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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To open an 80s themed pub?

54 replies

FallingOrbit · 14/09/2017 22:04

I have an opportunity to buy a disused building that was previously a social club.
It's a good size, I grew up in the area where this building is and have very fond memories of it as a youngster back in the 80s.

I would theme it completely as I remember It, old style jukebox and bandits, wooden everything, snooker table where you pay for the lighting and a pool table where it's 10p play.

It also has a skittle alley and huge function room. The building is in fair order, leaking roof etc as it was abandoned. I don't want to ramble on so I'm sure you get the gist.

Would you be interested in such a place? This isn't going to hit home for a LOT of mumsnetters but does anyone out there get what I'm thinking?

OP posts:
RickOShay · 14/09/2017 22:15

Yes. Flock wallpaper and chicken and chips in a plastic basket, would be nice touches.Grin

FlyingGiraffeBox · 14/09/2017 22:21

Do 80s prices and I'm there!Wink

Seriously, sounds awesome.

LaurieFairyCake · 14/09/2017 22:22

It's a great idea but you can't have 10p pool - you need to make money so upscale the prices of you'll get a load of teenagers nursing one beer

And while nursing one beer was fine in the 80's no pub can make money on that now

existentialmoment · 14/09/2017 22:23

I would love that! Can you put a couple of 80's arcade games in like Donkey Kong?

MrsWicket · 14/09/2017 22:24

Sounds fab! please have a dance floor and serve 20/20 - I'll be there Grin

Original poster
FallingOrbit · 14/09/2017 22:24

Haha my local still does chicken and chips in a basket! I'm just a country lad at heart and I have such amazing memories of the old social club. Maybe I'm trying to re-live my youth but I have a real opportunity to buy it. Needs work as I said but I can do most of it my self

OP posts:
TheNaze73 · 14/09/2017 22:26

In most cases you need food sales to make a pub viable.

Don't want to piss on your fireworks but, think about it very carefully. Does sound great though

Tiddler7 · 14/09/2017 22:27

I would be regular there! I met my husband in Cheers (I know, not exactly the same), and we were quite sad when it closed down... Go for it! Wine

bigtapdancingpimp · 14/09/2017 22:29

I'd love it, would it have sticky carpets and Max and Paddy on the door? You'd need Vermouth and Babycham on tap Grin

Original poster
FallingOrbit · 14/09/2017 22:29

Donkey Kong and 20/20 are a given! A jukebox with those push button disc and track selections, old fashioned bar shutters, a proper 80s job. I think people would come but maybe it would be a fad and I'd have to update it to current themes but I really fancy doing It!

OP posts:
Ttbb · 14/09/2017 22:30

It really depends on where you open it up. You would either need a lot of people who are genuinely fond of that or a lot of hipsters. This is very niche.

KakunaRattata · 14/09/2017 22:32

Done right, I reckon you could do this. I mean 20 odd years ago we all loved 50s diners so why not. I would love it, but like people say, you need to make sure your prices are more current, by all means have chicken in basket and vol au vonts but you need to charge the current going rate for them.
When you do can you tell us where so I can make our next girls weekend there!

livefornaps · 14/09/2017 22:32

Perfect time to rock this new bad boy: Glitterball whooo!

LaurieFairyCake · 14/09/2017 22:32

If you're in London we'd come.

Seren85 · 14/09/2017 22:34

You'd have to have bingo at 7pm three times a week and a turn on at the weekends. Probably have to hire some actors to play "Dave and Sheila", you know who I mean...same seats every Saturday, he has a pint and she has half and then a period and lemonade at last orders and they never actually speak to each other. I may be overthinking this.

Seren85 · 14/09/2017 22:34

^pernod

Mrsfloss · 14/09/2017 22:34

Where abouts? Hooch and I'm there

Original poster
FallingOrbit · 14/09/2017 22:35

Here are some pics of the current condition. It has the original tables and bar, despite the obvious they are in good condition and this whole place can be restored at little cost

To open an 80s themed pub?
To open an 80s themed pub?
To open an 80s themed pub?
OP posts:
MrsWicket · 14/09/2017 22:37

Niche could work. There's lots of quirky, shabby chic bars where I live that always seen to be busy. Perhaps you could serve some Eighties named cocktails - I'll have a Scritti Politti please' Grin

iklboo · 14/09/2017 22:41

Depth Charge for me please - shot of Pernod dropped (glass and all) into a pint of cider.

If there's a sudden surge in sales of hairspray and wet look gel in your area we know it's been a hit Grin

FrankiesKnuckle · 14/09/2017 22:41

80s themed bar or 80s themed sauna?

LoveMySituation · 14/09/2017 22:42

Grin Or a Japan eh MrsWicketWink

ILoveMillhousesDad · 14/09/2017 22:47

Hmm. I think it looks a bit sauna-ish. I like the retro idea, but where are you in the UK? Small town that is backwards (like where I live), or somewhere a bit more hip?

It could work somewhere cool, but a run of the mill town, where pubs are closing left, right and centre, maybe not so much.

MrsWicket · 14/09/2017 22:48

Ha! Lovely - you've rumbled me Grin

Theresnonamesleft · 14/09/2017 22:51

You would need a smoke machine and a few special fragrances. Cannot have an 80's pub without the haze of cig smoke, and as you walk in the door depending on the time of day stale cig or dirty toilet. 😂