Pubs closed till September

As a non-drinker it is easy for me to say, but would the move to more of a cafe culture be a bad thing?
People sat at tables enjoying a drink and food, being brought drinks and food by an army of waiters etc might actually be a better business model and also reduce the incidences of binge drinking.

That’s an interesting point, I’ve often wondered why most other European countries (with the exception of Germany) have table service in all of their bars, whereas in the UK we are happy to queue en mass at a crowded bar. Outside of Europe, the only country I’ve visited where this happens is the US, maybe I’ve not been to enough bars (I find that unlikely). The culture of standing up and swigging pints is alien to most cultures.
 
I’d be quite happy to see queuing at bars abolished in favour of table service - very annoying being ignored or have people push in front of you at a bar


🐔
 
As a non-drinker it is easy for me to say, but would the move to more of a cafe culture be a bad thing?
People sat at tables enjoying a drink and food, being brought drinks and food by an army of waiters etc might actually be a better business model and also reduce the incidences of binge drinking.

I have to say I've really got used to it and much prefer it - it's the norm here in Spain of course
 
Yes to both!

Apparently the Steam Packet is owned by "food and fuel" which is a Sub company of Chiquitos. Along with the really nice Duke in Richmond and Roebuck in Chiswick. They won't be reopening any of them. Sad times really, mind you Chiquitos were struggling before all this.

That is a shame, Steam Packet hasn’t been opened long, I lived in Chiswick, Barrowgate Road, and had a mate who probably lived in the flats right next to the One Over The Ait, tended to meet up there and have a bar crawl on a Friday afternoon or Sunday afternoon, we’d go into Central London or Richmond, some great pubs around Kew Green, great place to be based and I do miss it.
 
I’d be quite happy to see queuing at bars abolished in favour of table service - very annoying being ignored or have people push in front of you at a bar🐔
It's part of the job of bar staff to ensure that that doesn't happen, and that people are served in the correct order. Unfortunately they don't seem to teach them that any more, although they shouldn't have to.
 
I would have thought that September would be precisely when they would be worrying about a potential second wave in the autumn.
 
On the subject of US v's UK bar culture, I'm afraid I much prefer the US approach.

It's one of the things I really miss about the US - sitting at a bar next to complete strangers, starting a chat and making "friends" for the evening and then going your separate ways at the end of the night.
 
On the subject of US v's UK bar culture, I'm afraid I much prefer the US approach.

It's one of the things I really miss about the US - sitting at a bar next to complete strangers, starting a chat and making "friends" for the evening and then going your separate ways at the end of the night.
Lizard I do that all over the world, the UK and other countries. I work away a lot. I am a magician so I do have a fairly easy introduction, but nevertheless it's down to each individual to start a conversation.
 
Lizard I do that all over the world, the UK and other countries. I work away a lot. I am a magician so I do have a fairly easy introduction, but nevertheless it's down to each individual to start a conversation.

My point is more that the UK isn't really set up for that, as we don't generally sit at the bar in the UK, but instead take our drink across to a table (especially when also having a bite to eat). Unlike in US bars where people (particularly those alone) tend to sit at the bar.
 
My point is more that the UK isn't really set up for that, as we don't generally sit at the bar in the UK
and a good thing too.

Lizard I do that all over the world, the UK and other countries. I work away a lot. I am a magician so I do have a fairly easy introduction, but nevertheless it's down to each individual to start a conversation.
I hope you are not one of those who doesn't appreciate that someone on their own in a pub might actually want to be on their own.
 
We won't see a change in culture. Infact those pubs (especially ones that do food) that have chosen to furlough their staff instead of closing down for good will see massive uptake in business when this is all over. I know of one place that's using this downtime to renovate the kitchen area and outside areas of their establishment with full support of the brewery who are landlords.
 
We won't see a change in culture. Infact those pubs (especially ones that do food) that have chosen to furlough their staff instead of closing down for good will see massive uptake in business when this is all over. I know of one place that's using this downtime to renovate the kitchen area and outside areas of their establishment with full support of the brewery who are landlords.
Speaking of I was thinking of the pub in Salisbury that had to close because of the novichock thing. They took that opportunity to completely renovate. Now they are shut again. Shame that.
 
Pubs are a great part of British life. Many places do great food too so it's not just a completely drinking culture.

I enjoy going to my local with my family for a meal.
 
Well an oncologist on twitter has indicated an exit strategy could start in mid May. Starting with businesses with less than 50 people reopening. I think other countries have taken this approach too.

Everything will be fully functional by July 1st is my guess. And that is purely a guess.
 
Well an oncologist on twitter has indicated an exit strategy could start in mid May. Starting with businesses with less than 50 people reopening. I think other countries have taken this approach too.

Everything will be fully functional by July 1st is my guess. And that is purely a guess.

He's obviously more knowledgeable than me, or the average man on the street, but he's a specialist in cancer not in viral diseases and so I'd not put too much weight on his opinion. The government will also factor in economic as well as health factors into any decision.
 
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