Suggestions group posting on GLOBOsapiens

Cafes vs Pubs

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willow Joined: Dec 03 Points: 1258 Posts: 12 Posted: 2004-06-23 16:16:00    I'm always a little put off by "pubs" as the only alternative to restaurants or clubs. How about an alternative listing "Cafes", or "Cafes and Bars". Pubs are very particular- I like them, but they're great for a beer with some mates. Cafes could mean coffee, light fare or wine with a friend at a bistro in Paris. Just a thought --- "Seek to live. Remembrance is for the old." -Paulo Coelho Reply    Reply with quote    Contact willow   britman Premium account Joined: Apr 04 Points: 17984 Posts: 83 Posted: 2004-06-23 18:55:00    I understand Willow's concern over the name "pub" which often still has the old fashioned connotation of a pure ale house or bar. However, I do not know of many "pubs" today, in the British Isles or Ireland, that do not serve food of some type, together with a wide choice of soft drinks, tea, coffee or alcoholic beverages. Today the term "Pub" or "Inn" is virtually the same. It implies a place where you can get food and drink and sometimes accommodation - all usually at a fraction of Hotel prices. Today "pubs" are the equivalent of Continental cafes but not American bars. Cheers! Brit. --- Cheers! Reply    Reply with quote    Contact britman   willow Joined: Dec 03 Points: 1258 Posts: 12 Posted: 2004-06-23 22:22:00    I don't know, Brit, whereas I agree that in pubs you can get food, it's "pub fare". I don't think you should ever be able to find accomodation in a cafe, but it's appropriate sometimes in a pub or an inn- which I agree, are more or less the same, and wonderful in their way. (grin) Further, I think pubs are the equivalent of bars- whether American, Continental Europe or what have you, but not the equivalent of cafes. I am currently living in Spain, and I could categorise the local tapas bars as Spanish pubs...but they too are just not cafes. Cafés are a little more upscale in their attempts (if not their prices), with more focus on fine coffees, perhaps wine or mimosas, less on beer and probably don't have a full liquor license. Also, cafes are a little more alcoholics anonymous friendly, if only because they don't conjure up "ale house" images- however antiquated they may be. :-) It may just be a case of just being hung up on the implications of a word- I have had many pointless discussions with my English counterparts on our different ideas of the same word. These discussion usually end up in giving up and making our way to the nearest pub :-) I do see pubs as a particularly British Isles or Irish thing. It's grand that you always know what to expect when you walk into one world over...and that I can get mashed potatoes no matter what country I'm in as long as there's a pub handy. It's hard to find them in a cafe... --- "Seek to live. Remembrance is for the old." -Paulo Coelho Reply    Reply with quote    Contact willow   britman Premium account Joined: Apr 04 Points: 17984 Posts: 83 Posted: 2004-06-24 08:47:00    Posted: 2004-06-24 08:36:00 After contemplation I think that in the report section....the heading... “Bars/Cafes/Pubs/Restaurants”...is the proper title or ideal sub heading! Indeed, these four individual categories, are each distinctive in their own right. Each can vary in concept within geographical, national and even regional locations. However, all provide food and/or drink and somewhere to rest, relax and replenish temporarily whilst travelling. Importantly of course, all are quite different from Clubs– although many Bars/Cafes/Clubs/Pubs/Restaurants offer the same mix of food and drink, together with relaxation, including additionally music and dancing. The word “Club(s)” also encompasses Golf Clubs, Rotary Clubs, Shooting Clubs, Riding Clubs, Tennis Clubs etc., and some travellers want those activities also. So perhaps a new section/heading, entitled “Nightlife”, would cover the report locations after dark activities which could incorporate the recommended night club or late night entertainment venues! Hope I am simplifying not complicating matters here!! Cheers Brit PS: I have accidentally also posted this as a new topic <duhhhh....sorry!> --- Cheers! Reply    Reply with quote    Contact britman   andreas Joined: May 02 Points: 8313 Posts: 809 Posted: 2004-06-24 15:52:00    Hi Willow, Britman, thank you for your suggestion. I see what you mean. At the moment there are no resources for changing this. I will keep an eye on that forum and next time resources for improvement come up, I will go through all this messages, so they are very valuable. Don't be disapointed if changes don't come imeadiatelly, or I do not reply on every post. It takes some time. Best regards, Andy Reply    Reply with quote    Contact andreas   willow Joined: Dec 03 Points: 1258 Posts: 12 Posted: 2004-06-24 23:20:00    Hear, hear, Brit! Well put! I hadn't even thought about the Nightlife vs club take! Thanks, Andy for taking this into account next time you have resources. cheers willow --- "Seek to live. Remembrance is for the old." -Paulo Coelho Reply    Reply with quote    Contact willow   whereisliz Joined: Oct 03 Points: 8654 Posts: 164 Posted: 2004-06-30 15:36:00    Count mine as a vote for "nightlife" over "clubs". I don't find myself clubbing much these days, but there are other things to do at night, like a fine passeggiata in a small Italian town, where all the locals turn out in the evening hours to stroll a main street, greet neighbors and friends, flirt, and enjoy an after-dinner gelato. Liz --- travel inspiration & information at whereisliz.com Reply    Reply with quote    Contact whereisliz