The moon under water

The_Lizards_Jumpers

Well-known member
No not the dodgy Weatherspoons at the end of Deansgate in Manchester, but the fictional pub by Geroge Orwell as outlined in his 1946 essay in which he outlined his perfect pub which included:-
  1. The architecture and fittings must be uncompromisingly Victorian.
  2. Games, such as darts, are only played in the public bar "so that in the other bars you can walk about without the worry of flying darts".
  3. The pub is quiet enough to talk, with the house possessing neither a radio nor a piano.
  4. The barmaids know the customers by name and take an interest in everyone.
  5. It sells tobacco and cigarettes, aspirins and stamps, and "is obliging about letting you use the telephone".
  6. "[...] there is a snack counter where you can get liver-sausage sandwiches, mussels (a speciality of the house), cheese, pickles and [...] large biscuits with caraway seeds [...]."
  7. "Upstairs, six days a week, you can get a good, solid lunch—for example, a cut off the joint, two vegetables and boiled jam roll—for about three shillings."
  8. "[...] a creamy sort of draught stout [...], and it goes better in a pewter pot."
  9. "They are particular about their drinking vessels at "The Moon Under Water" and never, for example, make the mistake of serving a pint of beer in a handleless glass. Apart from glass and pewter mugs, they have some of those pleasant strawberry-pink china ones. [...] but in my opinion beer tastes better out of china."
  10. "[...] You go through a narrow passage leading out of the saloon, and find yourself in a fairly large garden [...] Many as are the virtues of the Moon Under Water I think that the garden is its best feature, because it allows whole families to go there instead of Mum having to stay at home and mind the baby while Dad goes out alone."

So what would you perfect pub have in it?

For me, real fire, roast potatoes on the bar on a Sunday, and newspapers available for the punters.
 
Have you heard the John Robins podcast going by the same name where he discusses the perfect pub with various comedians/celebs?

I'd say a real fire, leather seats, a snug area being available, no TV, a selection of hand-pulled ales, an old-fashioned juke box (not played too loud), food choices limited to nuts, crisps and pork scratchings.
 
The reason many Wetherspoons are called The Moon Under Water (not just Deansgate) is because Tim Martin took the general themes of the essay as the inspiration for the atmosphere he wanted to create in his pubs when he started back in the 70’s

Funny, I don’t see Orwell mentioning dirty old blokes stinking of p*ss, miserable staff, crappy microwaved food or mass brawls on a weekend.

Maybe I need to read between the lines a bit…
 
Have you heard the John Robins podcast going by the same name where he discusses the perfect pub with various comedians/celebs?

I'd say a real fire, leather seats, a snug area being available, no TV, a selection of hand-pulled ales, an old-fashioned juke box (not played too loud), food choices limited to nuts, crisps and pork scratchings.
And that jukebox has to be a vinyl one with nothing on it released post 2000.
 
The reason many Wetherspoons are called The Moon Under Water (not just Deansgate) is because Tim Martin took the general themes of the essay as the inspiration for the atmosphere he wanted to create in his pubs when he started back in the 70’s

Funny, I don’t see Orwell mentioning dirty old blokes stinking of p*ss, miserable staff, crappy microwaved food or mass brawls on a weekend.

Maybe I need to read between the lines a bit…
I bet Orwell would have had plenty to say about Tim Martin and the way he treats his staff.
 
Perfect Pub

Must be in the countryside but within walking distance and allow dogs. Beer must be good with a "house" ale and stout as standard with guest beers changing regularly. Good selection of salty snacks. Food I can take or leave but perhaps just some pies and maybe the option for roast tatties. There will be a Beer Garden wherein no smoking will be allowed.

The closest I have experienced is the Strathmore Arms at Holwick in Teesdale (only falls down on the walking distance thing and being currently closed with an uncertain future)
 
Has to sell pickled eggs and proper pork scratchings, have nice barmaids * and the icing on the cake would be a retro Asteroids game machine. 'Goes without saying on the hand pulled beers side of things.

* Apologies for the misogyny :)
 
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