I am much more interested in the quality of the ale than the surroundings although the "atmosphere" of the pub is important. I am not of the "Disco" persuasion, although I dont mind a reasonable juke box or piped in music, but earsplitting levels are not on.

I do enjoy a bit of boisterous conversation and laughter as opposed to a super quiet "serious" bar.

I am totally against the trend for pubs to become merely eating places that can also supply beer(no matter how good the quality of either) A pub is for drinking, after all no one goes to the cinema with the main intention of sampling the popcorn.