The traditional British pub is making a comeback as drinkers tire of the "fashionable" Irish and Australian theme bars that have sprung up in recent years for Brighton pubs.

A study of drinking ways has found that bars decorated with street signs and other flavourings from "theme" nations have lost their originality value and are being increasingly seen as tacky.
A team from the market research company Mintel found that 100 theme bars - which became popular in the mid-1990s and include chains such as Scruffy Murphy's, Bar Oz, Finnegan's Wake and O'Neill's had closed or converted back to traditional British Brighton pubs in the past year.

Pat Aston, the senior leisure analyst at Mintel, said to The Telegraph: "The big boom in theme bars is over. They have lost their novelty value. More women are going to bars and there is a new trend towards minimalism or post-modern eclecticism, neither of which fits well with theming."

The findings show that the influence of Britain's ageing population has also been felt on the theme bars, which were designed to appeal to 20- to 24-year-olds - a group that will decrease in size over the next decade.

So What Do The Public Make of Themed Pubs over Traditional Pubs in Brighton?

‚¬"Themed pubs should be banned!!‚¬ says GrantJH from TripAdvisor.com ‚¬"I don't understand why bars insist on being nation themed, I mean I'm Australian and I've been traveling for 7yrs... Every country I go to always has English, Aussie or Irish pubs, they are the worst, and this is no different! I liked the beers, but the food was terrible! I just wish there had been something more original to the bars menu in regards to its location, but again this is to be expected from themed bars like this! Ohh well moving onto my next review... ‚¬

Although separate bars with Irish or other national themes have long existed in Britain, the big breweries began to operate them as chains after Bass opened the first O'Neill's pub in Aberdeen. It was adorned to look like a traditional Dublin pub, with hints of the Irish countryside. Farming tools hung from the walls and the drinking area was divided into small sections using timber walls.

Bringing Back Traditional - Themed Pubs Going out Of Style?

The popularity of O'Neill's led Bass (now Mitchells & Butlers) to open another branch in Covent Garden, London, in 1995. The idea was swiftly adopted by rival chains and soon Irish theme pubs multiplied, with about 500 across Britain by 2000.
That trend is now being reversed and 35 O'Neill's pubs, 23 Scruffy Murphy's and 12 Finnegan's Wakes have been closed by their respective breweries. The Mintel study predicted that another 150 theme bars would shut by 2007.

That trend is now being reversed and 35 O'Neill's pubs, 23 Scruffy Murphy's and 12 Finnegan's Wakes have been closed by their respective breweries. The Mintel study predicted that another 150 theme bars would shut by 2007.

Mr Cartwright said Mitchells & Butlers had "debranded" all the Scruffy Murphy's that it credited from Allied Domecq in 1999. "The King and Keys was debranded last year and redecorated very sympathetically. It has regained its original character."
The landlord, Raymond Williams, 55, praised his "nice old pub", which had a history dating back to the 16th century. He said: "I still serve people who have fond memories of it back in the early '90s. Many have told me they are very happy that the themed Irish bar has been banished."

One King and Keys customer, Andrew Lester, 22, a tax consultant, said: "I prefer it like this. It's a nicer pub."

So is it more than just the older generation that are starting to dislike themed pubs?

If you want to visit a traditional Brighton Pub then there are plenty in Brighton for you to choose from so get searching and start visiting the great fun to be had here in Brighton and Sussex.