the family silver!!
Not a pub,,and not really rough, but a CIU place, as it has closed down years ago and this was back in 1967 i think i can safely name it It was the Tottenham Liberal and Radical Club, just down the High Street from White Hart Lane We had attended a few 'smoking concerts' The ones where there were three crates of light ale stacked on the table and a glass each type of thing, The beer was cheap and grub was good. My mates dad was a member and offered to get us in, as we had just formed a football team and needed a nice location to meet during the week.
So all the applications went in and 14 of us rocked up for the 'interview' with the committee. It was all going well until one of the blokes
nudged to chairman and mentioned the decor and said we like it as it is. So we are looking all around the room and saying how nice the wallpaper was and we didn't fancy re doing it. The look we got was pure daggers, and he repeated it, and then said 'As is normal it will be put to the membership and we will let you know'
As we were walking out chucking about the crappy wallpaper and even worse carpet, it dawned on me, In the team we had a Greek Lad and a guy from Ceylon. I mentioned it to the Captain and he went straight back in kicking the committee room doors nearly off the hinges like a gunfighter with us all behind, and told them to stick our applications up their arses. Just got a look from the Polit Bureau like' We dont care ,we like it as it is'.WE had to hold him back ,he would have had all seven of them.
Never set foot in there again. racist buggers. My mates dad threw his card in as did several of his mates and he really had a go at them but it made no difference...... arrogant b
ds. The trouble is, it is going to take a long time for that attitude to to die, it will be handed down like the family silver!!RammyMP said:
MC Bodge said:
littlebasher said:
Where is this architectural wonder?
I can almost smell what it would be like inside.
thole, we used to win the quiz every Sunday night to piss the locals off. How we never got our head kicked in I don’t know!£1.05 a pint of trophy bitter, ahh, happy days!
Fittster said:
Queen Inn, Primrose Hill Street, Coventry
Primrose Hill in Cov isn't quite as nice the one in London.
Watching a couple of locals leave their pints, pick up a baseball bats they had in a large sports bag, beat the hell out of someone walking up the hill (they were watching the street). After which they return to the pub and continued drinking, telling me I hadn't seen anything and should leave now. I didn't need telling twice.
That's where The Tic Toc Club used to be, yes? Hillfields? Primrose Hill in Cov isn't quite as nice the one in London.
Watching a couple of locals leave their pints, pick up a baseball bats they had in a large sports bag, beat the hell out of someone walking up the hill (they were watching the street). After which they return to the pub and continued drinking, telling me I hadn't seen anything and should leave now. I didn't need telling twice.
I've only had one night out in Coventry, ever. In the early 90's my elder brother and I drove from our home in the leafy affluent suburb of Sutton Coldfield to see Manc indie band The Mock Turtles play at the Tic Toc.
I was aware from 'Midlands Today' that Hillfields was a bit of a shady area, but didn't appreciate that we were heading into bandit country. We went in my Cal Look '69 VW Fastback, a nice custom looking motor that was the apple of my eye.
We located the club, parked up on an adjacent side street, engine still on, got a sense of dread eyeballing the tower block at the top of the road. As I was ruminating on whether it would be safe to park there, there is a knock on my window, Coventry's baddest wannabe bad boy gangsta, looking like Ali G before he was a thing, says to me:
Ali G: "Whaddya want?"
Me (naively, politely): "Err, nothing thanks, just parking for the gig. Is it OK here?"
Ali G: (immediately enraged) "WHAT YOU FINK YOU IZ DOING PARKIN ON MI TURF YOU PRICK!?"
He had by this point stepped back a few feet from my car, I could tell he was shaping for a move to take a running step/jump and kick my door in. My lovely shiny new, freshly custom painted door.
Fortunately the 19yo me had fitted twin Dellorto carbs and a 1641cc lump, so my car might've been old but it was no slouch. I gassed it, dumped the clutch and sped away, leaving Ali G to fall into the road on his arse, as my bro and I sped away, half laughing, half terrified.
We went and found an NCP some distance away, walking back to the venue, really hoping not to get stabbed.
Great gig though, the Mock Turtles were on fire that night.
EDIT: Just taken a tour down there on Google Maps, gave me a cold shiver!
Edited by PurpleTurtle on Thursday 9th July 12:58
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