Revival of the Pub Scene Gaining Momentum - Revitalization underway for pub traditions.
In the heart of Fischbach, a small village nestled near Dahn, a new chapter has begun for the iconic "Bierstübchen" pub. After a year and a quarter, the pub, which stands in the shadow of Mainz Cathedral, has been open every Saturday since its new ownership.
Three friends, aged between 28 and 44, with no prior experience in owning a pub, took over the reins of the "Bierstübchen". Their journey to ownership began a decade ago when they measured the bar length of the pub. Their determination paid off, and they have since transformed the pub into a vibrant hub for the local community and visitors alike.
The new owners have put a considerable amount of effort into the drinks menu, offering a range of beer varieties, shots, long drinks, sodas, and their own creations. The pub's interior, while retaining its traditional aesthetic, has undergone some renovation work, including painting, new upholstery for chairs, and setting up a smoking area with ventilation.
Since its reopening in April of the previous year, the "Bierstübchen" has attracted a diverse customer base, including regulars, students, retirees, river cruise tourists, and airline crews. The pub's success is a beacon of hope in a society that has seen the decline of many pubs in small towns over the past decades, partly due to the construction of community houses in the 1980s and 90s, which hurt the hall business for pubs.
Gereon Haumann, president of the hotel and restaurant association Dehoga Rhineland-Palatinate, echoes this sentiment, stating that every reopened pub is a beacon of hope, especially in a lonely society. The new owners are also hoping to receive attention from the Rhineland-Palatinate Minister-President Alexander Schweitzer, aiming to become a lighthouse project.
The active board members of the Cultural and Social Association Fischbach invest about two hours per week on average, and the "Bierstübchen" now has 15 helpers, including mini-jobbers, student workers, and a full-time employee. However, the path to taking over the pub was not easy due to bureaucratic challenges and lack of prior experience.
As the new owners continue to navigate the challenges commonly faced by pub owners, such as competition from larger bars and restaurants or chains, increasing rental and operating costs, changes in social habits and drinking culture, and regulatory and licensing restrictions related to alcohol and noise, they remain optimistic about the future of the "Bierstübchen".
Haumann suggests that keeping traditional interiors can save startup costs and attract different people, including those who frequented pubs 20 years ago and young people who find wooden pubs with long bars and bar stools cool. The new owners have certainly achieved this, creating a welcoming and authentic atmosphere that has become a cherished part of the Fischbach community.
The new owners have integrated the employment policy of having a diverse workforce, involving mini-jobbers, student workers, and a full-time employee, to sustain the operation of the "Bierstübchen". With an expanded lifestyle that caters to a broad customer base, they aim to make food-and-drink choices more varied and appealing in the home-and-garden ambiance of the pub.
