Pub Work

markwilliams82 · 1 Jan 2011 at 23:28

Who here works in a pub behind the bar or as a land lord?

I'm currently working in a warehouse. Official job title is "Account Manager" and everyone knows me as the Warehouse manager but I feel like I'm being pushed into doing all the warehouse manual work since the lad I worked with who used to do all that side of things left and the company temporarily replaced him with someone who prefers office/admin work meaning I cant do the kind of things I need and want to be doing.

Whilst being off over Xmas and New Year I've been thinking about work and careers and I'm really not sure whether I want to go back and have more of the same and have a longer period of time in my job role.

I've always thought about working in a pub and being a land lord. Has anyone on here given up there usual job to follow this path? Really would like to hear some opinions on this

[TW]Sponge · 1 Jan 2011 at 23:34

I used to work behind a bar in a local pub. Depends what type of pub you will be going for, whether it is in the middle of a busy town, or a "local" pub. I personally found it a lot of fun. Getting to know different people and interacting with them constantly makes the day go by very quickly.

House · 1 Jan 2011 at 23:41

most of my family work in the pub trade, I grew up in a pub from the age of 5 and paid my way through Uni working for them.

Its the last thing i would do for a job, i think id rather have almost any other job than that.

4p · 1 Jan 2011 at 23:44

House said:
most of my family work in the pub trade, I grew up in a pub from the age of 5 and paid my way through Uni working for them.

Its the last thing i would do for a job, i think id rather have almost any other job than that.

Introvert?

Dreadi · 2 Jan 2011 at 00:19

Don't EVER bother working for wetherspoons.

Darkpilgrim · 2 Jan 2011 at 00:29

Dreadi said:
Don't EVER bother working for wetherspoons.

Working in a nice pub is ok,but working in a chain pub is bearly better then Mcdonalds

Gilly · 2 Jan 2011 at 00:30

Don't do it

markwilliams82 · 2 Jan 2011 at 14:24

sponge999 said:
I used to work behind a bar in a local pub. Depends what type of pub you will be going for, whether it is in the middle of a busy town, or a "local" pub. I personally found it a lot of fun. Getting to know different people and interacting with them constantly makes the day go by very quickly.

I'd much prefer to work in an out of town local pub rather than one of the bigger chains such as Wetherspoons etc

markwilliams82 · 2 Jan 2011 at 14:27

Gilly said:
Don't do it

what makes you say that?

[TW]Sponge · 2 Jan 2011 at 14:30

markwilliams82 said:
I'd much prefer to work in an out of town local pub rather than one of the bigger chains such as Wetherspoons etc

Yeh definitely go for a local pub. You will have such more fun

imb4tman · 2 Jan 2011 at 14:43

Too many pubs now are owned by pub companies like Punch and Enterprise. You really don't want to get involved with these companies, you'll never make any money. 7 - 10 weeks worth of turnover for your rent. Tied to them for all your alcohol purchases, which you won't get any discount on. You'll literally be paying double what a free house does.

markwilliams82 · 2 Jan 2011 at 14:53

sponge999 said:
Yeh definitely go for a local pub. You will have such more fun

What are you upto now then if you used to work in a pub?

imb4tman said:
Too many pubs now are owned by pub companies like Punch and Enterprise. You really don't want to get involved with these companies, you'll never make any money. 7 - 10 weeks worth of turnover for your rent. Tied to them for all your alcohol purchases, which you won't get any discount on. You'll literally be paying double what a free house does.

I've been looking on the net at pubs owned by companies such as Marstons and Greene King. How do you get into work like this?

Van Hellseek · 2 Jan 2011 at 14:56

I do a little bar work.

Hate it - being in a room full of ****-heads when you're sober = for the absolute lose. I hate having to listen to uninteresting stories, pretending to laugh at pathetic jokes and trying to get rid of the last drunken wang that just wont go home.

Pubs are great for drinking... Not for working.

dowie · 2 Jan 2011 at 15:08

Worked in a local pub in my village part time when I was in 6th form - was fairly easy tbh...

Not sure I'd want to bother with a chain pub in a busy town/city though. Did have a flatmates at uni who worked in an independent cocktail bar though and she got fairly decent tips (though she gave it up as she worked silly hours and was too tired for uni)

IMO its something that can be fun as a part time job but IME the people doing it full time aren't exactly having a great life - fun if you're in your 20s but I reckon as a career, if you're still doing it as you get older it wouldn't be fun at all.

MrMeToo · 2 Jan 2011 at 15:32

I worked in a pub a few year ago and it was the best job I ever had, put it depends on the people you work with. I only worked there part time and I know the full timers and some of the management worked long hours for not great money. Like some have said if you 20ish and work with a similar age group who dont take the job to seriously its a great place to work.

Does take its toll around the summer when your working and people are enjoying the sun, its not great around crimbo as you are expected to work while others enjoy themselves so to sum up, swings and round abouts but I had a blast.

jp_bl_68 · 2 Jan 2011 at 16:30

I'm currently working in a pub. Long hours over Christmas, minimum wage, but the people are good to work with and I never have to get up before the sun rises, which suits me fine.

I'm not sure how you'd go about getting into the landlord side of things unless you plan on buying your own pub. Have you ever worked in a pub before?

Skillmister · 2 Jan 2011 at 16:33

I worked in a 'local' type pub, pretty quiet except on fridays/saturdays (when i worked) and then they had live bands and the like on. Just had to deal with the fussy regulars who want the head on their beer perfect to the nearest millimetre....

neoboy · 2 Jan 2011 at 16:43

It's not that bad of a job really particularly if you're young and don't mind working during the drinking hours. I've worked in a few places ranging from racecourses (by far the busiest!) to rather slow and relaxed posh bars with cocktail names that'll make your head explode. Money wise, the last one was better due to tips but could get little boring at times since you don't get as many customers. Thankfully haven't encountered too many snobs either and have met some interesting people including some Hell's Angels from Belgium and some absolutely gorgeous strippers visiting from London! Of course who you working with can also be a big bonus or in unfortunate cases a burden.

As for being land lord in a pub, my friend did that a few years ago (had a nightclub too at one point) and I helped out a bit and I can tell you it's not really a glamorous job and be prepared to live and breathe it until you decide to leave. Nowadays you'll also be struggling with so many pubs closing all the time, I've seen many nice places go from lovely refurbished establishments to selling house trebles for £2.50 within 3 months and closing in 6.

Gilly · 2 Jan 2011 at 17:03

markwilliams82 said:
what makes you say that?

No money, too many hours.

There's no up-side.

imb4tman · 2 Jan 2011 at 17:03

markwilliams82 said:
How do you get into work like this?

Do you have experience of running a business? There are a lot of places at the moment that are lease hold no money down, even some free houses but you will need to prove you could run the business. Best bet is do some bar work and see if you like it. Absolutely no point going any further if you don't enjoy the life style that comes with the job.