Watching the rugby in the pub with no sound???

Question

Me and a few mates went into town (Leeds) on saturday to watch the England match (would've gone to the local, but they weren't showing it; in a student area too!). First we went to walkabout, but was a bit pricey so went to wetherspoons (not a usual haunt, but was closest pub that defo showed it). Just like in walkabout, there was no sound. We asked them if they could turn the tv up a bit, they said no, so we did it ourselves. The barman came and turned it down, telling us that they're only allowed sound on one tv. We asked why, he didn't know.

So, why the h**l don't pubs seem to have sound for the matches? It doesn't make sense (at least not to me).

Answer 1

I think Wetherspoons have always had a policy of no music and no sound on their TV's - to allow people to converse without shouting mainly I think. I can never understand why they can't be a little bit more flexible on this policy though. I can't stand watching sport with no sound.

Answer 2

Well Doug their probably trying to make up for the fact that the 1976 Who concert almost demolished the city being the loudest rock concert of all time. Charlton Athletic Football Club Leeds 31/05/1976.

My ears are still ringing and I live in New Zealand.

Answer 3

it is better without the sound.  Some idiot stating the obvious, "Wilkinson has kicked the ball into touch"

"That was a great try"

"he will be sorry he missed that penalty"

"Argentina have a rollover"

and so on

the only benefit of having sound is to hear the crowd (just my opinion of course!)

Answer 4

I remember someone telling me a while back that wetherspoons try to keep noise to a minimum.  No juke boxes, no arcade machines, etc.  It's supposed to be somewhere that people can go for a quiet reasonably priced drink/meal and a chat.

I watched the matches in an Irish bar in Switzerland.... with sound.  Great matches weren't they!!!

Answer 5

It's a pity you Brits don't have "Roy & HG".

In Australia these two guys do a radio commentary on the big rugby league & union and the Aussie rules matches. They're absolutely hilarious!!! We usually turn the sound off on the TV & turn the radio up.....................

I think you can download their podcasts from www.triplej.com.au

Agree with the comments about Walkabout.......overpriced & too many Aussies in there ;-))

Answer 6

I remember watching one of the England world cup games in a packed walkabout and absolutely no one could hear the commentary and despite abuse and shouting from lots they wouldn't turn it up.

I never really thought bout it till you asked this!

Answer 7

you shoulhave put the sound back on and keep doing it

Answer 8

Lots of pubs don't have music either(wetherspoons) as they need a entertainments licence, these cost a fortune. You can show video with the sound off and not have to pay it.

Answer 9

Ha-ha - Walkabout was 'a bit pricey'

Thanks for that, cheered me up.