The British 'pub' is unique to the UK. Nothing like it exist anywhere else in the world. Some French bars come close, but there is nothing quite like a British pub.
Sad then to learn that pubs are closing down in the UK at the rate of two a week (if not more). There are many reasons why this might be: anti-smoking legislation; the availability of cheap booze from supermarkets; attempts by landlords to make the pub 'family friendly', essentially turning them into bland, characterless bistros, or purchase by management groups, and in doing so, imposing a 'homogenisation' in an attempt to impart the corporate identity.
But what of a wonderful-looking. traditional city pub such as the 'Black Lion' in Kilburn, London:
http://www.blacklionguesthouse.com/gallery/
Grade II listed; frosted glass widows, beautiful ceiling mouldings, leather upholstery, books to read on the window sills .....
So what's not to like? Well many things: only a limited choice of largely indifferent beers, that are not particularly well kept; adequate but expensive food; bar staff that mean well, but don't know much about the ales on offer, and most importantly - selling beer for an average of £4.50 a pint! (The latter is not just 'London prices'; I have drunk better beer in the same London borough for far less.)
I wonder how long this pub will last?