The Monday Nighters are a group of friends who, as the name suggests, meet every Monday Night for a social drink in pubs in the Bristol area. This began in 1969 with two founding members, Alan P and Steve, with other work colleagues and friends joining the group later. Currently the maximum group size is 8,with one honary member in the USA and another in Tasmania.
Initially a different pub was visited every Monday night, the choice being rotated through the group in alphabetical order of surname. Although the concept of alphabetical order seems to elude some members, even today. As the years went by the principle of a different pub each week was modified so that "different", could include, change of ownership or brewery,name change and refurbishment.
These days with many pubs closing, some pubs are revisited but the challenge remains to nominate a "different" pub whenever possible.
As well as being "different" the pub should also meet the following Ten Commandments for a successful Monday night :
1. An extensive selection of real ales.
2. The price of a pint should be the same as you can get in a Wetherspoons.
3. The beer should not be cloudy.
4. There should be at least one member of staff to change a barrel if necessary.
5. It should not be a quiz night.
6. Seating available for up to eight people, the chairs to have backs.
7. A supply of beer mats and/or candles (not for glasses or illumination).
8. A nice garden for the one night each year when it is warm enough to sit outside.
9. Free parking with a short walk to the pub.
10.No music, either live or piped.
PUB VISITS
1 Masons Arms Winterbourne 21
2 The Inn on the Green 14
2 The Sandringham 14
3 The Beaufort Stoke Gifford 12
3 The Crafty Cow 12
4 The Globe 11
4 The Post Office Tavern 11
5 The Lamb Iron Acton 10
5 The Nova Scotia 10
5 The Victoria Chock Lane 10
5 The White Lion W-o-T 10