The Rough Pub Guide: A Celebration of the Great British Boozer [Hardcover]

'[A] fun, funny and heart-felt stocking-filler.' (TIME OUT )

'After my millionth slurp of this book, a tribute to British boozers... I am drunk on its greatness... the writing is glorious , while extra chapters about barroom philosophers, jukeboxes and darts are incredibly quaffable. Knock these back merrily, and hope for a lock-in.' (THE WORD )

'Made me laugh out loud on the Tube - a must for any devotee of scuzzy urban pubs.' (EVENING STANDARD )

'A hilarious, quirkily-illustrated guide to the alleged '50 best pubs in the country' (NORTHERN ECHO )

'A book that will have you laughing out loud' (HAM & HIGH )

'Quirky, funny and bristling with character' (SOUTH WALES EVENING POST )

Life was once simple: you could choose either the public bar, stand around with a pint, play darts and enjoy a platter of roast potatoes . . . or you could retire to the lounge, where, in amongst the flock wallpaper and red velvet bench seats, an old bloke would invariably run through his repertoire on an organ. This is no longer the case in Britain today, as gastropubs and minimalist wine bars have transformed the high street and countryside. The Rough Pub Guide is part guidebook, part paean to a disappearing England, and part investigation into a completely insane drinking culture. It's a road-trip across the British Isles and a celebration of the great British boozer. It seeks out establishments where food is an afterthought, but a decent atmosphere and original Double Diamond beer pumps are prerequisites. Featured hosteleries include: The Boot King's Cross, London (1972, still alive and well. Kenneth Williams' local). The Montague Arms, New Cross (south London's strangest pub) The Ellangowan Hotel, Dumfries (where The Wicker Man was filmed) The Royal Standard, Hastings ('Meat Raffle on Monday -- 1') The British Oak, Birmingham ('Smoking ban? What smoking ban?')

Paul Moody is a writer whose work has appeared in the NME, Time Out, Uncut, Arena and the Guardian. Robin Turner works for Heavenly Recordings, where he started the legendary Heavenly Sunday Social in 1994. He's the co-creator of The Social chain of bars in London, Bristol and Nottingham. Together they publish Socialism magazine. Robin Turner works for Heavenly Recordings, where he started the legendary Heavenly Sunday Social in 1994. He's the co-creator of The Social chain of bars in London, Bristol and Nottingham.