‘What’s a red flag when visiting a British pub?’ – 25 worrying things that will have you heading straight back out the door

Dry January is upon us, meaning a lot of us will be trying to stay out of the pub during the most miserable month of the year.

Which can be depressing, but it depends which kind of establishment you usually drink in, as some are much more hospitable and cosy than others. Redditor Affectionate-Ad-4650 asked the question ‘What’s a red flag when visiting a British pub?’ and followed it up with this …

‘You know that feeling when you walk into a pub and instantly think, ‘Yeah, this was a mistake’? Maybe it’s the sticky carpets, the dodgy pint that tastes like dishwater, or the weird vibe where everyone stops and stares at you as soon as you walk in.’

And their fellow Brits were keen to jump in with the things that instantly tell them when a pub is best avoided.

1.

‘I swear I went into an old man pub in North London once, about 20 years ago, where there was actually a sing-song around the piano going on and it stopped the moment I walked in, like the piano player in a saloon in a Western.’
–BobBobBobBobBobDave

2.

‘It has a flat roof.’
–vrlkd

3.

‘Pissed-up barman. Aggressive dogs. Fourteen-year-olds playing pool and downing pints.’
–vicarofsorrows

4.

‘Plastic pint ‘glasses’.’
–Doomergeneration

5.

‘And a bouncer on the door at lunchtime.’
–Bunister

6.

‘I once went into pub and there was a swastika carved into the dartboard, so that I guess.’
–Johndex1980

7.

‘Faded union flags in the windows. Rottweiler on the flat roof. Broken glass around the entrance. Music blaring from the jukebox at 11am.’
–mr-seamus

8.

‘Going to a country pub in Wales and the patrons blatantly and immediately switch from speaking English to Welsh the moment you walk in. My wife is Welsh and speaks the language but it’s still kinda funny.’
–ThePolymath1993

9.

‘Neon stars on the house spirit bottles with discount for doubles.’
–Conscious-Cut-6007

10.

‘Only Fosters, Stella and John Smiths on tap. Old, broken pool table. Everyone stops and stares when you walk in. Cash only.’
–codernaut85

11.

‘Being the only woman.’
–Hopeful-Ad6256

12.

‘Dad went for a pint round the corner while I was getting a haircut once. Above the bar they had a banner which read ‘Welcome home Gary’.

‘From the collection of large shaven headed men it was apparent Gary had not been on holiday.’
–YoureNotExactlyLone