Anyone who has seen the movie ‘The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy’ will recall the moment when the world is about to end and Martin Freeman and Mos Def hop off to a pub for three pints in the middle of the day.
Our world may not end yet, however the importance of stopping by the pub after work and before going home is very much a culture which is especially strong in some countries. This bring me to the subject of this article – the community pub - what is this culture, why is it important and how does it affect the community?
To me, it’s not just about grabbing a pint with your mates. It’s about ‘me-time’, ‘my-space’ and such terms that reflect spending time at an ideal hangout to relax and just chill. I see this trend more prominent with men because you don’t often find women wanting to drop by at a pub every evening to watch a game, play some pool, catch up with friends or just to have a glass of beer or wine.
In the UK, the pubs have played a pivotal role with the working class and created the famous Pub Culture as we know it. The culture of going out to cafes, having a drink, sharing and discussing ideas has existed since bustling Constantinople. This hasn’t changed much. Pub culture is not about the alcohol alone, it’s about the community, the conversations, the buzz and equally important – it’s about a good warm meal. The pub food - this is where my interest perks.
What is pub food, some may ask? If you are not familiar with the term, then let me break it down for you. It is not finger food to go with your beer. It is a proper meal, carefully crafted by some of the finest chefs these days. The equipment, the ingredients and the service have to fashion the same experience that you’d get at home for many expatriates in Dubai.
During my time with the Eloquent Elephant at The Taj, Business Bay, I had the opportunity to introduce an award-winning experience and a menu that brought the essence of a quintessentially English pub to Dubai. And like the Eloquent Elephant, I’ve mirrored that essence at The Tap House at Club Vista Mare on the Palm. This pub rests at the heart of a vibrant community inviting residents every day to experience good food, drinks, celebrate occasions, take part in festivities or simply soak in the great vibe with mates over a plate of Chicken Tikka Masala.
We’ve created a comfortable zone for our patrons at The Tap House, a 300 cover restaurant housing the finest equipment to cater to the size and a team of specialized staff to service the crowd. And boy, does it get crowded? It does and that is exactly what a good pub should be.
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