Pub Games Through History

Touch screen bar games have steadily become ubiquitous up and down the country. Nowadays there are very few pubs without an entertainment system or a glowing box in the corner.

Yet, whilst some may claim that entertainment systems such as these adversely affect the "ambiance" of a pub, the fact is that pubs and games have been synonymous for generations.

Pub quizzes, whilst arguably the most common of all pub activities (bar the drinking and socialising, naturally) only came into prominence in the 1970s.

Regardless of whether certain pubs may have upheld the tradition for years beforehand, it only really came into the public consciousness in the 70s, although its popularity is undimmed to this day.

Other games which have been around for decidedly longer, however, include draughts, shove ha'penny, billiards and cribbage, some of which have retained their popularity whilst others have fallen into the mists of time.

Henry VIII, in fact, banned pub games, for fear of them distracting Tudor pubmen from archery.

Whilst many pub games revolved around puzzles to throwing games, some were decidedly more barbaric, with cockfighting a regular appearance in many pubs until (and in certain places, after) it was banned. There was even a pub in Islington, London, which catered to a pond of ducks out the back which punters could have a go at shooting, for a fee, of course.

In more recent times, games such as pinball have become popular, before being eschewed in favour of the hugely popular electronic gaming platforms. Space Invaders and the like captures the public's attention and many pubs brought in the machines, seeing it as a way of bringing in extra money and keeping their clients drinking for longer.

Nowadays, of course, it is the electronic pub games machine that is seeing ubiquity, and regardless of what some may say, games such as these are most certainly not a new addition to the public house.

About our Guest Blogger:

Andres Hudson is freelance writer. Who has written Article on Touch Screen Jukebox. Touch screen bar games For more information about Touch Screen Music Jukebox, he recommends you to visit http://www.mediatheme.com/