Lots of us travel to experience a different culture, to embrace strangeness, or just simply to enjoy a climate different to our own. However, no matter where in the world, sometimes it’s nice to find a taste of home; a good, old-fashioned pub. This is the sanctified space where laughter, drinks and a homey atmosphere meld together. Here at dealchecker, we’ve chosen some of our favourite places abroad – both surprising and unsurprising – to find familiarity ashore.
1. Sydney
The seemingly random trend which saw Sydney’s drinking spots ambushed by a wave of sports bars in the 1990s is now undoing itself. Faddish, trendy bars may be taking their place, but during this transition, the family-run, characterful pubs are truly shining through. These reliable, long-established boozers, which were around far before the scenesters, keep doing what they do best: unwavering simplicity. Homey Australian and British-themed pubs can be found in the backstreets of the city, and are usually far more welcoming than the bars with ever-changing interiors towards the centre.
2. New York
In a city that soars towards the sky, what’s needed in our very British and humble opinions, is some modesty, and the scattering of pubs throughout New York City give it just that. Buildings compete to be the most glittering and bars compete to be the most outlandish. But the fast-paced intensity of The Big Apple can be slowed down in a good ol’ pub. Since Irish emigration rocketed in the 19th century, you can expect some great Guinness-soaked establishments, where people are happy to shoot you a smile and ask you your name.
3. Kraków
The pubs in Poland’s capital don’t make themselves immediately apparent, and most are underground (literally – you actually have to go underground to get to a lot of them). However, this city whose Gothic spires have become so iconic, is turning vodka into beer. This is a place that is really beginning to privilege its after-hours, homey joints. You can find an abounding flow of dark stouts and ale, world-famous lager, as well as micro-brewed IPAs in the Old Town area. Here lies a relatively large cluster of British boozers where the pub grub is stacked high and the karaoke machine is in full swing!
4. Tokyo
In a city that’s intensely cosmopolitan, a simple baked potato filled with beans can sometimes be very welcome. Amongst the towering urbanity of Tokyo, when you do come across a low-key pub, you’re likely to appreciate it. The juxtaposition of such humble and homely venues is a charming world away from the constant progression and acceleration. Pubs are scattered throughout the city, but the greatest meeting of them can be found in Shibuya. There you’ll find pubs offering draught ales and lagers you’ll know from home, and that good ol’ baked potato you’ve been hankering for.
5. Rhodes
Known for its powerful island status, and its legends from antiquity, you too can become a big legend at the small pub scene here, mate! Just head over to the New Town of Orfanidou; you’ll find a small gathering of them there. Like any good pub, the bartenders here are not only looking to make a buck from pouring pints, but to get to know the people they’re serving. One particular favourite is Tommie’s, in Eleftherias. This serves a lot of the drinks you’d find in the UK, and even has a live webcam on their website, where you can buy someone a drink from your screen!
6. Majorca
As I’m sure you already know, Majorca is full of familiar faces and Brit-loving boozers. Since the 1970s, many Brits have fled our on-off sunshine for the consistency of this island’s warming rays. So head to the right spot and you’ll feel quite at home here, just with less chance of rain. On a beautifully balmy day, a cool pint of *insert your favourite beverage here* just tastes so much better. If you’ve yet to try it, make sure to travel in the spring, when the sun hasn’t started to show itself so fiercely, and the holiday prices have yet to rocket.
7. Dublin
Not stopping off at a pub in Dublin is like not trying a cigar in Havana, or not eating a croissant in Paris. It’s simply unheard of! The essential pillars of a good, old-fashioned Dublin pub are the ornate and wooden bars, stained-glass mirrors which light up the space, and its crackin’ Guinness, of course! One pint of this creamy, bat-black nectar, and you’ve basically knocked back the city itself! For the best combination of better-than-the-factory Guinness and fiddle players, head over the Liffey River, where the real locals’ spots lie.
8. Helsinki
This kooky little city marries the Baltic’s bays and the cosy charm of its Scandinavian neighbours, with the warming nooks of its fire-lit pubs. Though this city really is the art school graduate of the Scandi family, it still keeps it down to earth in its watering holes. You’ll find some surprisingly Anglo-inspired ones here, too. One to note is the city’s oldest English pub, The Angleterre. With its no-frills decor, dartboards, and excellent toasted sandwiches, it provides an embracing hiding place from the art school dropouts of the city! It’s also only the fifth pub outside of the UK to have gained the prestigious Cask Marque award, for serving delicious real ales.
9. Bangkok
Becoming somewhat of a British expat paradise, Bangkok is more than accommodating to the Brits’ homesick whims. The neighbourhood of Sukhumvit caters especially to these Anglophile desires. You’ll find many of our expats coming here after work to rekindle, and some pubs here even serve a traditional British Christmas dinner. If you’re after live music of the Britpop persuasion, premiere league football, or even a Sunday roast, just look for the British flags and punny pub names!
10. Brussels
It won’t take long to realise, as you wander the ale-strewn streets, that Brussels would make the ideal place for a pub crawl. Most people here drink in what’s known as an estaminet – which is sort of like a delicious, boozy fusion of a cafe and pub. More than almost any other city, you’ll be really spoiled for choice here. Brussels has around 100 independent breweries, which produce in excess of 600 unique beers. Just don’t try them all in one weekend!