Why does Greystones have so few pubs?

Sticky Fingers

No, I don't agree with that. If that pub does not do food, the others who do will pick up the trade. Once you have eaten, it is likely that you will stay in that particular pub and not move as you will have settled in for the night. So the non food serving pub loses out. Also lunchtime trade is big and they would lose that trade to others as well. The only draw would be alcohol and in today's market that is not enough. Very Very few pubs don't do food.

budro

Well the one pub on the main street only serves food until 9 so I think it could do okay at night but it would have no lunch trade. It could work if it was more of a bar than a pub.

Jimjay

budro wrote: »

Well the one pub on the main street only serves food until 9 so I think it could do okay at night but it would have no lunch trade. It could work if it was more of a bar than a pub.

I heard it is planning on being a sports bar. Suppose that could work if they do it right.

Blandpebbles

Margins on food are very very low but are a necessary drawing tactic.

The real money is made on soft drinks and mixers, such as the splash in your jack.

I too have heard that the new place will be a Sports Bar not a traditional pub.

Hopefully this will prove less BLAND for those who need the excitement.

Sticky Fingers

Well good luck to them. I wish them well. The appeal is being heard in Feb so I suppose nothing will happen 'til then.

Wilmil

A chara,

There seems to be a lot of sniping at a certain "Byrne" family. This would appear a little strange and perplexing. Let me explain. The Byrnes have raised themselves off their collective backsides and are running two pubs in Greystones, that actually appear to be surviving in this appalling economic climate. Therefore, if you want to go out and have a quiet (or otherwise) pint, you should be applauding their efforts.

The alternative is to trudge to an off licence or the even more enticing Tesco supermarket and carry home some alcoholic beverage, for lonely consumption, possibly whilst taking in the rather dubious pleasures of a fun-filled evening of Eastenders!

Come on chaps, cop on before it's too late.........Huzzah!

Charlie-Bravo

Wilmil wrote: »

A chara,

There seems to be a lot of sniping at a certain "Byrne" family. This would appear a little strange and perplexing. Let me explain. The Byrnes have raised themselves off their collective backsides and are running two pubs in Greystones, that actually appear to be surviving in this appalling economic climate. Therefore, if you want to go out and have a quiet (or otherwise) pint, you should be applauding their efforts.

The alternative is to trudge to an off licence or the even more enticing Tesco supermarket and carry home some alcoholic beverage, for lonely consumption, possibly whilst taking in the rather dubious pleasures of a fun-filled evening of Eastenders!

Come on chaps, cop on before it's too late.........Huzzah!

A Wilmil, a chara,

First post...wow. What a blatant advertisement whilst offending people who watch Eastenders.

Could the reasons why they have survived so far be?:

1. having an monopoly with there being only one pub on the mainstreet? And,
2. fighting off competition by appealing to An Bord Pleanala?

You would think having another pub on the mainstreet would encourage more people to be actively social and actually go out for a pint rather than get some tins in the off license. Both pubs, both winners because there is choice?!

In advance, you're welcome.

Blandpebbles

Actively social? Me thinks someone has been listening to Dara o' Fat Lad on the radio spouting on about how pubs are the soul of society.

Seriously it's a pub not a real version of facebook. Most people in there are ol' lads with cobwebs, the usual town lushes and some young people getting a buzz on before going to Bray.

Another pub in Greystones will not deter the off licence brigade because that is driven by economic circumstance rather than choice availability.

A monopoly exists because no one has been capable of creating a sustainable pub business to rival them.

What's your evidence for the planning board appeals?

On the other side Wilmil has a very valid point. Successful businesses should be applauded what ever they are.

Wilmil

I prostrate myself and apologise with great humility to those people who enjoy Eastenders on a regular basis. Of course, it could be worse, they might actually enjoy Fair City. The fact remains that The Burnaby has been run as a tight ship and has not been taken over by noisy, drunken louts (as have some other establishments over the years) and thus, is always available for those discerning souls who may fancy a solo libation or even a group session in comfort and safety from time to time. Good pub quiz on Tuesday nights too.......free, may I add. Jolly good effor lads, keep it up!

The Bishop Basher

Wilmil wrote: »

The alternative is to trudge to an off licence or the even more enticing Tesco supermarket and carry home some alcoholic beverage, for lonely consumption, possibly whilst taking in the rather dubious pleasures of a fun-filled evening of Eastenders!

Come on chaps, cop on before it's too late.........Huzzah!

The other option is to pick up some relatively cheap drink in Tesco's and drink in a friends house or have them come to yours.

Charlie-Bravo

Blandpebbles wrote: »

What's your evidence for the planning board appeals?

As per my previous link.

http://www.pleanala.ie/casenum/237592.htm

Wilmil

Greetings pub goers!

During conversations at work (lucky enough to be semi-employed at the moment), we reckoned that part of the problem with lack of atmosphere in pubs, is the fact that an awful lot of the "new" residents in the Greystones and surrounding areas are died in the wool commuters. They appear to board early Darts, work for the day, socialise with their old friends in Dublin and return to the area merely to sleep. It must be hard to attract these people to unfamiliar pubs, to drink with people that they do not know, then try and find taxis to take them home. I don't know what the answer is, because a fair percentage of these families probably don't even know their close neighbours.

It doesn't really bother me, because I happen to enjoy The Wicklow Arms and The Burnaby and I prefer a quiet pint anyway. I suppose thats what you get for being an old curmudgeon. I'm probably wrong, I usually am by all accounts, but hey ho, who really cares.

Fiachra2

There is actually an interesting cultural and age related phenomeneon here.

I wouldnt dream of inviting friends around to drink in my house. Thats what we did when we were teenagers. If I invite them round I will feed them. Not to do so would cause offence.
But thats clearly not the case for a younger generation or perhaps those form a different background. If does make running pubs much more difficult if customers have what they feel is a comparible and significantly cheaper option.

RosieJoe

Wilmil wrote: »

Greetings pub goers!

During conversations at work (lucky enough to be semi-employed at the moment), we reckoned that part of the problem with lack of atmosphere in pubs, is the fact that an awful lot of the "new" residents in the Greystones and surrounding areas are died in the wool commuters. They appear to board early Darts, work for the day, socialise with their old friends in Dublin and return to the area merely to sleep. It must be hard to attract these people to unfamiliar pubs, to drink with people that they do not know, then try and find taxis to take them home. I don't know what the answer is, because a fair percentage of these families probably don't even know their close neighbours.

It doesn't really bother me, because I happen to enjoy The Wicklow Arms and The Burnaby and I prefer a quiet pint anyway. I suppose thats what you get for being an old curmudgeon. I'm probably wrong, I usually am by all accounts, but hey ho, who really cares.

Cannot believe the "blow in" mentality is still alive and kicking :eek:

Huntthe

Yes, the "blow in's" really want to start making an effort to integrate.

nobby grande

Wilmil wrote: »

Greetings pub goers!

During conversations at work (lucky enough to be semi-employed at the moment), we reckoned that part of the problem with lack of atmosphere in pubs, is the fact that an awful lot of the "new" residents in the Greystones and surrounding areas are died in the wool commuters. They appear to board early Darts, work for the day, socialise with their old friends in Dublin and return to the area merely to sleep. It must be hard to attract these people to unfamiliar pubs, to drink with people that they do not know, then try and find taxis to take them home. I don't know what the answer is, because a fair percentage of these families probably don't even know their close neighbours.

It doesn't really bother me, because I happen to enjoy The Wicklow Arms and The Burnaby and I prefer a quiet pint anyway. I suppose thats what you get for being an old curmudgeon. I'm probably wrong, I usually am by all accounts, but hey ho, who really cares.

Thank you, but this is untrue. The fact that these pubs are quiet and lack atmosphere has nothing to do with "dyed in the wool commuters", it is the management style, and the layout of the venues. The fact that there is no entertainment provided, or music at an audible volume is also a key issue when young people with money to spend are choosing a desination for a night out. Local people, of which i include myself, don't even consider the Arms or the Burnaby due to these reasons.
In fairness the Wicklow Arms used to have an excellent covers band in regularly. The burnaby needs something like this. The venue looks good, has good location but lacks atmosphere. Greystones is a great town with potential for great local night life. Unfortunately no one has the foresight to realise this. Danns is currently the only pub with atmosphere. They shoud bottle it and sell it, as it is in huge demand where G stones night life is concerned.

Blandpebbles

Or maybe people just don't want to go to pubs because their lives don't revolve around drink to be social

ciaran67

Its only 3.80 a pint here in our little town with 8 pubs.

Whats that got to do with Greystones lack of pubs, i hear you say.

Nothing, im merely boasting

nobby grande

Blandpebbles wrote: »

Or maybe people just don't want to go to pubs because their lives don't revolve around drink to be social

Thanks for the insight. You do realise this is a thread about pubs, and the lack of decent drinking establishments in Greystones.

Fiachra2

Well in fairness I did once hear of someone like that. But it was a long time ago and he was a friend of a friend of a friend so maybe he didnt really exist.

Blandpebbles

nobby grande wrote: »

Thanks for the insight. You do realise this is a thread about pubs, and the lack of decent drinking establishments in Greystones.

Drink/Pub
Social/Pub

All relevant as numerous people have referenced in this thread however I realise that those who frequent them often have a somewhat 'blurred' view of how good they are.

nobby grande

Blandpebbles wrote: »

Drink/Pub
Social/Pub

All relevant as numerous people have referenced in this thread however I realise that those who frequent them often have a somewhat 'blurred' view of how good they are.

Drink/Pub
Social/Pub

This is contradictory to your earlier post
"Or maybe people just don't want to go to pubs because their lives don't revolve around drink to be social"

Not sure what your point is here? We don't need pubs so close the thread? Or pubs are a vital social outlet.

Enlighten me my good man.

Blandpebbles

With regard to your question on the awareness of the threads primary focus and the subsequent connotations of ones misaligned contribution.

I merely intimated that there had been numerous references to the social and beverage consumption aspects of public houses and therefore rather than a juxtaposition, my rhetoric was complimentary to the overall theme of the discussion.

In retrospect a substantive review and collation of pertinent commentary should have been supplied in order for my observation to carry weight with those parties recently adhering to the thread without first perusing previous interjections.

Carry On..

nobby grande

Blandpebbles wrote: »

With regard to your question on the awareness of the threads primary focus and the subsequent connotations of ones misaligned contribution.

I merely intimated that there had been numerous references to the social and beverage consumption aspects of public houses and therefore rather than a juxtaposition, my rhetoric was complimentary to the overall theme of the discussion.

In retrospect a substantive review and collation of pertinent commentary should have been supplied in order for my observation to carry weight with those parties recently adhering to the thread without first perusing previous interjections.

Carry On..

Well blandpebbles, firstly i must say your rhetoric was far complimentary to the overall theme of the discussion, your rhetoric was irrelevant and did not contribute to the thread. That was my point. I may have made that point crudely, but the point remains.

Secondly your bloated response intimates a poor attempt to distance yourself from what was merely just an irrelevant post. Lighten up, if the thread is not relevant to you, there'll be another along shortly.

Thirdly, you didnt have a hand in the formulation of the second version of the Lisbon treaty by any chance did you?

Blandpebbles

Question: Why are there no decent pubs in Greystones?
Answer: Maybe people's lives don't revolve around pubs to socialise and therefore there isn't the business.

Highly relevant.

I refer you to my previous comments on the economic and social factors affecting the development of public houses in Greystones and the necessity to read all a thread before indulging in self moderation.

Your previous posts moderating me for my previous posts only serves to contradict your argument on relevance and contribution.

I Thank You.

nobby grande

Blandpebbles wrote: »

Question: Why are there no decent pubs in Greystones?
Answer: Maybe people's lives don't revolve around pubs to socialise and therefore there isn't the business.

Highly relevant.

I refer you to my previous comments on the economic and social factors affecting the development of public houses in Greystones and the necessity to read all a thread before indulging in self moderation.

Your previous posts moderating me for my previous posts only serves to contradict your argument on relevance and contribution.

I Thank You.

Self moderation? Self flagellation talking with you. As i have stated already, your rhetoric was irrelevant and did not contribute to the thread. This is just raking over the same ground. I fully understand your point, but as i said it is irrelevant. I have lived in Greystones and seen many busy establishments come and go. The woodlands and the stables were hives of activity. Bennigans and Lautrex did storming business.
Now you tell me that "maybe people just don't want to go to pubs because their lives don't revolve around drink to be social" is a relevant point.

It isn't, you can re-word it all you like but it is still incorrect.

Blandpebbles

The woodlands and the stables were hives of activity. Bennigans and Lautrex did storming business, circa 1950-2000.

This is 2010, very different economy, very different social activities.

Your opinion is its not relevant, yet the facts will out... no customers no business. Why no customers? Because not everyones social life revolves around drinking in the pub.

You can use your opinion as a blunt instrument or you can wield it as a mighty sword which cuts both ways...

No applause necessary. I Thank You.

nobby grande

Ah yes, but then only just over Bray head there are decent pubs with great atmosphere doing far better trade than the pubs in Greystones. The kicker is that these pubs are attracting people who live in Greystones. My opinion is that there is a commercial opputunity for better nightlife in Greystones should the place be run well and have a decent location. It has been done before in bleak economic times, it can be done again. We may have to agree to disagree.

m5ex9oqjawdg2i

Wilmil wrote: »

Greetings pub goers!

During conversations at work (lucky enough to be semi-employed at the moment), we reckoned that part of the problem with lack of atmosphere in pubs, is the fact that an awful lot of the "new" residents in the Greystones and surrounding areas are died in the wool commuters. They appear to board early Darts, work for the day, socialise with their old friends in Dublin and return to the area merely to sleep. It must be hard to attract these people to unfamiliar pubs, to drink with people that they do not know, then try and find taxis to take them home. I don't know what the answer is, because a fair percentage of these families probably don't even know their close neighbours.

It doesn't really bother me, because I happen to enjoy The Wicklow Arms and The Burnaby and I prefer a quiet pint anyway. I suppose thats what you get for being an old curmudgeon. I'm probably wrong, I usually am by all accounts, but hey ho, who really cares.

Utter rubbish...

Blandpebbles

Alaric Scary Spouse wrote: »

Utter rubbish...

ahem.. in your opinion.