Social media discussion from beer writers such as Matthew Curtis and Boak and Bailey has touched on rough pubs. That is a pub where some night feel uncomfortable.
There are many pubs and many different ways of running them so the idea is a bit vague
There is certainly a strong gender angle. Women may feel uncomfortable in pubs where they are pestered by men, but where I’d be left alone
There are some pubs I would swerve. Those known to be frequented by racists or no surrender types. For me, no thanks.
The working man’s pub (aside from being rightly illegal) where people gathered after hard manual labour is largely gone. A world we have lost but perhaps not mourned.
Then there are fight pubs- sometimes Wetherspoons. Perhaps best avoided on a Friday night but no one is forced to fight..
In short perhaps each to their own, except action is still required on gender
“Rough” pubs are definitely a male environment which doesn’t welcome women. Misogyny is still rife, sadly.
I used to imbibe in what some would have called rough. It wasn’t, but it could get a bit lively at times. However, I would have been more worried about the women than the men if it kicked off