In a coastal town in the UK, one pub is drawing attention for its unusual house rules. Phones are strictly banned, and if you slip up and say one forbidden word, you’ll be slapped with a fine. Locals in Cornwall have been asked to select their top pub to show appreciation for their local watering holes; after hundreds of nominations, there is now a shortlist of 50.
CornwallLive is examining each one closely to find out what sets them apart—whether it’s the regulars, the team spirit, or the overall atmosphere that makes their pub worth a visit. They contacted all the nominated pubs and will feature those who have responded in due course. This week, the reporters introduced the team behind The Barrel at Bude in north Cornwall, which is managed by Ian and Rachel O’Hare.
They sent over a list of questions to learn more about the team and the story behind the pub, and below are their responses. The vote for the overall winner is still ongoing, so make sure to fill out the form by following this link.
Who are you, and who are the people behind the name?
The Barrel at Bude is north Cornwall’s first micropub. It was established in 2017 inside a vacant shop premises, previously a 19th-century cottage, by Ian and Rachel O’Hare. Ian had recently retired from the corporate world, and Rachel thought he needed something to do.
Tell us two really cool facts about your pub.
We have a policy that mobile phones can only be used for taking photos and videos, which must be shared off the premises. The word ‘Christmas’ is also banned until December, following an email we received in June years ago asking if we were preparing for the festive season!
Any breaches of these rules result in a £1 fine, which goes to Bude Foodbank. This has raised thousands since we opened.
What makes our pub special?
We’re a local’s pub that warmly welcomes visitors. However, we’re only open from Thursday to Saturday, 4pm – 9pm, and Sunday 4pm to 8pm (bath night), ensuring there’s always a fantastic atmosphere. Our staff all have other ‘proper’ jobs and work with us for 4-8 hours a week because they enjoy it – this positivity radiates to our customers.
We serve as the Clubhouse for Bude Coastguard, Bude Pilot Gig Club, and we have our own in-house band, The Barrel Tappers, The Barrel Border Morris Side and The Barrel Seagals female shanty group, all conceived and delivered by Barrel customers.
We initiated Women on Thursdays, a group for women to come and join to chat and make friends, challenging the ‘pubs are for men’ attitude many older women were brought up to believe. We host lots of regular monthly events.
We also have The Barrel Club, which has 70 members and is growing. Members are mobilised to deal with community needs in Bude, from fundraising for charities to decorating people’s houses if they can’t afford it—there are too many examples to mention.
What are your top three best-selling drinks, and do you offer a guest ale? If so, what’s the line-up?
All our ales, ciders, soft drinks come from small independent Cornish brewers, one man or woman businesses who all struggle to find a market in the Cornish tied house pubs. We’ve brewed our own beer and distilled our own rum.
It is impossible to choose three favourites as I only buy the best from the best but Treen’s Brewery is consistently good. My favourite of his is Classic Bitter; Driftwood Spars makes great GF beer and my favourite would be Lou’s Brew named after the landlady of The Driftwood Spars Hotel, third Penzance Brewing Company whose Mild won best in the UK this year.
However choosing these three might imply I don’t have other favourites – I deal with over 20 breweries and in particular start-ups, Mason’s, Bluntrock, Braslou Biere, Howl Brewery in Bude, Tintagel (new brewer), Coldframe (raw barley) etc – so many but all passionate about what they do.
If you serve food, what’s your signature dish?
Our signature dish is our Pork scratchings – the same as you buy at Warren’s.
If you have a jukebox, what’s the top-most played tune?
No, we have a record player and a stack of vinyl. The rule is, if you’re the nearest, you are the DJ.
Funniest/weirdest moment and/or stand-out memory?
There are so many memorable moments; our silent discos, bands on the roof – occasionally, but I suppose it’s our annual Birthday weekend celebrations (June 21) where we dress up in fancy dress, listen to loads of live music and stay open late – until 10pm.
What would being named pub of the year mean to you?
It would validate our belief that you can be small yet successful. It would acknowledge all of our wonderful Cornish suppliers and customers and thank them as well for their contribution.
Give one reason why it’s crucial people support their local boozer in 2025 and beyond.
Community! It’s a hub for people to meet, talk, laugh, celebrate and in our case get involved in things that they perhaps might not and to enjoy monthly Irish music nights, games nights, comedy nights, open mic nights, and listen to the best artists in the south west every second Sunday, so much to choose from.