A Beer Garden

Recently I visited a pub for lunch with a fabulous view.  We sat inside by a wood burning fire, in the pub’s bistro.  The bistro was a large open room displaying a grand vista of a rural landscape, complete with a couple of horses nearby.  To sit outside would have been quite delightful.  There was a large verandah, as well as some tables and chairs in the pub grounds.   Even if not sitting outside the large glass windows and doors brought the outside in. We sat there for an extremely leisurely lunch enjoying the warmth of the fire and our scenic surrounds.  If a pub is lucky enough to have a position offering a natural surrounding beauty  as part of its beer garden, as this one did, there is one less thing to work at to make it a great pub, or a favourite pub.

However a beer garden doesn’t have to be scenic to lure one into a state of comfort or enjoyment.  Over the years I’ve sat in many a beer garden, both in cities and in country towns, that I think have often been the making of the pubs.  Pubs, not only surrounded by paddocks or bush and abundant bird life, but with numerous umbrella’s, tables and chairs in a confined area, abuzz with people enjoying the experience.

A beer garden where one can enjoy the warmth of the spring sun, or shade from the summer heat along with a cold refreshing drink, can be enjoyed as much in a small courtyard, a verandah or a meandering garden setting as a beer garden with majestic views.

At certain times of the year an outdoor area is obviously a bonus, but as much as I enjoyed the comfortable and scenic environment I was lunching in recently,  it is more than the view that makes a pub a great one.

What Makes A Pub A Great Pub? - Decor -

Pub Decor

The Southern Highlands has a variety of pubs, all quite different.  Through this series of posts I look at what makes some better than others, and what makes a pub a great pub.  Today’s post is on decor and its impact.

The decor of a pub plays an important part.  If you walk into a pub and are confronted with what reminds you of a men’s room - and yes, I mean toilet, the place immediately has a negative effect.  Unless of course you have a real liking for mens rooms.

Once upon a time that style of bar were the go.  Those were the days men drank in bars.  Women drank in lounges.  Times have changed, but at some places bars haven’t.

A while ago a friend and I walked past a pub rather than going in.    The intention was to have dinner there.   From the footpath all I could see was an external tiled wall.  When looking up I could see through the window into the bar.  I was reminded of the old fashioned public bar. The lighting was bright.  I could see four, maybe five men sitting, or standing, against the bar, and a young female bar attendant chatting.  I could see no other patrons, no tables and chairs, and no other bars or rooms to give another perspective.

The entrance to the pub, a large double glass door revealed what  looked like a freshly painted but bare foyer, leading to some steps, leading elsewhere.  Unfortunately non of it inviting.

Not saying that the place looked like a mens room.  Far from it, but it wasn’t inviting.

Unfortunately not all pubs have a verandah with tables and chairs out the front, or even the place for a couple of plants for appeal.  Not all pubs have lovely large windows to show off their interior. So what could have made this pub more appealing?  Warm external lighting, (warm tones) rather than the cool white, blue tones of the minimal lighting outside.  Perhaps even some sort of etching on the plain glass doors, and a couple of plants or attractive piece of furniture in the foyer.

For a pub to become a favourite, I think it has to be inviting right from the entrance.

Country pubs, as here in the Southern Highlands have the luxury of being able to be just that, country.  But they still need to appeal.

A pub doesn’t have  to be luxurious to be appealing.  Reflecting the area they are in, is probably more appealing.  Producing an interior where locals, and tourists, both men and women enjoy being is what’s important.

A little nook for privacy, a couple of tables and chairs near the bar for those that want to observe, not necessarily participate.  Things visually interesting.  Windows, revealing some of what you came to the area to experience.   Photos, paintings, furniture and mirrors have all played a part in creating interest and at times a diversion from the not so attractive.

Decor is important, but there’s obviously more to what makes a pub a great pub.  In the next post I’ll look at some of the other essentials of What Makes a Great Pub.

What Makes A Pub A Great Pub?

What makes a great pub?

Is it the decore.  

Is it the layout of the pub.  Is it the view from its front verandah, or beer garden?

Is it the food? For that matter what should pub food be?  Should it be hamburgers and cook your own steak?

Is what makes a good pub, the hospitality offered by the staff?  Is it the general vibe of the place?

The followiing posts will explore that question.

Southern Highlands’ Autumn weather

Autumn weather in the Southern Highlands tends to rather cool.  This year we have been lucky here.   The weather has been glorious.  Sunny warm days that highlight the colours of Autumn.  Nights cool enough to remind you that you are in the Highlands.

Over the last day or two however, the weather has changed.  The sky has been grey.   Rain, and a wind with cold bite, is a reminder  that winter is just around the corner.  Aah, but winter also brings its beauty.

Burrawang prepares for Easter

The quiet picturesque village of Burrawang is preparing for its biggest day of the year.  Annually Burrawang hosts the Burrawang Easter Markets, an event that attracts thousands of people on the day.

Last night the local pub, the Burrawang Hotel was abuzz.  Most of the village and other highlands locals came to enjoy what is the regular Thursday night pizza night at the pub, as well as sea food raffles and  the local Fishing Club’s seafood munchies put on the bar.  I must say - best prawns I’ve had!

Good Friday is preparation day for the big day ahead.  The quiet before the storm.  But everyone loves it.

Autumn Rain

We’ve had an abundance of rain.  Around 6 inches in the last week, so I was told by one of the locals.  It hasn’t changed the desire for people, including myself  to be out and about.  The weather is still warm, although it cools down enough of an evening to throw on a jumper.    The bush is lush and green.  After the rain the Eucalypts smell incredible.

Gardens are still in bloom, and in mine it looks as though I may still have roses for a while yet.

Colour

The weather has still been warm enough to allow roses in the garden to bud and bloom without early morning frost burning their petals.

There is such an abundance of colour in the Southern Highlands at this time of year with flowers blooming  in gardens and the reds and oranges of the autumn.   We’ve had a bit of rain.  The grass is still green, and the Southern Highlands are stunning.

It’s well worth making the time to visit some of the open gardens on show at the moment.

First signs of Autumn

Although the temperature here of late has been very summery in the mid and high twenties, early signs of Autumn are visible.

In the small village of Burrawang the recently planted young Maple trees that now line the streets are revealing the first signs of Autumn, a promise of the beauty of many more Autumns to come as they grow to maturity and beyond.