The Rise of Gastropubs: What It Is and Why People Love It

Consumers have a primary tendency: they will switch to whoever provides a better experience. The same happened when traditional pubs were replaced with gastropubs. This is the case with everything; evolve or get replaced.

The gastropubs come up with new and innovative approaches to the dishes, dining, and quality of food. Gastropubs have come so far today that they have started providing gourmet experiences. The Stagg Inn of Titley, Herefordshire, England, was the first Michelin Star award in 2001 for being a gastropub.

Now you must be more fascinated by the word gastropub than before, for sure!

But what is a gastropub? What’s the vibe and atmosphere there? This detailed guide on gastropub is here to answer all your questions on it!

What is a gastropub?

A gastropub refers to a type of pub that fuses high-quality food with a casual, pub-style atmosphere. Regular pubs are often focused on burgers and fries, whereas gastropubs offer innovative, chef-driven menus or entirely new culinary creations. From gourmet burgers to grilled salads, from scotch eggs to seasonal dishes and desserts, you can get anything in a gastropub.

Though it comes with a fancy name, it still retains the friendly and casual environment of a traditional pub, complementing with fine alcoholic beverages. The best and signature part of a gastropub is its deliberate focus on pairing food and drinks. Customers can pick options from the menu, which include beer or wine pairings for certain dishes, community events, trivia nights, or live music.

How did gastropubs begin?

As the traditional pub culture began to decline in the late 1900s , and people started searching for a place with better food in casual settings, the concept of Gastropubs emerged. The first Gastropubs came out was The Eagle, located in Clerkenwell, London. The idea originated in the minds of the restaurant manager, Michael Belben and Chef David Eyre.

The government and the general public during that time felt the monopoly of brewers in pubs that offered poorly sourced wines. Grabbing the opportunity, Michael and David jumped into their dream and started their gastropub in 1991 providing high-quality food and wines that matched gourmet standards.

Traditional pubs primarily focused on serving wine, but the rise of gastropubs changed the game by offering both high-quality food and drinks made with locally sourced ingredients.

What’s on the menu?

The menu took a revolutionary turn compared to the traditional pubs. The Gastropubs not only introduced innovative dishes and diverse dishes apart from burgers and fries but also sourced quality ingredients.

The culinary standards and techniques have improved, ensuring the meats and raw materials used in food must be fresh. Burgers, salads, Sausages, and Artisanal dishes are made with premium ingredients like brioche buns, artisanal cheeses, and house-made sauces. The beverages on the menu include a wide selection of local and international craft beers. Along with handcrafted cocktails, it includes fine wines, Whiskeys & Spirits.

The gastropubs always work on the customer experience, so these are also equipped with digital menu boards to display the menu items on an eye-catching bright display. They can now effortlessly change the digital menu on seasonal and festive occasions.

With Pickcel’s digital signage software, the process is much easier for any gastropub owner or someone who runs a restaurant and wants to have these powerful digital menu boards. Along with lots of customization options, you can access 100+ premade templates and Pickcel’s artboard to design as you wish. It’s also easy to connect a POS system integration for operational efficiency.

The gastropub atmosphere and why people love it

Gastropubs are generally smaller in size compared to restaurants. Thus, they are cozy and welcoming. You’ll find traditional pub elements such as rustic dark wood, which adds to the vintage decor.

Gastropubs have a relaxed, communal vibe of traditional pubs with the sophistication of fine dining, and this unique combination is what drives people to love it. You’ll also find a friendly bartender and the perfect lighting that makes everything feel comfortable.

It’s the perfect place to catch up with friends or celebrate an event in a comfortable, cozy environment. The communal seating and welcoming atmosphere make gastropubs ideal for social gatherings. The diversity of customers is one of the best things about gastropubs—they really do have something for everyone.

Thinking about opening a gastropub?

Starting a gastropub is more affordable, on average, it costs around $127,000 - $475,000 to set one up, which is cheaper than opening a fine-dining restaurant.

The required financial amount will ensure the grant for a liquor license, commercial kitchen, and bar setup. Additionally, you can spend on dining, staff, and decor according to your budget.

You also don’t need a huge staff. Gastropubs are often self-service or limited-service, which keeps costs down.

Wrapping Up!

Gastropubs are and always be popular for their friendly, comfortable environment. Gastropubs host events, from live music to beer-tasting nights, turning a meal into an experience. It’s a great way to build a sense of community and keep regulars coming back.

You can upgrade your Gastropubs as you grow. As with every business, you can offer deals, festivals, or seasonal discounts. To manage everything, it has a digital menu board and POS integration to make operations easier, even with a small group of staff. If you are serious about your idea of a Gastropub and want to provide a great customer experience, you can try Pickcel for its advanced digital signage software solution.