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@Crucial So pokies = slots? TAB being like the Tote?
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@Catogrande said in The Local:
@Crucial So pokies = slots? TAB being like the Tote?
Yep. TAB = Totaliser Agency Board. We don't have bookies in NZ.
Pokies = Slot Machines (although years ago that referred to anything you put a coin in, such a spacies) -
@Crucial You sometimes get that pub (well cafe really)/ bookies in France and I've never really seen the attraction, but then again I'm not much of a punter. However the idea of booze and gambling in the same small space seems a bit stupid to me.
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The area I live in used to have no pubs. I used to occasionally walk to the Trough (Northcote Tavern) which is an Auckland institution and one where I have been drinking on and off for decades. I'm still known by sight but not by name.
Then about 17 years ago a pub opened up seven minutes walk away. Nothing spectacular but a good modern gastro pub. I knew the owner which got me a discount card and a free round whenever he would see me. Staff then decided I must be a VIP so I am treated like one.
Even better 4 years ago a craft ale bar opened BBC (Birkenhead Brewing Co) 50 metres further away from the first pub. They are in an old villa and have set themselves up really well - do good food are always pumping. Turns out I knew the owner (or rather his missus) there too so I get 10% discount on everything. Great beers and the regulars all know me by sight. I'm not one to chat with people but I do enjoy getting out amongst other people enjoying the vibe and a few quiets rather than just sitting at home with the friggin cat.
As a result at the end of my nightly walks my feet seem to lead me to one (or both) of my locals.
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@Catogrande said in The Local:
@NTA "Decked out TAB"? This term I do not know.
Go to a club if you want a TAB or Pokies or TVs IMO. Pubs should be for social interaction (and drinking) not staring at screens.
The pubs we liked in the UK would clearly let everyone know before if they were going to have the TVs on eg Guiness promotion during 6N etc. so you could stay way or still go depending on preference.
not sure you could sound any more pompous than in this post.
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@Catogrande said in The Local:
@Crucial Mate, TVs I understand. TAB and Pokies not so much.
TAB = https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Totalisator_Agency_Board = sports betting, essentially.
Pokies = Poker machines or slot machines. They're basically everywhere in pubs these days and a shitload of money goes into them. A fair bit comes out in tax and supporting junior sport, so its a tricky balance.
@mariner4life said in The Local:
The pubs we liked in the UK would clearly let everyone know before if they were going to have the TVs on eg Guiness promotion during 6N etc. so you could stay way or still go depending on preference.
not sure you could sound any more pompous than in this post.
Sounds a bit regimented.
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@mariner4life said in The Local:
@Catogrande said in The Local:
@NTA "Decked out TAB"? This term I do not know.
Go to a club if you want a TAB or Pokies or TVs IMO. Pubs should be for social interaction (and drinking) not staring at screens.
The pubs we liked in the UK would clearly let everyone know before if they were going to have the TVs on eg Guiness promotion during 6N etc. so you could stay way or still go depending on preference.
not sure you could sound any more pompous than in this post.
Why pompous? You like pubs with screens and machines, I prefer otherwise. I prefer ones that encourage social interaction on a different basis. I didn't denigrate your preference, just said that my idea of what makes a good 'pub' is different to yours.
I used to go to sports clubs in Oz as well. I knew what I was going for and it wasn't the same thing as going to a 'pub'
The fact that there are establishments that specifically cater to what I like and aren't full of pompous people kind of shows that my opinion isn't unique. -
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@mariner4life said in The Local:
Go to a club if you want a TAB or Pokies or TVs IMO. Pubs should be for social interaction (and drinking) not staring at screens.
righto. Crucial's way is the way, everyone else toe the line
Completely the opposite of what I typed. I made it very clear that was simply my opinion. You are welcome to your own.
Isn't that what we do here? Post our opinions?
'Isn't unique' does not mean 'only right way' -
My fav Local memories were from my time in Hampstead. We had a little flat halfway between the tube and the Heath, nothing flash, but a mint location.
Summertime we drank at the Wells. Bit flash on the food front , but really nice to sit outside on a summers evening with a cider.
Winter nights were better though at the Holly Bush, fire roaring, flat beer flowing! Unfortunately recent reviews suggest they have hiked the food prices and focus more on dining than the casual drinkers. Shame.
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@Catogrande said in The Local:
@NTA "Decked out TAB"? This term I do not know.
Go to a club if you want a TAB or Pokies or TVs IMO. Pubs should be for social interaction (and drinking) not staring at screens.
The pubs we liked in the UK would clearly let everyone know before if they were going to have the TVs on eg Guiness promotion during 6N etc. so you could stay way or still go depending on preference.
Avoiding the pompous topic, I do have to these days agree whole heartedly with this.
I went to a mate in Adelaide's local watering hole a couple of years ago and it was the sports, pokies, betting, mens club type thing. I thought I would have loved it. I hated it, which came as quite a surprise to me.
I dig the local pub type thing now. Bit of chat, nice warm place, low key atmosphere.
Very old of me.
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It may be a reflection on my failings as an Otago Uni student 18-20 years ago but the infamous Captain Cook Tavern was our local. We were known by name with most of the staff and ended up merging our social rugby team with theirs. Even managed a lock-in or two in the corner bar.
Locals since, in chronological order as I moved around NZ.
- Fat Sally's (Oamaru)
- Murphy's Law (Petone) #RIP
- Mornington Tavern (Dunedin)
Now I'm back in Wellington, my local of sorts (although I don't get there often due to living in Mt Cook and now Wadestown) is Lone Star Petone, as I'm good mates with the owner. It's by no means considered a place for a bet but he'll give me cash to put in my TAB account, he'll flick Trackside on one of the TVs and away we go for an evening of syndicate punting. Plus I get the occaisonal free beer.
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@Bones said in Lockdown Check In:
@Catogrande shit, honestly have only been to the white heart down that way. If we're heading down high street it's usually to somewhere like Pato Lounge which is good for a feed and a beer.
My colleague is Oprtington born & bred. Says his local is the Maxwell near the stations - which is a boozers boozer.
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@MajorRage said in Lockdown Check In:
@Bones said in Lockdown Check In:
@Catogrande shit, honestly have only been to the white heart down that way. If we're heading down high street it's usually to somewhere like Pato Lounge which is good for a feed and a beer.
My colleague is Oprtington born & bred. Says his local is the Maxwell near the stations - which is a boozers boozer.
Was always so. Very much a station pub. Off the train, in the boozer for a couple then back home to face the family. Commuter life. The Daylight at Petts Wood fulfilled the same service early evening hours.
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@MajorRage said in Lockdown Check In:
@Bones said in Lockdown Check In:
@Catogrande shit, honestly have only been to the white heart down that way. If we're heading down high street it's usually to somewhere like Pato Lounge which is good for a feed and a beer.
My colleague is Oprtington born & bred. Says his local is the Maxwell near the stations - which is a boozers boozer.
Oof, yeah that's really only one that's a visit only out of necessity for me. On a par with the sovereign I mentioned earlier, but with nothing else around it.
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@Catogrande @Bones when I lived in Chislehurst, I was told by the locals that you only go to Orpington for as long as you can hold your breath.
I actually used to quite like it there.
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Following this pub conversation and I had a quick look on the GPG app (still on my phone)
If you filter the area for GPG rated pubs only it turns into a wasteland. A Sydney Arms and a Crown near Chislehurst but neither of the write ups would entice me there.
Take the filter off and Harvest Moon, Blacksmiths Arms and Cricketers. I'm actually surprised that @Bones hasn't made the 'Buff Orpington' his regular
GPG certainly doesn't pick up everything good but I found it useful when travelling and looking ahead for somewhere to stop. Mostly if they have a red rating on GPG you'll find a decent spot with good beer. Have found some real beauties using it.
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@Crucial said in Lockdown Check In:
Following this pub conversation and I had a quick look on the GPG app (still on my phone)
If you filter the area for GPG rated pubs only it turns into a wasteland. A Sydney Arms and a Crown near Chislehurst but neither of the write ups would entice me there.
Take the filter off and Harvest Moon, Blacksmiths Arms and Cricketers. I'm actually surprised that @Bones hasn't made the 'Buff Orpington' his regular
GPG certainly doesn't pick up everything good but I found it useful when travelling and looking ahead for somewhere to stop. Mostly if they have a red rating on GPG you'll find a decent spot with good beer. Have found some real beauties using it.
What does it say about "The Ramblers Rest"? That was my local and lived less than 100 metres from it
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