Knick-Knack Paddy-Whack, Give a Pub a Theme

Journal of Marketing Management, Vol. 16, pp. 647-662, 2000

16 Pages Posted: 12 Feb 2012

See all articles by Stephen Brown

Stephen Brown

Ulster University

Anthony Patterson

University of Liverpool

Date Written: February 11, 2000

Abstract

Few cities in the UK lack an ‘authentic’ Irish bar, be it O’Neill’s, Scruffy Murphy’s or Shifty O’Shea’s. Theme pubs, like theme parks, theme hotels and theme restaurants, are very big business. Yet the marketing academy seems somewhat reluctant to investigate such establishments, professionally at least. This essay examines the theme pub phenomenon and offers some reflexive reflections on the recent, rapid rise of themed environments. It concludes with some lessons for marketing scholars, contending that excess is the essence of our field. As William Blake observed, the road of excess may lead to the palace of wisdom.

Keywords: Irish pubs, Ireland, theming

Suggested Citation

Brown, Stephen and Patterson, Anthony, Knick-Knack Paddy-Whack, Give a Pub a Theme (February 11, 2000). Journal of Marketing Management, Vol. 16, pp. 647-662, 2000, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2003477

Stephen Brown

Ulster University ( email )

Northland Road
Londonderry, BT48 7JL
Northern Ireland

Anthony Patterson (Contact Author)

University of Liverpool ( email )

Chatham Street
Liverpool, Merseyside L69 7ZH
United Kingdom

HOME PAGE: http://www.liv.ac.uk/management/staff/anthony-patterson/

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