The Perfect Pub?

What really raises the bar?

Phil Harvey, Editor-in-Chief

February 15, 2007

1 Min Read
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1:45 PM -- Essay question: Is there a such thing as the perfect pub?

This "saloon" across the street from my office makes a pretty good run at being all things to all drinkers.

615.jpgIt's rugged, yet it has game(s). It's got WiFi and a decent "Internet connected" jukebox (though that's a little out of place given the bricked streets and sawdust floors).

616.jpgIt opens at 11 a.m. and has a 5-hour happy hour.

617.jpgIt has some decent beers on tap. And best of all, no one would think to come looking for me there.

I'm not saying the Showdown Saloon is the greatest ever, but it's a good place to start the discussion. What qualities do you think, besides good brew, make for a memorable watering hole?

Need it be legendary and unique, like San Mateo's Prince of Wales? Or just local and lively, like the 221B Baker St. chain?

Weigh in on the boards below or drop me a line. There are no wrong answers.

— Phil Harvey, Cocktails Editor, Light Reading

About the Author

Phil Harvey

Editor-in-Chief, Light Reading

Phil Harvey has been a Light Reading writer and editor for more than 18 years combined. He began his second tour as the site's chief editor in April 2020.

His interest in speed and scale means he often covers optical networking and the foundational technologies powering the modern Internet.

Harvey covered networking, Internet infrastructure and dot-com mania in the late 90s for Silicon Valley magazines like UPSIDE and Red Herring before joining Light Reading (for the first time) in late 2000.

After moving to the Republic of Texas, Harvey spent eight years as a contributing tech writer for D CEO magazine, producing columns about tech advances in everything from supercomputing to cellphone recycling.

Harvey is an avid photographer and camera collector – if you accept that compulsive shopping and "collecting" are the same.

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