The London Pub Survival Guide
by Phil Parkin
Well, not just about London pubs, could be anywhere really! But I live in London, so that's where the emphasis lies.
The London Pub Survival Guide is first and foremost meant to be informative - All about how to get the most out of your pub visit. But it is also supposed to be an entertaining read for experienced pub-goers as well. The observations on some aspects of what goes on should cause a grin or two.
DO YOU KNOW WHAT? - There is one MAJOR tip in this book on "How to get served" that even some of the people that I drink with down my local pub still don't know, and they still sometimes wonder why they do not get served as quickly as they might!
Anyway, The London Pub Survival Guide is TOTALLY FREE, so please download (it's a PDF - right click the button below and save) it and read it with my compliments, you can always throw it away if you don't want it. But if you do like it then I would be delighted to hear from you.
Things to come
There will be some significant changes and additions to this site sometime over the next few weeks - including more free stuff. So I suggest you bookmark it and revisit every now and then. Alternatively, just drop me a message and I will keep you informed (I won't bombard you with emails)
What does it cover?
Well, as I said before, whilst a few pubs are mentioned in passing, primarily this is information as to what to do and what to expect in and from pubs in general.
I concentrate mainly on London pubs - the type of pubs and bars found in London's tourist, business and shopping areas, but the principles apply throughout the UK and I do explain about other types of pubs as well.
What are they? - When are they open? - Who can go in? - What constitutes a pub; all about when they are open; people in pubs; young people; pets
How to get served - Even when it's busy - the rules on what to do and how to do it; how to order - food and drink; what to do if you are in a group - this section includes the single most important tip to make sure you get served!
How to pay - Tipping; taxes and receipts
Pubs galore - All about different types of pubs and information (and a little history) to help you make your selection - Coaching Inns; Student Pubs; Gin Palaces; "Bistro" and "Gastro" Pubs; Family Pubs; Bars;
Pubs for business and leisure - What is a local? - find out about the local and its regular customers; the role of the landlord; how to become part of the local scene
A Bird's Eye View - The woman's perspective on entering pubs - what to do and what not to do; the single female; ladies en masse
Drink and be merry - All about booze - measures and prices - English beer; shandy and "top"; cider; wine; spirits; cocktails and other drinks
Food glorious food - What sort of food you can expect in pubs around London
Games - Some information on some of the more traditional games
Talk, talk, talk - Conversations in pubs; the things Brits talk about and a few hints
Pubs and beer - A recent history - all about the drinks retail and brewing business; CAMRA (The CAmpaign for Real Ale)
The Author
My friends, and probably enemies too, will insist that I am very well qualified to write this sort of book by dint of experience. I have to say that a slightly excessive liking for beer and wine seems to have been of some influence.
I am not a Social Researcher, but an enthusiastic pub-goer of many years standing (sometimes sitting, and very occasionally prone).
What I have done is visit pubs all over the place. This was possible because I had various company responsibilities that took me to many places throughout the UK (and abroad as well).
I've also seen it from the other side of the bar when, in my youth, I worked as a barman in Cornwall, right on the South West tip of England.
You're right! - this is not all I do. I also provide IT and marketing Services - and I try to offset the ravages of my pub lifetstyle by keeping fit without being obsessed about it. You can find out more about these things at www.pparkin.co.uk
Beer
Pubs are not just about beer - there is something for everybody. But it is a major part of pub life.
"Don't just go into a pub and ask for a glass of beer. It's like going into a candy store and asking for something sweet" - The London Pub Survival Guide