As A rule, themed pubs produce the opposite effect to what the owners intended.
Trying to seduce punters with a bit of counterfeit Celtic charm or convincing them that to drink Australian makes them off- duty, musclebound surf gods doesn't give a pub character. It's still cheap booze that coaxes them over the door.
Adding soul to your average saloon bar is a hit or miss business and success is not usually the result of a market research campaign.
If it were, the idea of Herges would have been ditched at the first power breakfast meeting.
Herges, in Galashiels, is a traditional pub with touches of Tin Tin. For those who may have missed it, Herges Adventures of Tin Tin was a children's cartoon from the early '60s, which is now a cult classic.
The hero with the funny quiff was an adventurous little Belgian boy with a dog called Snowy and a couple of bowler- hatted sidekicks called the Thompson Twins. So a Scottish Borders pub with a shrine to Tin Tin seems to be making a play for the Euro- weirdo market.
That's not to say that owners Sandy and Karen Craig are weird. They might have decorated their pub with all sorts of Tin Tin memorabilia, but for over 10 years they have run a place that it seems would be a favourite haunt in town without displaying their little quirk.
The theme is just a whim, and although it gives the place some identity, they provide enough character along the traditional lines of a friendly, well- run pub.
Behind glossy, bright red doors, devotees of Topshop, Marks & Spencer and Mothercare seem to hang out happily together.
A cosy-looking gantry and traditional but airy pub interior keep it from being the exclusive haunt of the younger crowd, but an unstuffy atmosphere and a late licence keep them interested.
The place is very much part of the community and aside from the pictures of Tin Tin and Captain Haddock, on the back wall is a rogue's gallery of caricatures of bar staff past and present.
During the day, and into the evening, the bistro provides a menu that sums up this bar's please- all approach. Deep fried scampi for the traditionalists and Thai fishcakes for the adventurous.
Despite the late licence, the mature posse aren't tidied away along with the high chairs. The music is upbeat but mellow. DJs are on hand when appropriate, as at the local college's freshers week, and a little known fact is that this is where the famous Jengaheads honed their turntable act while still undergraduates.
Herges still keeps its friendly character on weekend nights - it's just revved up a few notches. Which, Tin Tin or not, seems to be its main and most popular theme.
Open: Tue, Wed, 11am-2.30pm, 6pm-midnight; Thur, Fri, 11am-2.30pm, 6pm- 2am; Sat, 11am-2.30am; Sun, 6pm-midnight; closed Mon
Drinks: Pint of lager, £2; glass of wine, £1.60; spirit and mixer, £1.45
Details
01896 750400
Behind glossy, bright red doors, devotees of Topshop, Marks & Spencer and Mothercare seem to hang out happily together.
A cosy-looking gantry and traditional but airy pub interior keep it from being the exclusive haunt of the younger crowd, but an unstuffy atmosphere and a late licence keep them interested.
The place is very much part of the community and aside from the pictures of Tin Tin and Captain Haddock, on the back wall is a rogue's gallery of caricatures of bar staff past and present.
During the day, and into the evening, the bistro provides a menu that sums up this bar's please- all approach. Deep fried scampi for the traditionalists and Thai fishcakes for the adventurous.
Despite the late licence, the mature posse aren't tidied away along with the high chairs. The music is upbeat but mellow. DJs are on hand when appropriate, as at the local college's freshers week, and a little known fact is that this is where the famous Jengaheads honed their turntable act while still undergraduates.
Herges still keeps its friendly character on weekend nights - it's just revved up a few notches. Which, Tin Tin or not, seems to be its main and most popular theme.
Open: Tue, Wed, 11am-2.30pm, 6pm-midnight; Thur, Fri, 11am-2.30pm, 6pm- 2am; Sat, 11am-2.30am; Sun, 6pm-midnight; closed Mon
