Landlord John Walsh
Landlady Jacki Walsh
Our Sons
Karl & Tristan
Our Dogs
Connie & 4Tee
harrels
What a difference time makes..........
About 3 years ago The Barrels was in the local papers cited as being the worst pub in Luton, then we were in the short list for being the best pub in Luton. So what happened?
We took over The Barrels 3 years ago with a plan to create the perfect community pub, making it the hub of the community, and it appears to be working.
You have to give more of a reason to come to the pub other than just to have a drink. We have customers that pop in to see how they are doing in the fantasy football, or to have a go on the weekly bonus ball or sports lottery.
With two football teams based from the pub, Magnum FC. both playing in the Sunday morning league, a pool team playing in the Monday & Thursday night league, There is a big sports feel to the pub, this is helped by watching sport on any of the 5 flat screen TV’s or the 7ft big screen. We don’t attract a large following of any one side more pockets of fans with lots of neutral viewers just out for the atmosphere.
We tried to offer a comprehensive food menu, but unfortunately this was not right for The Barrels, our only offering now is Chicago town pizza’s or Jumbuck’s Pies to eat in or take away. We do cater for buffets and parties that get booked, being across the road from the crematorium does get us the odd wake or two.
We fenced off a large section of the garden so people feel safe knowing that their children cannot get out when they bring them up here, the 2 dogs love to run around with the kids which wears them all out.
There is nearly always music playing until sport takes over, Friday and Saturday nights we crank it up a touch, Fridays playing mostly new songs, Saturdays going back in time or even karaoke, occasionally we even have bands playing.
Games are a must to bring people together, and as well as pool, the WII is always set up, with cards, dominoes, table tennis, darts and other board games available, There’s always someone willing to play.
On the charity front all of the money raised in our bottle has gone to locals that have hit upon bad times and issues, we keep it all local only and do not over encourage larger national charities. The Barrels tries not to be bias towards any occasion and as such we usually end up not celebrating any of them, instead it becomes the place to go to avoid having red noses shoved in your face etc.
We hope we have created an environment that feels safe and welcoming, where all walks of life are greeted with the same familiarity regardless, all be it, you do struggle to get a smile out of John, however he assures us that he is never in a bad mood.
The Barrels may have a bad past, but it now has a bright future, be part of it........
Don’t take our word for it -