tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2542521298906723397.post4606757621434842131..comments2019-09-01T17:27:07.621+01:00Comments on Curmudgeon's "Opening Times" Columns: November 2014Curmudgeonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02558747878308766840noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2542521298906723397.post-48610944330962218132014-11-04T09:57:55.485+00:002014-11-04T09:57:55.485+00:00Constantly on the lookout for a quiet pint or two,...Constantly on the lookout for a quiet pint or two, I usually find comfort in a few pubs in Eccles, off the beaten track, or in Meath Street/Dublin. Alas, they are harder and harder to find these days, apart from Samuel Smith taverns which are always a good address (though non-existent in Dublin). The 1990 World Cup brought TVs and endless music to the Dublin pubs, not always to the benefit of the punters. Young people who can't hold their fancy drinks and loud music are a major deterrent - individually or as a fatal combination. I truly cherish those quiet spots where they keep a decent pint of ale and leave the appreciative customer to ponder, enjoy and perhaps share a good conversation whilst ordering another round.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16823957806285440619noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2542521298906723397.post-82096646259739003012014-11-03T13:45:36.429+00:002014-11-03T13:45:36.429+00:00People that hate TV football basically hate pubs. ...People that hate TV football basically hate pubs. They hate Britain, they hate fish and chips, they hate foaming pints of ale, they hate everything about the Great British way of life.Cooking Lagerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02830924433230427226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2542521298906723397.post-37399575331631656012014-11-01T08:57:54.707+00:002014-11-01T08:57:54.707+00:00TV football works well with a partisan crowd. I ac...TV football works well with a partisan crowd. I actually enjoy meeting my friend in the unofficial London Celtic supporters pub as it's always a lively atmosphere and packed, even at Saturday lunchtime (Sheephaven Bay). But I'd agree that a couple of mediocre teams out of town does nothing for the pub. But it's hard to justify the cost. <br /><br />Occasionally though a couple of my friends need an 'excuse' to go to the pub. Invariably we hardly watch the game and just chat, but they might not have gone had their not been a 'reason'. I personally don't need an excuse, but others seem to.<br /><br />As for piped music, when at a sensible volume I find it helps smooth any awkward silence if your company isn't as chatty as you'd hope, but I'd agree it can be very distracting when done too loud. I do find a quiet pub a bit lifeless at times though, and in cavernous Spoons the chatter becomes tinny and echoy. The Dangermannoreply@blogger.com