Yes, you're right Willo, the prices were always slightly less in the Public Bar. Before moving away from Wallington our drinking group used to meet in the Duke's Head on Wallington Green and it was our bit of fun occasionally to buy the drinks in the Public Bar and then saunter into the Lounge Bar to drink them. The place was usually too busy on a Friday night for anyone to notice or bother.

The pub I referred to in my OP was The Star in Rusper. Back then it was just a drinking pub. No food was served although the landlady would make a sandwich for the locals if asked. Now it's run by a Greek bloke and is focused on food - Greek of course.

Dad and I watched games standing on the muddy slope of the Holmesdale Road end. He cheered and I rattled.

Well, you did get carpet in the saloon rather than the lino or sawdust of the public.... and let's not forget the Snug, where crusty oldies would gather like it was a private members club to swap gossip!

A stairway to Heaven and a Highway to Hell give some indication of expected traffic numbers

The saloon bar was usually for when the wife got taken out. My dad never missed a night but only ever in the public bar - he would never pay extra "just for a bit of carpet on the floor".
Considering the state of lots of South London pubs at the time an extra penny or two didn't seem a bad deal.

There was an Andy Capp cartoon in the pub.
- Have one yourself.
- Cheers. I'll have a large Scotch.
- You decide the drink. I'll decide the size.

I'll tell you Sunday night and all day Monday in Liverpool.

Red and Blue Army!

Pubs will Fade out. Pints will drop off and people will drink less. That’s my prediction. I’ve pretty much given up now. Too expensive. Used to love the pub but they are very different places now. Nearly all smart cafes. Changing world.