Jaunted - Tag: Pub Travel

British Pub Crisis! UK Losing 52 Bars Per Week

BS — 2009-07-23T08:46:53-05:00

Here in the states, we’ve been keeping a close eye on what restaurants and bars are having trouble making it through the recession, but we figure not too many consumers are shedding tears, since it’s high-end eateries that seem to be having the most trouble.

But we’re hearing some frightening news from across the pond, where the hardest-hit businesses in Britain are also one of the country’s prime tourist draws: good old-fashioned pubs. Local pubs in the UK have been having such a rough go of it that a new report indicates they’re closing at the rate of 52 per week. Yep, that’s an astonishing 2,377 pubs lost in the past year!

San Francisco: Bar Alchemy at Alembic in San Francisco

EricRosen — 2009-03-17T15:25:16-05:00

Though it was the cradle of the counter-culture revolution in the ’60’s, Haight-Ashbury in San Francisco has become disappointingly gentrified of late. Between the bevy of “smoke” shops and thrift stores, you can even go shopping at the Gap and then chow down on Ben & Jerry’s. It’s about time that an establishment reintroduced the cool factor to the area, and that establishment is the Alembic Bar.

The cocktail menu at this speakeasy-ish bar is a bible of classic concoctions, specialty sips and innovative inebriators—all for $9 each. You can get a saucy Sazerac Old Fashioned, a puckery Pisco Sour, or an old seadog called a Poop Deck with cognac, port and blackberry brandy. Be sure to try one of the ever-changing “New School” tipples though.

Vancouver: 'Twilight' Vampire Spotted at Vancouver Pub

juliana — 2009-03-13T09:16:07-05:00

Why should you spend money on a Twilight Vampire Baseball Tour when you can probably just hit up some of the pubs in Vancouver for a chance to spot the only Vampire that you have eyes for--Edward Cullen played by British hotness Robert Pattinson.

Perez Hilton who is equally obsessed with Twilight and Pattinson (or perhaps, just the traffic they both drive to websites) posted a photo of Pattinson and a lucky fan at the Yaletown Brewery where apparently the entirely cast was knocking back a few drinks.

Ah yes, pubs are a wise choice for the cast because it can keep out most of their tween-adoring audience. (Heh, heh, but they can't keep us away! We're way over 21! Yes!)

The Yaletown Brewery is located at 1111 Mainland Street. It's been voted the Best Brewpub in Vancouver several years running and its also a 160-restaurant serving lunch and dinner. What gives us pause for concern is that it actually boasts about being a great place for after-work parties and corporate events. And now apparently, it can add Vampire covens to its list. But they probably aren't the ideal customers seeing as they don't drink or eat.

Related Stories:
· Yaletown Brewery [Official Site]
· Twilight Vampire Baseball Tour'Twilight' Geeks can now play in Vampire Baseball Adventure [Jaunted]

[Photo: We Love Edward]

Beer For A Penny (But You'll Have To Go North)

juliab — 2009-02-17T12:29:23-05:00

If we had a choice of going anywhere in the world, we wouldn’t normally have the (supposedly) grim north of England high up on our list. After all, it was only last year that a government think tank called time on the region, suggesting that its residents should move down south to London.

But we’re getting majorly tempted to schedule a weekend break since the News of the World reported this weekend that six chain pubs up there were knocking out pints for just 1 penny (yup, $0.014).

There is a catch, of course – to get your 1p Tetley’s you have to buy a house shot of gin, whisky or vodka first, but they only cost �1.89. And if you’re not up for the spirits, you can pay a straight �1.39 for the beer – which will cost �3 and up in most pubs.

Of course, health campaigners and the police are up in arms, because some drinkers are binging on more in a day than they should in a week. But the rest of us are hoping – given that it’s being run by the Dukedom chain, which owns 32 pubs across the UK – that it catches on down south. Until then, you need to get to the chain’s venues in Barnsley, Redcar, Stockton and Nelson. Although we’d warn you against Nelson. We probably wouldn’t go there even if you bought us those shots.

Related Stories:
· Pub Travel [Jaunted]
· A PUB chain pulling in customers with beer at a PENNY a pint [News of the World]

Los Angeles: Where Is the Best Happy Hour in Downtown LA?

Omri — 2009-02-09T14:23:13-05:00

Take the 400,000 people who commute into downtown Los Angeles every weekday. At 4:30pm every day, present them with this little brainteaser: either you can sit on the freeway for two hours inhaling smog while the seconds of your life slowly tick way or you can throw back a few cocktails at one of downtown's fine dining establishments.

The resulting situation is what economists refer to as a "market opportunity" and predictably there are a number of restaurants that have opened after-work happy hours in recent years. These are much-needed bright spots in the lives of those who have to work in downtown LA and the unlucky business travelers who have to shack up there instead of Santa Monica or Beverly Hills.

That said, we sought out the best happy hour in downtown LA and it all comes down to the cheeseburger.

London: Winehouse May Be Gone, But The Hawley's Still Rocking

juliab — 2009-02-04T14:52:32-05:00

Since she’s been menacing the Caribbean since December, Amy Winehouse hasn’t graced London with her presence for a while. Most of us are rejoicing that we don’t have to see her nightly escapades in the papers every day. But it’s a bit of a blow for The Hawley Arms. The Camden pub is her local drinking hole, and whenever Amy’s around, it’s guaranteed to get mentioned in the press.

But for us lot, Amy’s absence could be a good thing. Because it means that, instead of being crammed with journalists feigning nonchalance as they stalk the Winehouse, you might even get a seat.

UT: Drinking in Utah: It Can Be Done

egw — 2009-01-26T11:10:55-05:00

Did you know you can drink in Utah? The Beehive State has a puritanical reputation due to its majority of Mormons, who don't smoke, drink or Starbucks it up, but that doesn't stop you from drinking. And as this weekend's New York Times travel section points out, a little resistance can mean better beer from the state microbreweries.

Writer Vanessa Chang visited several brew pubs, defined by Utah law as a place where beers produced on site are served, and discovered that yes, Utahns do drink beer. Other options for drinking include taverns, which can sell any beer under 4 percent alcohol by volume, restaurants, where beer drinkers must also buy food, or "private clubs" which charge a membership fee to enter their full bars.

The Times recommends Uinta Brewery (1722 S. Fremont Dr. in Salt Lake City) and Wasatch Brew Pub (250 Main Street in tony Park City) for their delicious eats and local brews. So where's your favorite place to drink in Utah?

Related Stories:
· Brew Pubs Gain A Foothold In Utah [NYTimes]
· UT Liquor Laws Explained [Utah Beer]
· Drinking coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: toprankblog]