“How do Southern pubs differ from Northern pubs ?”

February 2025. Emsworth.

I’d wanted to show Dave the exact spot I ate that Salt & Pepper Chicken by the Lord Raglan in 2016, but Mrs RM wasn’t walking that far and my Emsworth GBG newbie the King’s Arms was in the other direction.

So we walked round the promenade, as lovely as any Essex marshes town,

and stood impatiently at the front door of an impressive Essex-style roadhouse at noon.

Traditional, simply furnished, comfortable. A typical Hampshire village pub.

And this was where Dave, without written warning, asked The Eternal Question;

“How do northern pubs differ from southern ones* ?“

Would have been easier if he’d asked what I.T. stood for.

I avoided his question with an “er” and bought the beer while the soundtrack (exclusively 1983-85 British electro pop) played.

With more time, I’d have give Dave a witty answer drawing on the differences in pub soundtracks across the Isles (the Billy Ocean factor).

Mrs RM would have asked ChatGPT, who would have said;

Well, there’s a controversial view.

Someone else would comment on the difference in beer styles on offer,

or the sparkler. The HSB here had a great foamy head (a chewy NBSS 3.5).

Over a fiver, of course, despite what the price list might say.

One young couple ordering fish and chips, one gent with his whippet greyhound,

one chap just turned 60 bumping in high tables. Twice.

The King’s Arms felt, in all respects, a good Southern pub. The next one was a classic.

—–

*What do you mean “There’s a Midlands” ?

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Published by retiredmartin

Retired NHS, doing long walks around UK and the world to record the great bits. Focused on Good Beer Guide pubs and live music.

18 thoughts on ““How do Southern pubs differ from Northern pubs ?””

  3. I think you’re more likely to find a pub which is tied to a local family brewery or a genuine freehouse, rather than one owned by a pubco or (multi)national brewer, in the North than in the South, although there are obviously exceptions to that in both, with Merseyside and the North East now lacking in that respect, and Harvey’s still going as an independent operator in the South East.

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  4. Northern and southern pubs are identical in that they are both places where one goes to have proven the eternal truth of the proverb: Empty Vessels Make The Most Sound…

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