“Good beer, of course. A friendly face behind the bar; a local crowd with recognizable regulars and cheery greetings, but never too intrusive. Something in the look: not quite grotty but with a time-worn shabbiness; not dank and suffocating but the right side of cozy. A place with quiet corners for moody reflection or intimate conversation. And only occasional frissons of commotion or eventfulness as interesting distraction to sustain hours of village talk in ensuing weeks. That is a basic recipe.” Ameer Kotecha