Whenever people think of drinking and having a merry time with friends and family, the word “pub” definitely makes a few appearances. British pubs are very well known across the globe. Yet, these establishments, and the culture around them, have a special place in the hearts of the locals. Ever wonder what goes inside a traditional British pub, and what’s the protocol if you ever visit one? Read on and find out.
History Of Pubs In Britain
Pubs have come a long way through both time and space. The idea of a cozy establishment that serves spirits and provides a place to unwind and socialize has existed in Britain for long in the form of taverns. These taverns then turned into alehouses during the Anglo-Saxon occupation of the island country, maintaining their function as a place of congregation and relaxation. Today, pubs serve as a mixing pot for all people, where the drinks flow freely and the locals wind their days down.
Pubs in Britain love their beers, so if you’re looking for a more refined, cocktail-serving bar, you might want to come back when you’re hankering for a beer. The pubs that do serve cocktails and other spirits are few and far between, and you should ask to ensure you’re in the right place. Pubs have their own sort of variety, though. You can choose from ales, pilsners, lagers, stouts, and bitters. These drinks are served in 20-ounce pints, that are 4-ounces deeper than their American counterparts.
Also Read: Bars That Are Older Than India’s Independence
British Pub Etiquettes
Now we did mention that pubs are a place for letting loose. We’re also telling you that there might even be a bit of rabble rousing on an eventful night. There are still some protocols in place that you should know about, to increase your odds of having a jolly good time with some proper chaps!
Self-Service Is King
Most, if not all pubs, have seating areas separate from the bar. If you enter a pub and just plop down in one of these seats though, you’ll be doing a whole lot of nothing except just sitting. If you want to be served, you go to the bar, wait your turn in a queue, place your order, and then sit and enjoy your time at the pub.
While waiting to order, you can slowly nudge your way in, but don’t get to pushing anyone, or the push back might just send you out of the establishment. You signal the staff that you’re ready to order by having your money out in your hand. Don’t bother hollering or ushering, you’ll be served when it’s your time to be served.
Buy Your Round
Pubs are a place to socialize and mingle with people. You can definitely go to a pub solo and chill, but be prepared to be invited to a group or be joined by one. If you aren’t going alone, prepare your wallets and stomach accordingly; the way drinks are ordered in pubs are unique.
People visiting the pub order drinks in rounds, where one person buys the drinks for everyone in their group. This goes on in turns till every member in the group has bought a round. This is why a little preparedness helps, especially if you’re part of a large entourage.
Do keep a few things in mind. First off, don’t be the person that drinks with everyone and vanishes when it’s their turn to buy. Buy your round before you leave. At the same time, you want to avoid keeping anyone in the group waiting with an empty mug. Drinks are typically ordered slightly before the first mug goes empty, so the drinking remains uninterrupted.
P.S. You might want to gather with people who drink slower than or as fast as you. If your company downs drinks like a fish does water, your pacing and sobriety could be in danger!
Also Read: If You Loved Bridgerton, You’ll Love These 6 Lady Cocktails
Size Matters
This one’s especially important for the ladies (har de har har, get your jokes out of your system). Pubs in Britain serve in pints that are larger than the American ones, and there are two serving sizes, normal and halves. As the names suggest, a “normal” gets you a full pint of your drink, while a half gets you… a half. If you couldn’t figure it out yourself, maybe you’ve already had your fill. You should look into hydrating and going to sleep.
Typically, women are served halves and men are served the normal serving (no need to begin a discourse on genders right now, everyone’s just trying to chill). So if you want to be served the other way, make sure you mention it beforehand and avoid any unnecessary to and fro.
Beverage Temps Vary
We’ve all heard of the tempting chilled beer, tried one, and we love it too! However, not all beers are made, or served the same. If the typical chilled beer is what you want, you order a lager in a British pub, but you’d miss out on two local favorites – ales and bitters. Ales are a more fruity, less crisp variant of a lager, and bitters are British beers that have a stronger taste than lagers.
Both ales and bitters are stored in casks in the pubs and pulled from the famous taps that you might have seen in movies or social media. Remember that these two local spirits are served a bit warmer, meaning a room temperature drink is not something you send back to the bar.
Tipping Rules
Tipping in British pubs is done in two ways. You can either pay a rounded up amount and let the establishment keep the change, or you can tell your server “get one for yourself”. The serving staff in the bar will add the charge of that drink to your bill, and they can then either cash it out, or can actually get themselves that drink at their convenience. Nifty, isn’t it?
Also Read: What Are The Different Types Of Beer?
Summing Up
One last thing to remember is that pubs in Britain do not entertain patrons into late nights. Most pubs tend to close up at around 11 p.m. before which they ring a bell or signal out the call for last orders. Once the bar closes, you have about 20 minutes to finish your drink, or leave it unfinished and call it a night.
Now that you know how Britain gets down to drink, you’re better prepared to have a great time whenever you visit a traditional British pub in the future.
FAQs
What Are The Rules Of Pubs In The UK?
Pubs in the UK are bound by opening and closing times. They can be open from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. on Mondays through Saturdays, and from noon to 10:30 p.m. on Sundays.
Is It Illegal To Be Drunk In Pubs In The UK?
Funnily enough, you are not allowed to be drunk in a pub in the UK. This is an old law that is enforced to avoid disorderly conduct, but this also means that pubs can deny serving you if you are too intoxicated.
How To Drink In An English Pub?
People typically visit pubs in groups and buy drinks in rounds. If it is your turn to order for your group, make sure that you know what everyone will have. Once the order is ready, feel free to call on an extra pair of hands to help you carry the drinks to your table.
What Are The UK Drinking Laws?
The UK law prohibits consumption of alcohol by anyone under the age of 18. People caught in violation of this law can be fined, imprisoned or both.
What Is Legally Drunk In The UK?
The legal alcohol limits are 80 milligram of alcohol/100 milliliters of blood and 35 micrograms of alcohol/100 milliliters of breath.
Can You Go To A Pub And Not Drink?
Pubs are as much for socializing as they are for drinking. If you are a teetotaller, or just prefer to not drink at the time, it is perfectly fine to deny a drink and just hang out with your group of people.
What Do British People Do In Pubs?
Most visitors go to pubs to relax, socialize, and have a drink. There are special pubs that also serve meals, are based around specific sports or sports groups, or cater to people of specific nationalities. Whatever your needs may be, the UK just might have a pub specially for you.
