Johnny Publican say's Comeback

Degag · 03-05-2010 11:32PM

Fulton Crown wrote: »

So the publicans are trying to get us to come back..according to the advys on radio sponsored by the Vintners Federation.

Good lads....missed trying to rip us off hmm ?

Still some of you charging up to 7 euro for a quarter bott of wine - you can buy it for less than 3 euro retail in a Supermarket.

Got some advice for you lads:

We are sick of being ripped off

We don't like surly / rude/ disinterested staff

We don't like takin a piss in a smelly hell hole of a jax - ..before 11pm anyways.

A little nod of recognition would be appreciated..remembering our "usual" that would be very good.

The odd free one or the offer of a lift home..now your getting it.

Get those things right and you won't need to spend money on futile advts.

I work in a bar, first of all, it's not up to the staff to set prices or give out free beer. My boss regularily gives people an odd free pint though. It's a business though and not a charity. I've never gone into a normal shop and expected to get a free packet of rashers (lol) or anything like that, so why should a pub be different.

Regarding rude staff etc.... yeah, there are some like that. But you'll never know what being a barman is like until you do it. The ammount of absolute pricks you meet on a day to day basis is unreal. Also alot of the time when we are busy, we can't give the same ammount of attention to customers compared to when we are not busy, yet we are still "in a bad mood" even when we are not.

Jacks, yeah it's a problem in most places. It's hard to attend to them when you are busy though.

Regarding remembering the usual... well i know 99% of my regulars drinks but then you'll have someone who you will see once a month and he'll say "a pint please" A pint of f'n what??!!

I often drive people home from the pub, alot of the time it's not appreciated though as it should be. I have no problem whatsoever in doing it as does my boss and colleagues.

RATM · 03-05-2010 11:34PM

The price of the pint needs to come down at least by a euro to get me back into going down the pub. Whilst there is such a price differential between going out and staying in then the funeral bells for pubs will keep tolling.

Interestingly in this recession more or less every business is reducing prices to attract customers. But what do the greedy FF loving publicans of Ireland do? They have a 'price freeze' only a few months after jacking the prices upwards. Well done lads, mind the tumbleweed as it blows through....

kraggy · 03-05-2010 11:35PM

liah wrote: »

I don't think it's particularly unreasonable to want a feeling of camaraderie around a pub, and that's all the OP was really on about.

Iamxavier, I can understand your point about how it's not up to the barman to remember everyone's order/that he has to do the same for a lot of others/why should he have to spot you a pint etc. etc. etc. Obviously it's not the barman's responsibility to do these things, it's your own. I get that. And I see where you're coming from.

But to be honest, you're taking an awfully callous, anti-social take on it. A pub is essentially meant to be a "public house." He's talking about small town or country pubs, not a business in the middle of Dublin that's going to attract a thousand people a day. These small town pubs generally have bar staff who were raised in the town, know all the people who come in their pub to see, and have a definite group of regulars.

Obviously the OP wasn't suggesting that the bar staff give away free pints and cab rides to every single Joe Soap to walk in the place. He's saying that there's absolutely nothing wrong with the bar staff maybe recognizing that he has a loyal, dedicated customer who consistently gives business to his pub and puts money in his pockets. This loyal customer will often bring mates in, who will also become regulars, and therefore more money in his pockets. Therefore it's in the barman's best interests to make the regulars feel as welcome as possible. And to do that all he has to do is treat them like friends-- because that's what they've become. So what's wrong with having the regulars stay in for a lock-in? Throwing in some free champagne on New Years? Bringing in a bit of free bar food when the game's on? Spotting a pint for a lad on his birthday?

I mean, from a technical perspective, you're completely right. The barman shouldn't be given the responsibility of all this. But from a social perspective, that way doesn't work and doesn't attract nor hold people-- which is bad for business. Human beings are society-driven, they strive to find comfort and familiarity and safety. That's why they go to the pub. To have a bit of craic. Being stared down by a barman who's counting the cents doesn't really add to that experience and makes the punter far less inclined to return, and therefore that's money out of the barman's pocket.

Excellent post Liah. IamXavier taking a totally unreasonable stance on this one.

Degag · 03-05-2010 11:39PM

liah wrote: »

Obviously the OP wasn't suggesting that the bar staff give away free pints and cab rides to every single Joe Soap to walk in the place. He's saying that there's absolutely nothing wrong with the bar staff maybe recognizing that he has a loyal, dedicated customer who consistently gives business to his pub and puts money in his pockets. This loyal customer will often bring mates in, who will also become regulars, and therefore more money in his pockets. Therefore it's in the barman's best interests to make the regulars feel as welcome as possible. And to do that all he has to do is treat them like friends-- because that's what they've become. So what's wrong with having the regulars stay in for a lock-in? Throwing in some free champagne on New Years? Bringing in a bit of free bar food when the game's on? Spotting a pint for a lad on his birthday?

I've been to many lock-ins and held many too, but whatis wrong with it is, that if the publican is caught he gets fined and has an endorsement on his license while the customer gets away scot free.

Run_to_da_hills · 03-05-2010 11:39PM

O Briens are doing an extended Carlsbourg promotion until the end of May €1 cans, why bother going out.

http://www.obrienswine.ie/Beers/Carlsberg-Can---24-Pack/18732/

m5ex9oqjawdg2i · 03-05-2010 11:45PM

drkpower wrote: »

A price drop is no different from a free beer now and again; in fact it probably costs less and may engender more goodwill (although there may be some legal difficulties with the latter). Yet you lambasted Fulton for the suggestion.

Surely you can tell the difference between lower cost of a product and getting product free every so often?

There's a distinct difference. Reduce the cost of a pint will have a significant difference over all than the 1 or 2 free pints every 6 months.

Anyway, I didn't lambast anybody, I was using mind bullets :cool:

A publican in certain rural aresa/sparsely populated suburbs putting on a minibus at the end of the night for regulars is a cost-effective way of bringing people in and encouraging them to stay later. Yet you lambasted Fulton for the suggestion.

The expectation of going out for a pint, and getting a lift home at the end of the night from the barman for free is a joke. Putting the barman out, and surely there is not just one person looking for a lift. Why would the barman be out of pocket for that? Not all publicans work in their pubs, and those that do don't work in them all the time.

It's definately a good idea, and should be invested in if the pub can afford it, but to go out without a way home and to expect somebody else to look after you is unreal.

A barman remebering a regular's order is not that difficult at all. The guy in the coffee shop I go occasionally for lunch remembers my order and has the coffee on when I join the queue. Its a little thing but it brings me back. Yet you lambasted Fulton for the suggestion.

Maybe if he worded it a little differently he would have got a different reaction. Remembering orders is fine, but then you are liable for when that order is wrong or when they want something different. Best to wait for them to order it. It's thoughtful but can cause problems. I wouldn't like to have a pint put before me before I ask for it. "Carlsberg please"... that doesn't take long to say, does it?

All of the above are relatively cost-effective solutions to increase business; the fact that you think they are absurd and lambaste someone for making the suggestion is puzzling and shows a lack of any flexible thinking on your part.

The op's post is absurd, the expectation of some extra services is absurd.

Why the fcuk does everybody have to resort to insults when they are challanged? Fcuking childish. If you can't debate then please do piss off...

Ciaraallen · 03-05-2010 11:47PM

anyone see the range of ads at bus stops>?
havin a go at facebook
one of them goes..

"Peter has taken 27 quizzes.."
"Think we need to get out more, to the original social network. the local pub"

hah. im gonna post a few comments and drive home.

drkpower · 03-05-2010 11:52PM

Alfredo Polite Sinner wrote: »

Why the fcuk does everybody have to resort to insults when they are challanged? Fcuking childish. If you can't debate then please do piss off...

Where did I insult you? I said your response showed a lack of flexible thinking. Is that an insult? 'Piss off' is an insult. Calling something 'fcuking childish' is an insult. Are you unable to debate? Should you 'piss off' yourself?:rolleyes:

Anyway, you have agreed that a minibus service is a 'good idea', that the barman remembering orders is 'fine' and a price drop is obviously similar in effect to a 'free pint once in a while'.

So it looks like my job here is done.

goose2005 · 03-05-2010 11:57PM

Alfredo Polite Sinner wrote: »

Why do you expect free beer? Basic commerce, you want a good, you pay for it.

You want customers, you offer a good product, something that differentiates you from your 10,000 competitors.

m5ex9oqjawdg2i · 03-05-2010 11:59PM

liah wrote: »

I don't think it's particularly unreasonable to want a feeling of camaraderie around a pub, and that's all the OP was really on about.

Iamxavier, I can understand your point about how it's not up to the barman to remember everyone's order/that he has to do the same for a lot of others/why should he have to spot you a pint etc. etc. etc. Obviously it's not the barman's responsibility to do these things, it's your own. I get that. And I see where you're coming from.

But to be honest, you're taking an awfully callous, anti-social take on it. A pub is essentially meant to be a "public house." He's talking about small town or country pubs, not a business in the middle of Dublin that's going to attract a thousand people a day. These small town pubs generally have bar staff who were raised in the town, know all the people who come in their pub to see, and have a definite group of regulars.

Obviously the OP wasn't suggesting that the bar staff give away free pints and cab rides to every single Joe Soap to walk in the place. He's saying that there's absolutely nothing wrong with the bar staff maybe recognizing that he has a loyal, dedicated customer who consistently gives business to his pub and puts money in his pockets. This loyal customer will often bring mates in, who will also become regulars, and therefore more money in his pockets. Therefore it's in the barman's best interests to make the regulars feel as welcome as possible. And to do that all he has to do is treat them like friends-- because that's what they've become. So what's wrong with having the regulars stay in for a lock-in? Throwing in some free champagne on New Years? Bringing in a bit of free bar food when the game's on? Spotting a pint for a lad on his birthday?

I mean, from a technical perspective, you're completely right. The barman shouldn't be given the responsibility of all this. But from a social perspective, that way doesn't work and doesn't attract nor hold people-- which is bad for business. Human beings are society-driven, they strive to find comfort and familiarity and safety. That's why they go to the pub. To have a bit of craic. Being stared down by a barman who's counting the cents doesn't really add to that experience and makes the punter far less inclined to return, and therefore that's money out of the barman's pocket.

IT's the sense of expectation that's the problem. Expecting the barman to pay for a taxi home or free beer, however frequent, is simply not on.

The publicans decided to go down the route of advertising, which I think is a bad thing as their adverts are insulting and condesending. The approach they should have taken is a price cut, and a large one at that. This should have been done a few years back. I know in carlow when pubs were charging 2.50 and 3 euro a pint that cow of a judge told them to stop it, and prices went back up to 4 or more euro. "It's encouraging binge drinking" was the excuse. People ended up the same way, but with more money in their pockets.

I wouldn't go to a pub and expect free beer or a lift home, even though it happens. One owner always brings the local lads home, but you never know if he is going to be working or not, or if he will be home, but we arrange for a lift home before we go out.

They used to give out sausages and sambos, but we would never expect them, or ask for them. Not sure if that happens anymore though.

I surely would never expect a free pint, and I would like my barman to let me ask for the drink I want before he pours me a pint. This has happened a few times. I went to the bar and they put on a pint for me, but I am not in the mood for a pint and I want a short instead... so now I am in an awkward position of taking the pint or not taking it. You don't put people in that position. You can ask them, "same again?", that's not so bad, if they can remember, but I don't expect the barman to remember my drinks for me, he has enough to be doing.

m5ex9oqjawdg2i · 04-05-2010 12:03AM

goose2005 wrote: »

You want customers, you offer a good product, something that differentiates you from your 10,000 competitors.

I don't think you'd be in business too long

goat2 · 04-05-2010 12:03AM

starbelgrade wrote: »

Methinks that OP is going to the wrong pubs.

me no think so
me think me got used to buying in shop drinking at home with friends, where we can also have a cigarette or cigar without having to have our butts frozen in the rain and wind,
and the beauty of it all is we dont have to spend much, we dont need a taxi, which also bring down the price of the night,
most of us have nice patios outside, so we can have beer barbcue and craic all at little cost

starbelgrade · 04-05-2010 12:05AM

Alfredo Polite Sinner wrote: »

Why the fcuk does everybody have to resort to insults when they are challanged? Fcuking childish. If you can't debate then please do piss off...

And the pot calls the kettle black.

m5ex9oqjawdg2i · 04-05-2010 12:08AM

starbelgrade wrote: »

And the pot calls the kettle black.

Would you stop following me around? It's freaking me out...

starbelgrade · 04-05-2010 12:11AM

Alfredo Polite Sinner wrote: »

Would you stop following me around? It's freaking me out...

I'm not following you for 2 reasons

1. We're both posting in AH
2. You're not that important

Einhard · 04-05-2010 12:19AM

My local's after bringing in a loyalty scheme- as if mine were ever in doubt! Every drink (doesn't have to be alcholic) ye buy, they give you a sticker. Collect 9 stickers and viola, free point. Ding dang doo!

I currently have seven full booklets stashed away. If everything goes according to plan, I'll be drinking for free next Saturday*. Huzzah

*Knowing my luck though, the promotion will end Friday...

Agent J · 04-05-2010 12:21AM

Joe Public says "Drop your bloody prices first..."

m5ex9oqjawdg2i · 04-05-2010 12:27AM

starbelgrade wrote: »

I'm not following you for 2 reasons

1. We're both posting in AH
2. You're not that important

/shoo...

What local is that Einhard? Never heard of a pub doing that. Fair play to them.

Dyr · 04-05-2010 12:27AM

kraggy wrote: »

I went into Hogan's on George's St in Dublin the other night with some Canadian friends of mine who came to Ireland for a holiday.

Had the rudest, most unfriendly prick of a barman. Won't be going there again. Not a chance.

Maybe if bars/pubs drilled into the staff that without us customers, they wouldn't have a job, then we'd collectively be more likely to visit their establishments.

The experience in Hogan's was both cringeworthy and embarassing. My tourist friends couldn't believe it. And neither could I.

hogans is a sh*thole though. As are most the boozers around there

starbelgrade · 04-05-2010 12:34AM

Alfredo Polite Sinner wrote: »

/shoo...

What local is that Einhard? Never heard of a pub doing that. Fair play to them.

He's just confused - it was actually Starbucks. (Too much caffeine making him hallucinate)

Einhard · 04-05-2010 12:36AM

Alfredo Polite Sinner wrote: »

/shoo...

What local is that Einhard? Never heard of a pub doing that. Fair play to them.

Cleere's in Kilkenny. Biggest little small pub in the world...or something like that.

Sútalún · 04-05-2010 12:47AM

Any one else have the getoutmore.ie advert at the bottom right of their screen!? Oh the irony..

Sonnenblumen · 04-05-2010 12:50AM

irish_goat wrote: »

Unless it's a busy city centre pub it's unlikely that the barman will have been dealing with hundreds of faceless customers. It's not too hard to remember what someone drinks after you've served them 2 or 3 times. People buying rounds sometimes forget what another person in their group might be drinking as well so it's a sign of a good barman if he can rhyme off the previous round to remind the customer(and saves the time they'd spend going back to their table to check).

Not to mention the FFers who always forget whose round it is!:mad:

flas · 04-05-2010 12:55AM

i worked in th same pub for 4 years nearly,started when was 18 and within a month i knew what every regular would be having when they came in,i would just pick up the pint glass of what ever they were having and wave it at them or just ask them if its a pint their having,they would have to say pint of heineken or anything because pub i worked in whatever drink you were ordering we had the specific glass for so it made it hell of a lot easier to remember what the customer was drinkin! it isnt a massive big pub,small enough but go into it any time of the day and its packed, always bring out sambos on saturdays durin the matches that are on and the boss would be in talkin to everyone durin the day and little things like that,if he was leaving and somone was going at the same time he would offer them a lift, its just the simple things that makes it a successful pub! dont think in placeslike big cities this could work, but in your average sized towns it does and the pubs down there are feckin thrivin!

Jazzy · 04-05-2010 02:38AM

theres only 1 real complaint about pubs - they are far too expensive.

its really simple, if they were cheaper and made better deals for people looking to have fun, then we would go.

but most pubs dont make money anyway so what use is it to them to be cheaper?

ROTTING CHRIST · 04-05-2010 03:14AM

I think the damage is already done in terms of driving customers away with high prices. My friends and I over the last few years have become accustomed to holding house parties on friday/saturday nights instead of the pub. The music is better, the drink is cheaper, no closing time, no fights, don't think we'll go back to frequenting pubs any time soon!

Degag · 04-05-2010 03:30AM

In fairness, we in "the country" have it far better than people in Dublin. I was up there for the All Ireland Final, and the prices really are shocking. I've worked in the trade for years now and there are so many costs involved in running a pub that people don't realise, and pubs in Dublins have higher costs than those in the country but not to the extent that a pint should cost €2 more.

You still have people complaining though. A guy complained to me last week saying he got a pint of Guinness down the road for €3.60. Our price is €3.65.... WTF!!!

billy the squid · 04-05-2010 03:42AM

Pubs are too expensive, and we don't have the climate for outdoor smoking areas.

At home you can have friends around if you like, be nice and warm and have a smoke without freezing your balls off outdoors.

04-05-2010 04:11AM

thetonynator wrote: »

Or if you're not drinking, no one wants to pay €2.40 for 250mls of a soft drink.

its not even 250ml, more like 200-220ml depending on the drink

goat2 · 04-05-2010 12:54PM

if only people knew how hard being a barperson can be
you are taking orders in the middle of alot of noise, and asking customers to repeat, having to take slack,
the worst part of the job is
going into the toilets at the end, the amount of people who would do things they would not do in their own bathroom, i have often had to shovel number 2 and vomit off the floor at three in the morning, and bring the toilets up smelling roses, you have to have a good stomach for that job, then go home at that hour, it takes an hour to wind down, it can be hard sometimes
most customers are brilliant, but it only take 1 or 2 to cause the mess i am speaking of making it hard on others,
and having worked in bars in the past, it is the last place i want to go since then and the last time i worked in one is 15 yrs ago.

i could not get over the amount of people everyday who would be in in the morning for a few pints, how they could stomach the stuff in the cold winter morning, and stay all day, nothing to do, which amazed me, some of these had young children, who needed their attention and the money they spent on drink

Johnny Publican say's Comeback

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