I've done both.
Working in a pub is superb fun when you're in the mood for it, as it's basically working with your mates at night and drunk people are (usually) funny. Pay was atrocious though, and still is in hospitality. Running a plumbing company definitely pays better, and it's not as horrendous as people think, but when stuff goes downhill it does so in a seriously bad way
What do I prefer? Neither, really. Put a gun to my head and I'll pick a fun job over a well paid one though. But only because I've seen the other side and already had the nice things.