Pubs aren’t what they used to be

How the subcultures of public houses have disappeared

If we go back 50 years, there was a certain pub for everyone, and people would drink in certain pubs depending on which category they belonged in. there was pubs which only skinheads would drink in, pubs for mods only, metal head pubs, EDL pubs and obviously there was standard boozers as well.

The culture was if you belonged in the pub, you were welcomed, if you were an opposing subgroup in society to which the pub was targeted for, you were most likely scraped out. This highlights how segmented the UK once was, but was it a bad thing? If you know what you like you know what you like, surely sticking to certain pubs where everything is familiar seems logistical. Today pubs still have their locals that will religiously visit most days if not every day of the week, they’re only there because its next door. There are still many pubs around that run this way (maybe without the aggression) but they remain authentic to subgroups within society.

For example, the worlds end in Camden, still home heavy metal lovers and well I guess you could say… the stereotypical local in Camden. Entering a pub that only plays heavy metal and screamo isn’t for the light-hearted, although it still attracts tourists and those intrigued by its interesting architecture. Although its only really a place you stay for one pint if you’re not too into all that.  

Another pub Camden which feels like going back to the 70s, with the group of local young people is the Hawley Arms, a boozer which was once Amy Winehouses local and is full memorabilia and the toilets covered in graffiti quoting things like ‘we miss you Amy’. Going to the Hawley arms is always a throwback in time, the boys wearing flares, girls with perfectly styled 70s bangs with cowboy boots and miniskirts. Its home to those reinventing the youth of the 70s. Peopling dancing on tables, nostalgic music playing on the background, it made me think is this what pub culture was like?

Most of London’s pubs are now owned by breweries and established public names including Weatherspoon’s. in London there is currently 100 Weatherspoon’s pubs and 71 Greene kings, both well-established chain style pubs which are renowned over the UK. There are also many other big brewers which own the leases to a large percentage of London pubs. The landlord culture there once was, well its slowly dying out.

Speaking to a local of The Somerstown Coffee House, Shaun, we discussed the culture of the pub in the area, which was once home to one of London’s largest council estates, the pub, which was once a normal boozer, has now become a gastropub which sells oysters and has £6.50 pints. ‘The area is changing now; it was a community and now it’s now changing, locals are being pushed out by those who make the pub money’.

The city is overtaking the pub world too, men in suits are pub owners, with business pledges and developments, trying to meet financial targets, rather than demographic. Building pubs in areas which were predominantly Muslim, therefore leading to gentrification and forcing communities to relocate. It’s a sad reality that even pubs are being taken over by the big man.