What's the worst pub you have ever been in?
Posted by richbart1234@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 265 comments
I was giving a lift home to an ex girlfriends brother and he wanted to stop at this pub in Leeds to pick something up. I was 18 so agreed, while we were in there a guy walked in and shot the landlord.
stripped-2020@reddit
Jesters, Southampton. Everything was so sticky and dirty - I didn't want to drink out of the glass, touch the doors, lean on the bar... and the toilets were like something out of Trainspotting.
Nervous_Difficulty_6@reddit
Jesters, Southampton, circa 2013-14.
The males toilet door fell off, so the bouncers just took it out, and put it on the street outside.
There was a glass on the bar with a human shit in it, no idea why.
A lot of people wore wellies in there, as the floor was as sticky as Bonnie Blues vag.
I saw a girl get on a table and start to strip (no idea why). Couldn’t get her bra back on, and then fell backwards off the table.
BUT… They did 50p pints on a Monday and that included cider and black. So it was basically 50p for snake bites. Fucking disgusting place, but my god I’d love to go back and do one more night there. What a place.
SeoulGalmegi@reddit
50p pints in 2013?!?!?
That's insane. The best I ever saw further back in the early noughties was pound a pint in Scream pubs or student unions or something.
geese_moe_howard@reddit
20p a pint in The Marksman in West Bromwich back in 2010.
SeoulGalmegi@reddit
That's insane!
How was that a thing? Just an absolute loss leader one night of the week to attract new customers or something?
Was there any limit to the number of drinks you could get? I've never seen a pint anywhere near as cheap in my life!
geese_moe_howard@reddit
It was only on Carling and the Landlord was in a price-war with the Polish bar down the street. He was in The Sun newspaper as serving the cheapest pint in the UK and at one stage he was threatening 10p a pint. Police shut the place down eventually due to the amount of drug busts and violence at the premises.
A few years later the landlord was done for noncing up two schoolgirls.
SeoulGalmegi@reddit
Thanks for sending me down that rabbit hole! It seems like the 20p pint was the threat/promise and the lowest it actually got to was 40-something pence - but still far and away as cheap as I've heard in the UK over my lifetime!
Horrific ending though, with the pub itself and the landlord.
Nervous_Difficulty_6@reddit
Well, I’m 34 now and I was at uni from 21, so yeah 13 years ish ago! The place was PACKED every Monday. It was shit lager though, literally Foster’s or Carling/Carlsberg I think? But hey, no one was complaining 😂😂
Admirable_Resist111@reddit
I was there 2012-2015, cider used to be Strongbow but didn't it swith to Thatchers Gold. The superior of the 2. Too many Jesticles (the colour of which was different every time you drank one), I don't remember a lot. Baywatch every night with everyone swinging their tops in the air.
SeoulGalmegi@reddit
Packed? I imagine haha
Happy days lol
FitSolution2882@reddit
They were definitely doing it in 2010 from what I remember. Wonder what it is now...
Joe_Kinincha@reddit
In the late ‘90s Cadillacs in Bath did 60p pints on a Monday night. It was shite lager and I am sure it was watered down, but god damn it was popular. The gents overflowed and flooded the dance floor most Mondays by about 11.30pm
Speedbird223@reddit
Jesters was one of the places for student nightlife when I was at Southampton in the early 2000s, but I seem to have been one of the few who never ventured there. I know a few people who went there once in my first year and described how awful it was and that was enough for me…
It sounds like, somehow, it got worse in the 10yrs after I left!
failsworth@reddit
Is that the comedy club by the entrance of the bargate shopping centre. I was frequenting it as a student in the early 2000s too, if its the place im thinking of, quick trip upto the square balloon after, then upto Bedford place then finally ending up at Ikon down by the cinema. Crazy times.
Setting-Remote@reddit
Jesters is the one in Bevois Valley, just down from The Hobbit.
theredwoman95@reddit
No, Jester's is one of the pubs on Bevois Valley Road, the same road where the Hobbit and Sobar are.
Speedbird223@reddit
I think that was Jongleurs. Went there a few times.
Far too many a Wednesday night at Ikon 🤣. Always went to Jumpin’ Jacks downstairs first since they opened up the doors to go straight up into Ikon so you got to skip any line that may have been outside. I remember on student nights you could get Smirnoff Red Bulls for £2, or no-name vodka and no-name Red Bull for £1.
Nervous_Difficulty_6@reddit
Hahaha yeah man. I unfortunately (or fortunately) ended up there numerous times during my first degree.
As any student knows, you’re poor as fuck. Those 50p pint Mondays were a blessing. It was grim as fuck, but I had so many laughs in there
Fine_Ninja_8695@reddit
Jesters still lives. It’s had a bit of a make over but ironically still looks just as terrible. The four corners challenge reigns strong. I don’t think they do bay watch anymore
SquishyPint@reddit
I do remember a a brief period when it was acceptable to have a 4 pint pitcher in each hand on the dance floor - saved queueing at the bar and £4 well spent 🤣
Probably for the best they stopped doing that
SquishyPint@reddit
Anyone else remember the Wessex Ranger cocktail?
Superb_Copy1644@reddit
I remember this place. None of this is hyperbole
Kyber92@reddit
One of my mates at Uni was from down that way, he had some legendary stories about Jesters
AOHarness@reddit
Everyone had a pair of Jester shoes. I miss Jester juice, too.
notnewscorp@reddit
I never went to a Southampton university or lived in Southampton in those days but I still had a pair of jesters shoes
GosmeisterGeneral@reddit
Jesticles!
ouzo84@reddit
Lived my entire adult life in Southampton.
Absolutely no way you world convince me to go to jesters.
I went in once and immediately turned around and walked out. I can't remember exactly what made me do that, but it just felt wrong
FitSolution2882@reddit
This right here. I have several memories of the place - ironic, considering how much I drank.
BreadfruitOk5332@reddit
Yeah Jesters is the worst I’ve been to by an absolute mile.
Lived in Southampton most of my life and lived near Jesters for 6 years in the early 2000s. Still only went there once.
Once was enough.
jimmybiggles@reddit
did you have the four corners challenge when you were there?
you had to piss, shit, spunk, and vomit in each corner. one of those uni "legends/rumours" that would float about 🤣 did see someone taking a piss and a shit before, and obviously a few chuns. must've missed the other one...
GosmeisterGeneral@reddit
Did you ever do the gold card challenge?
Once a year in the summer they had a “cider festival” which was basically just an excuse to open during the day and have bands play in the smoking area.
You got a stamp on the way in and if you stayed for 12 hours (1pm - 1am), you won a Jesters Gold Card which is free entry for a year. I think you got one or two 15 minute breaks to run to the chicken shop for food too.
Did it once. Never again!
king_liz@reddit
been uni in soton from 2022-2025 and went in jesters loads, its a bit shite but that kinda adds to the charm and all in all it was generally a great night out. The floor and toilets are absolute filth but i never saw a shit in any glasses 🤣🤣
dankydank5@reddit
I actually lived with someone who left a shit in a glass on the bar there! But it was 08. Some things must be cyclical
beerforbears@reddit
Yes! Jesters was a nightmare. When I was a student someone from my class went there and got his neck gashed open because someone mistook him for someone else (drug dealer violence or something).
Fuckin hellhole
Nervous_Difficulty_6@reddit
Fuck, that’s bad. Never saw any violence. Other than uni of students winding Solent students up and vice versa 😂
JackXDark@reddit
God I miss that place.
Nervous_Difficulty_6@reddit
You and me both, buddy! Is it still open? I’ve no idea. I don’t wanna Google it and be sad about it 😂
Lux-Umbris@reddit
Yeah somehow it is still going
Ydrahs@reddit
The venue was for sale a while ago, I doubt it's coming back. Shame really, it was a wonderful, terrible place.
Nervous_Difficulty_6@reddit
Wonderfully said. A wonderful, terrible place 😂
Nervous_Difficulty_6@reddit
It’s temporarily closed…! Noooooooo.
I reckon between all of us in this thread, we could revive it, for one night, and one night only.
johnnyjoypads@reddit
I think it was the 50p pints that might explain the why
Nervous_Difficulty_6@reddit
Haha probably
deadly__mouse@reddit
It was a long time ago (2003ish), but this brings back memories. Clowns for afternoon drinks. Jesters for the nightclub?
Was a complete student shithole. Quad vod and coke for £2
Nervous_Difficulty_6@reddit
Clowns!!!! Yesssssss. Fuck I forgot about their quad vods.
I think you’ve just brought back a hangover from around 13 years ago, fuck you
creamyjoshy@reddit
Jesters was absolutely fucking fantastic and don't you disgrace this thread with your slander.
You can complete 5 stamps from the hobbit before going to brave yourself up before you add to the piss pyramid of stacked urinal pint glasses in the boys bathroom
richbart1234@reddit (OP)
Hahahahaha wtf
Literary_Fiend@reddit
Funky Monkey in Dover circa 2012. Stumbled in as it was the only place open late on a weeknight when staying over ahead of an early ferry and first surprise was not being allowed to spend actual money at the bar and instead having to convert cash to 'monkey dollars'. Not sure of the exchange rate and needless to say, leftovers at the end could not be changed back! Witnessed multiple fights between groups of women including upending tables. Also i recall a carpeted floor in the womens' toilets accompanied by people shitting with the cubicle doors open. ...but vodka and coke for only two monkey dollars, who can complain!!
Responsible_News577@reddit
Cann'ae Mans Edinburgh
dinkidoo7693@reddit
I don’t know the name, my ex lived in hucknall and he kept saying it was a better night out than round here so I stayed over one weekend we went out at 8pm on the Saturday, first pub was like a WMC full of old people, apparently bingo had just finished. Next pub had no music. 3rd pub was more modern and had an almost empty dance-floor with a few pissed up older women on it and a DJ it was about 9pm and he kept announcing that it was a big payday Saturday night and they were now open until midnight.
It wasn’t a good night out, but the last pub was awful, it had a nasty musty smell and after we ordered a fight broke out right behind us and i nearly got glassed in the crossfire so my ex got involved, about 20 lads joined in and it turned into a brawl, chairs were thrown around, windows smashed, I think someone broke his leg, blood everywhere, I hid behind the bar with a member of staff, the police turned up, not sure how my ex wasn’t arrested. Absolutely terrifying and not a good pub/nightout at all.
The place isn’t a pub anymore i think it’s a co-op or similar.
Available_Equal_3056@reddit
I lived in Hucknall in 80s and 90s. Hot summer Friday and Saturday nights it ised to kick off big time. Saw a copper on his horse bend low and ride into the pub. Think it was The Plough id I remember correctly
richbart1234@reddit (OP)
Holy shit. That's a fucking story!! I think you win. I went to a work thing in Mansfield a couple of months ago and the train broke down in Hucknall. I can confirm it's still shite.
Bad_UsernameJoke94@reddit
I used to work in the Tesco there, and when going for the tram home I had to walk past an old guy who was shitting off the edge of the platform onto the tracks.
dinkidoo7693@reddit
At the time I lived in a town where you necked a drink in one pub and rolled right into the pub next door and they were all open late, there was 4 nightclubs open til the early hours at the time too so hucknall was quite boring until that last pub which was scary AF.
richbart1234@reddit (OP)
Hahaha fucking hell. I'm only just getting used to notts. Your from derby aren't you 😂
dinkidoo7693@reddit
God no derby is a dump too
richbart1234@reddit (OP)
Hahahaha yeah it is.
Nice1rodders@reddit
Give me a shot hole any day. I lived in st Alban's for a bit and there are plenty that charge a tenna for a pint just because it's in a fancy glass and you are sitting on a new chair.
hesonthemoon@reddit
The Jet Leamington Spa, pretty sure it's an EDL pub
Martipar@reddit
I lived in Leamington for many years, i know the pub. I never went in as i knew the area it's in well enough to know to stay away. Down one of the side streets there is a house that did and probably still does have glass in cement on top of the wall. It's not a place I'd go to after dark, even during the day it felt eerie.
DrChonk@reddit
Not sure it counts as a pub but I've been in Jesters (Southampton) in the daylight...
louilou96@reddit
this has been mentioned in a few comments, I'm very intrigued
DrChonk@reddit
Its a very special experience, nothing quite like having special shoes specifically for Jesters because its so vile in there that you'll ruin anything that touches a surface! Them cheap Jesticles (iirc they did £1 ones when I was there, and some 50p/shot nights as well) and lack of any discernable safety made for a shockingly fun time as a broke student. The two toilet stall in the loo was also a trip, usually it was one of the only ones whose door wasn't broken or where the toilet was replaced with a bulging bin bag! Though tbf most of the lads used the floor as a urinal lol, the four corners challenge was also fucking wild, I don't doubt someone has completed it...
louilou96@reddit
this sounds insane I love it
BitterOtter@reddit
I spent many, many nights in there as a student 30 years ago. At no point would I ever have considered going in in daylight or sober.
DrChonk@reddit
You made the right call - I did both back in undergrad... I'm sure there's enough alcohol and boozy sweat/piss in the air to make even a sober person tipsy (or maybe thats a huge cope because what the actual fuck was i doing going there sober)
BitterOtter@reddit
Back in my day it was 50p a pint of fosters. Not convinced the alcohol content was all that, hence then double figure amounts of pints consumed. Also the 4 pint just if sangria in clowns before hand probably did the job the fosters was supposed to do. In truth, we had many good times in there but my god it was a dingy little dump really
cripblip@reddit
I remember the juicy Lucy cocktail from clowns, vodka, orange juice, blue curaco - turned bright green, remember seeing that in the reverse direction a few times, still in its cheery shade of green.
The chip shop/Chinese takeaway next to the hobbit was great, many a chips and curry sauce consumed from there.
Jesters was crazy, remember seeing a member of staff unblocking the toilets one night wearing a black rubber glove up to his shoulder, pay must have been amazing.
Getting off topic for bars, but anyone remember valley kebabs nearby ?
BitterOtter@reddit
Yes!!!! I forgot about the Juicy Lucy. I remember one night then ran out of blue curaco so we made something else up - it had 7 shots of memory serves, albeit some of those were those weird 20% abv things like taboo and whatever the other one that was like taboo was; might have had a double vodka since they were only a quid in happy hour but thankfully I don't remember that much about it. We topped it up with tango in a pint glass and it didn't taste alcoholic so we called it the chameleon because it would get you plastered pretty damn fast.
cripblip@reddit
The charcoal grill crispy chicken sandwich was amazing !
Nervous_Difficulty_6@reddit
Mate I’ve left a comment saying Jesters as well and about the 50p pints, fucking great it was hahaha.
Did you do the 50p snakebites as well?
BitterOtter@reddit
I don't recall those. We used to do happy hour in clowns first (4 pints sangria, 4 pints of chosen beer or cider and some doubles for a quid a go) then down to jesters for whatever else we could manage. Sometimes we'd go to the Hobbit instead via the chippie in between, but mostly it would be jesters and then some level of oblivion
Nervous_Difficulty_6@reddit
The Hobbit was alright to be fair, they’d put absolutely anything on that Juke box!
4 pints Sangria though haha. My god, what a blast from the past.
BitterOtter@reddit
No idea what went into it, probably industrial cheapo wine and lemonade, maybe some vodka I'm really not sure. Made chundering a bit colourful
VeryTrueThing@reddit
Back street pub in South London. Zulu playing on the big screen. Landlord upstairs, so the only regular in at the time popped behind the bar and served me.
shitthrower@reddit
Was in a pub in Chorlton, Manchester, a man serendipitously put a knife up against my back, walked me to the bar and made me order a £120 round of drinks
LEDBRIDGE666@reddit
A pub in Carmarthenshire Wales that was somebodys front room.
A pub in Blackburn where outsiders were not welcome.
The Six Chimneys Wakefield (spoons) that was equally as good as it was bad, next-door to a pub where at 5pm the locals were so smashed they were dancing on the tables.
Deep_Banana_6521@reddit
Penny Black in Sheffield.
Not been in in 10+ years but when I did once whilst waiting with my friend for his bus home (it's next to the bus station) a bloke was stood at the bar next to me, yelling to his mate (he was pissed) about how much he hated black people and "P*kis" and his phone had a swastika on it. Barman was laughing along as he was talking.
I occasionally used to use the post office next door to the Penny Black to collect parcels and about 50% of the time I walked past it, just incoherent piss heads just blathering rubbish outside, acting threatening to people smaller than them.
GrouchyAlps612@reddit
The town crier in digbeth or the borough hotel in Southend on sea
hoganpaul@reddit
"pub in Leeds" Sounds like the Gaiety?
deltree000@reddit
Bouncer told us not to leave the pub because the local youths outside had just threatened them with a submachine gun. Globe in East London.
richbart1234@reddit (OP)
Did you leave?
snootbob@reddit
Still there to this day
deltree000@reddit
Nope, we got some free shots to "make up for the inconvenience".
Bigallround@reddit
So either way, you were gonna get some shots inside you
richbart1234@reddit (OP)
Excellent. Commited to the night. Respect. And apologies.
peteyourdoom@reddit
I had something similar in my town. Something was kicking off outside, so the bouncer just locked all the doors. We ended up stopping well past closing. It was actually a good night.
Other bar I used to go to (ran by my ex's father). Invasion from a biker gang looking for someone there. They were going to stab him. People were getting out of any exit going.
BillWilberforce@reddit
Morning Lane, Hackney?
deltree000@reddit
Mile End. Think it's called the Cherry now.
BillWilberforce@reddit
It is, they've painted over the globe on the roof to make it look like a cherry and painted over the brickwork that said "The New Globe. But it's still highly visible.
Whulad@reddit
Used to be the Globe and the New Globe in Mile End
northernmonkey9@reddit
Used to live in the flats just behind that place! Wasnt too bad early doors but every friday and saturday turned into the O. K. Corral.
Bellatrixforqueen@reddit
Look up the three legs in Leeds
Lufc87@reddit
I think The Duncan is the worst in Leeds
Barleybrigade@reddit
I wouldn't necessarily say the Duncan was particularly dangerous though. It is more that it's just the single most soul destroying place on Earth. May be both though I've only been in a handful of times haha.
zzkj@reddit
On the Headrow? Not that bad and I've been in since the 80s. There's much, MUCH worse out in Dewsbury.
richbart1234@reddit (OP)
Hahahahhahahhahhahhahahhahhahaha is that enough? Hahahahahhahahaha ...
I know it ....
Bellatrixforqueen@reddit
There was recently a post on Hoot or Leeds List on Instagram about it and I spent a good hour reading the comments. Absolutely sensational. And petrifying
richbart1234@reddit (OP)
From what I gather, an acquaintance is a local, you wouldn't stay for more than one unless you know people
MazerTanksYou@reddit
My local as a teenager was known locally as the 2 shot. Because 2 people got shot there. The off licence sold me cider when I was 12.
Oh shit sorry.. You asked for worst pub..
Airport Bar Belfast International Airport
MattyFTM@reddit
I play for a pub darts team in Sunderland, so we visit some interesting venues for away games. One pub we played in was always a bit of a dive. It's in the rougher end of Sunderland and you can tell. But it was always OK for darts, the team were friendly enough and we were in the back room which was nicely furnished.
They had a fire in the back room (possibly an insurance job, but that's pure speculation) so the next time we were there the place was practically closed. The back room was off limits, the toilets were flooded, the lighting was very dim and even though it was just the two darts teams in the main bar, it was a small room with barely enough room. Went to the bar, all shite beer and no bottles. Ordered a pint of Tetley's, they poured it from the John Smiths pump. The next person ordered a John Smiths. They poured it from the John Smiths pump. I have no idea what we were drinking but I don't think it was John Smiths or Tetley's. I only had one pint the entire time we were there.
It has since closed down and been demolished.
Darkmelon12_@reddit
If it was in Hendon it’s either drugs or insurance job. Used to live on the edge of Hendon and the East end near the centre. Loads of fires going off all the time
MattyFTM@reddit
Actually the one pub in Hendon we regularly went to was the Hendon Grange and they are one of the nicer pubs. Well furnished, staff very friendly and accommodating, nice throw at the dartboard, a lovely roaring hot fire going in the winter. Beer on tap is shite, but that's pretty much all of the pubs we go to apart from one or two (shout-out to The Avenue who have a lovely selection of real ales), but they always had bottles of Double Maxim so no complaints there. Unfortunately they've closed recently too.
ThatNiceDrShipman@reddit
Rifles. I used to work there.
https://www.closedpubs.co.uk/middlesex/enfield_rifles.html
up2nogooduk@reddit
Do a late shift nextdoor, then try and get a few pints down your neck before the drive home. Happy days.
richbart1234@reddit (OP)
That looks lovely
UnderHisEye1411@reddit
Bare knuckle boxing pub in Essex. Genuinely feared for my life
Ill_Ad_791@reddit
Twelfth man, Egbaston, Birmingham
Beer-Code-1664@reddit
Shirley inn
BeingIll5357@reddit
The three legs in Leeds
AdMaleficent6813@reddit
The Rubber Duck in Liverpool but in the 90s.
bronsonrider@reddit
Worked in a pub in Hornchurch London that was frequented by some right tasty geezers. CID came in once to talk to one of em, the rest just walked out and came back in laughing, they’d gone outside and put the cop car on its side. The 3 guys who ended up dead in a Range Rover in Essex drank there, was rampant with drugs, violence every night, bouncers carried ammonia in jif lemons to squirt at people, popular with a certain group of football hooligans, West Ham, and I saw more blood in that pub than you’d see in an abattoir
fozzie1984@reddit
Yellow wagtail - Yeovil , got threatened to all have our legs broken if we won our pool match against them
Green Dragon - Gosport , used to pay kids to rob from the local shops to get stuff for their meat raffle
AdMaleficent6813@reddit
Spot the Matelot!
There were some rough one's in Gosport and Portsmouth.
Responsible_Dog_9491@reddit
Gattis Bar by Southampton Bargate, around 1980. Absolutely packed shoulder to shoulder. Girl wanted to get to her boyfriend who was the other side of the bar so the crowd passed her over their heads. On the way, one customer ( not a youngster) pulled her pants to one side and muffed her in front of everyone.
Shoddy_Pilot_2737@reddit
Maybe not worst, but the weirdest pub I've been in was The Station in Leeds. Was up there for my brother's wedding and went in for a few pints. Only pub I've been in where I was the tallest person in there. I'm five foot nine 🤣
Expensive-Article328@reddit
The Sir George Robey by Finsbury Park station. Only pub I've ever been in with tables & chairs bolted to the floor.
azrael_of_the_grail@reddit
Despite being locally listed it was torn down about 12 years ago- its a premier inn now
guiscardv@reddit
That’s more to do with it being a pub to drink at before the Arsenal game. I went in a couple of times and it wasn’t awful
richbart1234@reddit (OP)
Embarrassing
Scared-Room-9962@reddit
Got a full bottle of lager thrown at the back of my head at The Black Prince in South Shields.
It was Christmas day.
I wasn't in the pub, just walking past with my headphones on.
I was 16.
MrD-88@reddit
My local, theres a video doing the rounds of a fight breaking out and someone getting twatted with a pool cue in there a few christmases ago. Its called the Derby now
Zorolord@reddit
Percy Arms in Percy main, service was appalling there had virtually nothing on draught. Psycho German/Belgian Shepherd behind the bar. When me and my uncle finally sat down for a pint the whole bar was quiet. We drank our pints quickly and high tailed out of there.
WayoftheBear@reddit
The Harp, West Croydon.
en70uk@reddit
Brown bear in Sheffield
It’s a Sam smiths pub that’s full of old people glaring at each other and the whole place has a weird smell
I_up_voted_u@reddit
It's alright in there and has a good atmosphere and good for celeb spotting when the snooker world championship is on. Toilets do smell though, and Sam Smiths beers are hit and miss.
Icy_Distribution3467@reddit
The bird in hand in Bridgwater. Full of Pirates
ConnectionPlus7415@reddit
Spoons in Folkstone,riddled with desperate and shaking alcoholics,9 am.
Icy_Distribution3467@reddit
Surprised half of them can even make it up the steps
ConnectionPlus7415@reddit
Yeh it does have steps,sounds familiar to you.
Spottyjamie@reddit
Got asked my religion in one in glasgow not far from celtic’s ground
I was a naive english 17 year old
Emergency_nap_needed@reddit
Don't remember the name but there was a pub in Birmingham that was off the beaten track but still city centre that a mate dragged me into. It was tiny and there was a guy in his 50s drinking who looked like he was planning to kill us. The barman clearly didn't want us there, and all that was available to drink was Bells Whiskey or John Smiths bitter. That was it. I had THE worst pint ever and we left. I swear it was a cover for a crime syndicate.
TheBobbyMan9@reddit
The Dog and Gun in Croxteth in Liverpool. I would be surprised if any pub anyone else suggested is as bad as this one.
Pyrex_Living@reddit
There was a pub in Birmingham I use to go to with mates some time ago when I was 18/19, can’t remember the name it’s closed now but they had metal detectors at the door. So people would leave their weapons (mainly knives) in a big bush outside. Shake the bush and knives would fall out
FornyHucker22@reddit
it had a couch out front 😐
LunaWabohu@reddit
Was it Three Legs?
JeffSergeant@reddit
Walked into a flat-roof put near Stafford, one of the locals just looked at me and said "wrong pub". He was right.
CheshireCatastrophe@reddit
I wonder what exactly constitutes as making a pub not welcoming to outsiders? Was it called the Salty Spitoon by chance?
BrieflyVerbose@reddit
There's one in the village I grew up in. The village has a beast of a beach (it's famous, and has featured in some films too), and even though the area isn't very touristy the beach is still super busy. There are other areas that are more suited for tourists, this village 100% does not.
The pub in the village was not welcoming at all. We ALL know each other, we all went through school together. It's a bit of a rough place but if you're from there then you're alright. I did work experience for BT in school and there was always a sign in each exchange reminding people to lock the doors when they entered, the one I saw in my own village said in pen at the bottom "Especially here in (village name), crime capital of (county)" which still makes me laugh to this day!
Back when I was a teenager you simply wouldn't get the tourists coming in. People struggled to settle in the village if they bought a house, nevermind just passing through the pub in the evening.
Things have changed a little over time, the place isn't as hostile. But the village has a bad reputation that it can't shake. Like I've lived in another town 20 minutes down the road, and seen a huge brawl outside the pub there - it went on for ages and no cops showed up as the place is quite nice. But one argument in street in my village amd the cops would send multiple cars to deal with the most boring things. They always did this.
maxamus83@reddit
Cops
pharmer25@reddit
How tough are ya?
Xaavuza@reddit
Exact same experience but in Stoke.
BrieflyVerbose@reddit
Fucking hell, I've got a VERY similar story. Happened about 18 years ago as it was the week of my 21st birthday.
There was an MMA show on, just locals fighting. I wasn't fighting and I wasn't cornering, I was only there to support my friends. Arrived a bit early to the venue to help set up but I actually wasn't needed that much so my cousin and I fucked off and found a pub down the road to start early.
Same thing, walked into the pub and somebody immediately looked at us and said "You're in the wrong place" and my cousin immediately said "No, I'm exactly where I need to be", before telling me to sit down while he walks to the bar. That's when everyone looked at us.
So I walk over to the pool table, I was thinking if anyone did anything then I'll be damaging the pool cues and not my hands but in the end nobody actually said or did anything to us. We were actually left alone so we stayed as long as we needed to be there.
hdhxuxufxufufiffif@reddit
They weren't explicitly told "wrong pub" but it was definitely implicit. My mate and his colleague went for a lunchtime pint in a pub near their office in Salford maybe twenty years ago and when the colleague was in the bogs, a local came up and grobbed in his pint. As soon as he returned they both legged it back to the safety of their office.
No-Tone-6853@reddit
I’ve been living round the corner from a pub like that all my life, mum went there all her youth and occasionally still does. Would love if it felt more welcoming but the clientele are all cunts.
CharieRarie@reddit
Mine is similar. Me and my housemates were out checking out the locals. Walked in to one and it was like a cowboy film. Dead silence and everyone just staring. One of my roommates ordered us all a half of cider, which we gulped down asap and fled! Nothing actually happened but I don’t think anyone spoke the whole time we were there, super creepy.
GlenOneN@reddit
Visiting my wifes family in Sheffield. We did a bit of shopping first. Walked in to a pub, the door hadn't even shut and a dreadlock guy asks us what we are selling. He was on something. Not sure what but he was very hyper. We stayed for a half. No idea why. I needed a pee before we left. The barman recommended I don't touch anything in the toilet. I walk in and there's a guy with a needle hanging out of his arm. I've never peed so quickly. We told her step dad about the pub and he said we were lucky we weren't mugged or beaten up because this pub is where the druggies go to. I forget the name of the pub unfortunately but I'm never going in a pub in Sheffield again.
Top-Lawfulness6711@reddit
A pub called Boot (not Boots, or the Boot, just Boot) about 5 mins from St Pancras station. Actually really hard to describe the oppressive feeling or the decor. The landlady, who was actually lovely, looked and sounded like a 19th century maiden. The 3 lads playing pool just looked insane. 1 pint and I was gone. Thrilling.
Heeeliaz@reddit
I have two. One on Barry, Wales. It was around Xmas day in 2019, we had a weekend off in Wales and we wanted to go for a drink and found this pub near the quay in Barry, I don’t remember the name but the place was fully booked as they were having a Xmas party, so we ended up sitting at the bar area.
5 mins in and a woman, very nice btw, came to us and asked: are you English? We said no, and shared our nationalities and she luckily relaxed a lot. She did say: “you’re the only people not from here, everyone knows you’re from elsewhere”.
We ended up drinking shots and she introduced us to some friends of her, we chatted a lot but it was a bit of a tension night.
The other pub was in Belfast, I’m not sure the name but it’s around the town centre, very old pub (white outside) and very dark inside, clearly a pub just for locals.
We were looking for a place to eat and as we enter to speak to the staff in the bar area, a man said “you seem pretty lost”, the bar staff was nice, but she said “we don’t sell food sorry” then proceeds to ask us “where a you from and why you ended up here (as in that pub).
The environment in tha pub was a bit intimidating tho. We only stayed for like five mins and then left.
strattad@reddit
The Dulcimer, Chorlton, Manchester deserves a mention. It's not actually a bad place but it's infamous in the area for having a manager who's basically a such grade A cunt, that it's hilarious.
Reading Google reviews on the place is one of my favourite past-times because most of them are absolutely scathing because of him and him only. For the record I don't actually think it is a bad place and I've never had a run in with the bloke, but I reckon some people would definitely have picked it for their worst pub experience.
ringerrosy@reddit
Comedy gold, those reviews. Makes me want to go and experience the welcome.
rum-and-roses@reddit
It was the jester's something in Cornwall the roof fell onto my head and even worse into my pint
CityOfNorden@reddit
Been in some shitholes, been punched for no reason etc. The one that stands out though is The Head of Steam in Sheffield. Perfectly nice place, the staff served my two mates and completely blanked me. I stood there for 5 minutes, trying to catch their attention. There was nobody else in there and they acted like I didn't exist, actively ignoring me. Absolutely bizarre.
Its baffled me for years. I have no idea what they were at.
richbart1234@reddit (OP)
Sorry that might of been me. Apologies. I worked there for 6 months. I didn't care.
deleted_by_reddit@reddit
[removed]
CityOfNorden@reddit
Also, I'd fucking love it if it was you on the bar when this occurred.
No-Garbage9500@reddit
Can't remember what it was called, but in my early 20s a few uni mates met up in London to catch up and have a meal and few drinks.
Had a good time, then when we got off the tube near the hotel there were me and 2 others left going to the same place, pub right there, we said ok why not one more.
It was busy in a 3/4 tables sat, nobody standing kind of way, but the atmosphere was - we only noticed by the the time we got to the bar - cold at absolute best, I'd have said actively hostile.
Now in hindsight, as someone more likely to be sat at the table and thinking "oh hell" when some drunk early 20s lads walk in, I can sort of understand feeling iffy about us, but we were just standard guys, no drugs, keeping to ourselves, just wanted a round of drinks before bed.
We bought some pints and I swear they must have had one line specially reserved for the occasion because it was foul, like deliberately rancid. We sat by the door, and once we'd all taken more than one sip to confirm they were disgusting, basically stood up and left by unspoken agreement.
Had some shoddy pubs, but that one is by far the worst I've ever been to. Couldn't tell you where it was now though, just some shit hole in London.
richbart1234@reddit (OP)
I struggled to read that if I'm honest. Are you saying the dodgiest pub you have been in was in London and it was because the beer was kept poorly?
No-Garbage9500@reddit
Apologies, the pub might have influenced my writing.
I've tried to clear it up a bit, but yes the dodgiest pub was in London, and it did have shit beer, but I mention it because it was an otherwise busy pub that the atmosphere turned weird when we walked into it.
I didn't think we were a particularly bad crew (just 3 moderately drunk Standard Issue Guys) but the fact the atmosphere got weird, that it was otherwise busy, and that we got served the shittest pint known to man makes me think they really, really didn't want us there and they actually had a shitty beer line ready to deploy against people they didn't want there.
It stays in my memory for a few reasons:
Incitatus_For_Office@reddit
Task failed successfully.😅
Where's the trepidation?! The promise of violence?! The emotional scars of the sheer sank of the place?
SKRYVAKRAS@reddit
I’ve never been but it’s probably some place in Sheffield I’d guess
LongjumpingCurve1869@reddit
Bat and Ball Brighton... proper good you wipe your feet on the way out
nomanhasaplan@reddit
Fucking stinks of piss in there too
LongjumpingCurve1869@reddit
Lol, it's all the leaking incontinence bags from the k crowd...
richbart1234@reddit (OP)
Hahaha. I've been to Brighton once for work. I wasn't taken there. Sounds lovely.
Nice-Goose-7599@reddit
It was a pub that is now closed in my old local village called The Wingrove. It was where all the people who had been barred from all the other pubs in town went and it was rough as the inside of a badgers anus.
I walked in there and within 15 minutes and had to get out of a conversation with a man who was talking about how he and his brother were debt collectors for dealers and had drilled someones spine.
To this day, I don't know if it was true but I've never wanted to be out of anywhere faster without making it clear that is the reason why I was off.
ChangingMonkfish@reddit
A pub in Rochdale the name of which I can’t remember.
But it was in Rochdale so you get the idea.
DollySheep32@reddit
Admittedly sheltered and tame here - but it was pretty funny when some guy poured his beer into a bowl of chips and shoved another guy's head into it in The Dragon in Birmingham back when I was at uni.
nomanhasaplan@reddit
The Queen’s Head, St Austell. If you want to get your wallet nicked, that’s the place to be.
ImTalkingGibberish@reddit
Whittington Stone, Archway, London
richbart1234@reddit (OP)
Why?
ImTalkingGibberish@reddit
It smells like right wing pensioners
SirHumphreyAppleby-@reddit
The Metropole in Gateshead.
It’s a rough place, plenty of fights and normal rough pub stuff.
But this one I still remember…
My wife’s Italian, fluent in English but not good with Geordie slang words and she went to the loo’s. In the cubicle she heard a knock and hand arrived down the bottom.
A drunk woman asked for some loo roll because her cubicle had none and she wanted to wipe her flaps.
My wife passed her some roll, and they came out whilst this woman explained what flaps were in Geordie dialect and other obscenities.
We still see this woman and she still says hi if we see her on the street.
sinnertra@reddit
I worked at a pub in Liverpool. Someone took a shit in the decorative vase in the men's and it took us 3 days to find the source of the smell.
BlackmetalMrGoat@reddit
The Stone Cross in Tamworth, I swear it's the place where flies and cockroaches go to die
richbart1234@reddit (OP)
Tamworth. Never stopped in but driven through. Seems like a shit place.
BlackmetalMrGoat@reddit
It is my dude the only thing that's got it going for it is that Baked potato guy lol
mcevz@reddit
The Manor Hotel pub in Sheffield
Cleffah@reddit
The raz.
Slow_Gate9923@reddit
Beckton arms in east London many years ago… two blokes shot dead at the bar on a Sunday afternoon. Pretty sure no one ever got arrested for it either.
Oh also, the beer was terrible…
DUncle97@reddit
Harlow wetherspoons
richbart1234@reddit (OP)
Hahahaha Harlow is pathetic
Isgortio@reddit
Can't remember the name of the place but it had a reputation of being a "metal" pub. The place was an absolute dive. There was a pool table, maybe about 6 tables for sitting down and a large open area in between. It just looked dirty, and the bar staff stopped serving me because I wasn't ordering alcohol. I wanted to use the toilet and the door for the cubicle was just a plank of wood you could lean against the frame, I ended up walking down the street to Spoons and using their toilet.
My brother knew someone who died of a drug overdose in the toilets there, so that probably explains the useless attempt at a door.
The building was demolished about 2 years after I went there, and it couldn't have happened to a more disgusting pub.
Ontrollogy@reddit
The dragon in Weston-super-Mare was the best worst place ever. Everyone went there when we were 18, it was wall to wall nutcases, beautiful students and Ken who's been there since 8am.
Saw a woman throw a glass at a bloke and he reacted, after it almost hitting him in the face; in the strongest west country accent:
"No idea how she missed me ive a massive head"
Loved that pub.
But worst pub? Probably one of those shit chain ones with no personality and shit pints (looking at you Stonegate pubs)
HaveABakeBreak@reddit
Spent a new years in here once cos everywhere else was rammed, still smelt like cigerettes from before the ban, sadly it's closed it's doors now
Imaginary_Finger7844@reddit
Admiral Vernon, Dagenham.
Feeling_Pen_8579@reddit
Temporary closed down as of last month. Utter shitehole in a good way. Listed building so there potential for someone to come in do it up proper.
le-Killerchimp@reddit
Don’t believe this is true. Still open according to Google.
Feeling_Pen_8579@reddit
Literally live near by, must have imagined it all bordered and fenced up when I walked past a few hours ago.
le-Killerchimp@reddit
I was in it last week….
If it’s shut, it’s very recent.
le-Killerchimp@reddit
How come?
Imaginary_Finger7844@reddit
Just a rough shit hole of a place. I unfortunately lived close to it.
richbart1234@reddit (OP)
Why?
Ok-Blackberry-3534@reddit
The wine list was atrocious.
richbart1234@reddit (OP)
I can't believe they didn't do charcuterie
A_Plastic_Tree@reddit
The Golden Last, Scarborough.
Went in once 26 years ago and will never go back. This trip advisor summary is good:"The pub boasts an undertone of violence, racist material on the walls and average beer"
richbart1234@reddit (OP)
Hahahaha that was my uncles local. Shit. But was never was worried in there.
Specific_Pomelo_8281@reddit
Any pub in Brixton
richbart1234@reddit (OP)
Stop
Connect-Bug9988@reddit
The George and Dragon in Bedford, was up that way for a removal job, and the pub was full of crackheads, including the bar staff, the price of the round changed every time we ordered, and when I went out for a fag, the ashtrays were full up with chicken bones 🤣🤣🤣
richbart1234@reddit (OP)
Hahahahaha. Lovely
ProduceEmbarrassed97@reddit
Black Swan, Lincoln, mid to late 1990s.
It had black and white lino on the floor, vinyl seating fixed with duct tape, and actual page 3 girls, taken directly from the Sun and Sunday Sport, taped to the wall.
Just a fucking hole.
richbart1234@reddit (OP)
Sounds....lovely
ProduceEmbarrassed97@reddit
It....wasn't.
It was the only pub I've ever been in that I honestly felt unsafe in.
Honest_Cricket9454@reddit
If one of the punters felt he needed to shoot the landlord, it must’ve been a REALLY bad pub…
MysteryRockClub@reddit
Sounds like either a pub which was bad and got really bad, or a pub that was really bad and got a little bit better
richbart1234@reddit (OP)
It was just always bad until it conveniently burned down.
richbart1234@reddit (OP)
It was a pub you wouldn't go in unless you knew someone. I only realised that after the fact sadly.
PigsAreTastyFood@reddit
Rocking horse, Clacton on sea. Had 1.5 urinal's,, the shitter was just the down pipe and a small peace of ceramic. The dance floor was so sticky your feet would come out of your shoes. There was always a fight ending with the bouncers using brass knuckles.
This was 2007ish, the music was brilliant, a band called stiff in the morning. All your mates were there every week and I wouldn't change it for the world.
richbart1234@reddit (OP)
Ok. Anyone who says 1.5 urinals immediately has my attention. Shit. That's fucking rough
fruity_brown_sauce@reddit
The Pound Pub on Picton High Street in Wavertree, it was full of sad character's and the toilets made the one from Trainspotting look luxurious. The cubicles had saloon doors, no lights and no running water.
richbart1234@reddit (OP)
That's disgusting
LennyDeG@reddit
I went to a pub in Salford with my Uncles who used to go into it in the 80s. Most roughest pub id ever been in, I bought 1 drink all night as it kicked off throughout. My Uncles left half way through the night and we ended up getting or shall I say sharing a taxi with 10 women being polite. Taxi wouldn't allow me and my cousin to share the taxi with these women. These women even fought with themselves whilst enroute to the city centre. So Classy 😅😂
I ended up putting 40 pound in the early 2010s to just get out of where we were and into city centre. Day later I heard the place went under after TV trashed and place in bits. The worst pub I've been to in my life
richbart1234@reddit (OP)
I don't understand Lancastrian
Ollymid2@reddit
I was recently in The Boot near King’s Cross - seemed a bit rough round the edges but fine and then a fight broke out and ended with a guy battering someone with patio furniture
Shithole
richbart1234@reddit (OP)
Chair or table?
Ollymid2@reddit
Metal chair
Cultural_Joke2025@reddit
Plastic or metal?
Fu5i0n@reddit
There used to be a lot of scary pubs in Luton that I played pool in back in the 80s & 90s. Pool & Darts night was the only time strangers went in to “estate” flat roof pubs.
The Centurion, The Cricketers, The Harvest Home.
All full of “tasty geezers” and leopard print wives with massive hoop earrings.
If there was a fight it was always between the regulars, and no involvement from the visitors.
Happy days!
azzthom@reddit
The Centurion. Estate pub for King's End in Bicester, Oxfordshire. There's more atmosphere on the fucking moon.
ThisIsMyRedditAcct20@reddit
The Globe. Baker Street London. Some guy took a sh*t all over the toilet. Never seen that.
My partner at the time said it was worse in hers
richbart1234@reddit (OP)
Nope. That's nothing. Had that weekly working behind a bar in York.
ThisIsMyRedditAcct20@reddit
Why?
richbart1234@reddit (OP)
I don't know. I guess people missed the toilet?
ThisIsMyRedditAcct20@reddit
Not blaming you, but that’s intentional
richbart1234@reddit (OP)
What are you on about?
ThisIsMyRedditAcct20@reddit
A guy shtting on* the toilet
ThisIsMyRedditAcct20@reddit
No chance
flyingmooset@reddit
The Wetherspoons by Piccadilly station in Manchester. Was like something from American Werewolf in London crossed with Deliverance.
richbart1234@reddit (OP)
Been there. I know what you mean. Problem is Manchester is the wrong side of the Pennines.
Badgerfest@reddit
The Canny Man in Bracknell, went in for a cheeky afternoon pint on a Friday and one of the locals puked onto his pint glass then proceeded to drink it.
richbart1234@reddit (OP)
Wow
Badgerfest@reddit
I was in the military for 20+ years, this is still one of the grimmest things I've seen.
richbart1234@reddit (OP)
Yeah that's grim
spaceshipcommander@reddit
I don't know about worst, but I walked into a village pub in Scotland with my uncle and a bloke started a fight with me before I had even made it through the door. I hadn't said a word when he accused aggressively, "are you English?", and then proceeded to start a fight with me.
cmrndzpm@reddit
You met Begbie.
richbart1234@reddit (OP)
Hahahaha love the Scottish. I had the same at a hotel in Edinburgh that was also a bar. We dropped our shit off, went to the bar and someone kicked off because he didn't expect us to drink Tennant's. We downed our pints and he stopped trying to glass us. Fair play.
sunheadeddeity@reddit
Working or drinking?
richbart1234@reddit (OP)
Either. I've done both. Different things irritate me with both
feckarse-drinkgirls@reddit
"see you in another 15 year"
richbart1234@reddit (OP)
Huh?
feckarse-drinkgirls@reddit
Thing you described was also a bit from Still Game
OwnStructure7460@reddit
Should have gone and played Grand Turismo instead 😂😂
alltorque1982@reddit
It's weird someone went in just for a shot.
richbart1234@reddit (OP)
Hahahahaha
Mglfll@reddit
The reindeer inn, Stockton. Used to be a pre night out pub in the town, served anyone and everyone. Get half cut, go to the Georgian, hide you had been on the booze from your parents
richbart1234@reddit (OP)
Stockton as up near Middlesbrough?
Mglfll@reddit
Yup!
richbart1234@reddit (OP)
Fuck. I know up there. Dodgy place.
Icy_Reply_7830@reddit
Yep
Bellatrixforqueen@reddit
Ah my home town. Was that the one near the swimming baths ?
Mglfll@reddit
Other end of the high street, near the taxi rank
JonathnJms2829@reddit
What happened to the landlord, did he Alt + F4?
richbart1234@reddit (OP)
Very much yes
GeggingIn@reddit
Probably still The Maltese Cat, Putney. Lenny Henry was on TV and they were all laughing.
Became apparent it wasn’t because they thought he was funny, it was because he was black.
No one shot the landlord though.
KatieCampbel1@reddit
I really don’t see a problem with that. Maybe a bit unprofessional 🤷♀️
richbart1234@reddit (OP)
Fair play. If people getting shot is ok then why not I guess...
johnnyjonnyjonjon@reddit
Any Sam Smith's.
richbart1234@reddit (OP)
Calm down I grew up next to the main pub. Humphrey is a twat I will give you that. Sell rocketfuel though
johnnyjonnyjonjon@reddit
It's all dreadful.
Immorals1@reddit
Crows nest on the outside of Leicester.
Just a vulgar business in every way, from the clientele, the building to the racist twat of an owner
richbart1234@reddit (OP)
Sounds....lovely
ThereIWasDigging@reddit
Daaaamn, and I thought the pub I was glad I had wellies on to get to the pisser was bad...
richbart1234@reddit (OP)
Hahahaha been in a few of them!!
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