spit-and-sawdust

spit-and-sawdust

Describing a basic, old-fashioned pub that is perhaps not as clean as more modernized establishments. In the past, many pubs had sawdust on the floor. Primarily heard in UK. You can keep all those trendy gastropubs. I just want a quiet spit-and-sawdust place where I can get a pint.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

spit and sawdust

BRITISH
A spit and sawdust pub or bar is dirty, untidy, and does not look respectable. I used to perform with a rock and roll band in the spit and sawdust Waterfront club. There's a pub called `The Compasses' in the High Street if it's spit and sawdust you're after. Note: In the past, the public bars of many pubs had sawdust on the floor to soak up the mess caused by people spitting and spilling their drinks.
See also: and, sawdust, spit
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

spit and sawdust

(of a pub) old-fashioned, run-down, or dirty. British informal
Until the mid 20th century, the general bar of a pub would often have sawdust sprinkled on the floor, on to which the customers could spit.
See also: and, sawdust, spit
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • spit and sawdust
  • ye olde
  • fashion
  • I'll be bound
  • (draw the sword and) throw away the scabbard
  • a rogues' gallery
  • rogues gallery
  • rogues' gallery
References in periodicals archive
Hasn't been aimed as high as many of these rivals, but I'd take his kind of spit-and-sawdust performances over the 'untapped' potential of horses who've been finishing down the field in Pattern races
Support for Generous Thought can pay dividends; SPREADWISE
The venue, at the rear of Broad Street, has been transformed from the former spit-and-sawdust boozer that was Darwins into a brand new gastro pub with its own heated 'urban garden'.
Swan of the best for a fiver; THE WHITE SWAN, Ladywood
Don't expect a spit-and-sawdust traditional pub like the Queen's Vaults next door.
FOOD: BREW VIEW
Most pubs have smoking 'break-out' areas, car boot sale decor and few would survive without trendy youngsters swigging fizzy drinks, but well-kept ale is seldom confined to spit-and-sawdust back street inns.
Letter: A quick word; REAL ALE
A brass quartet joined an accordion, rag-time piano, fiddles, banjos and tambourines on stage - making them look every inch the travelling band playing at a spit-and-sawdust watering hole in the Deep South.
What's Going on: Review; BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN WITH THE SEEGER SESSION BAND Manchester Arena
It was once a prominent spit-and-sawdust boozer standing pretty much alone on that stretch of the Tyne.
Plain-sailing Sunday dining
"The pubs are the old-fashioned type, a bit spit-and-sawdust but with real, down-to-earth characters.
WOMANKILLED AT PUB
There are spit-and-sawdust pubs, where only those whose faces are known dare go.
pub of the week; The Griffin
I've heard of spit-and-sawdust pubs, but the PF is only the second pub I've frequented that has genuine sawdust sprinkled on the floor.
eating out: Who hated all the pies? dining MAD O'ROURKE'S PIE FACTORY, TIPTON
The rise of the so-called 'gastropub', chain pubs and expensive bar refurbishments all seem to be conspiring to lay the spit-and-sawdust tradition to rest across the nation.
Let's pop down the gastropub and have a little rosemary jus; Many locals are being expensively changed
He said: 'Pubs have moved away from the traditional spit-and-sawdust image of 30 years ago to embrace a relaxed cafe culture and to take advantage of the rise in eating out.
Bosses woo graduates to cafe culture bar careers; Winning Punch: Pub company strikes a blow for new trendsetting image
When he tumbles as readily as the spin dryer on your washing machine, Johnson is undeniably like a spit-and-sawdust pub: A bit of a dive, but worth a few points.
Football: Johnson all set for centre stage; BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE SPURS 1 EVERTON 3 Martin Jol's flops hit rock bottom
As from next summer, out go the spit-and-sawdust pubs with their obnoxious atmosphere, and people will be able to eat in restaurants without the smell of cigarette smoke spoiling their meal.
Letter: Cigs ban good for everyone
- that you wouldn't expect to find in a spit-and-sawdust pub.
Fun and excitement under gloomy cover; DARWINS, Birmingham