Visiting a pub in London or another city located in the United Kingdom surely is exciting! After all, these are some of the most popular places among Brits. Nonetheless, to have a truly superb experience, it is advisable to first get familiar with a few specifics regarding these facilities. This read will help you get to learn a few essential social rules associated with the activity of visiting public houses. We advise you to read our post until the end in order not to miss anything important.
Why Are Pubs So Popular in the United Kingdom?
Many people have been left with the false impression that pubs are places where people get drunk, sing loud old-school songs, and fall asleep at the bar. We are quick to assure you that public houses are nothing like that! In fact, a pub is a place where you can chill out after a long day at work, a place where you can meet an old friend, or you may even go there with your parents.
British people love going to such places because the atmosphere there is super welcoming and the menu usually offers tasty traditional meals, apart from drinks. Even though everyone is able to go there, we advise you to have a look at the things one should get familiar with in case they have never been to a pub before. This read will be super useful for potential tourists who consider visiting the United Kingdom in the near future.
The Menu
One of the first things you should remember is that most pubs do not serve food. Of course, there are places where you will be able to enjoy delicious meals, such as salads, sandwiches, burgers, pasta, desserts, etc. Nonetheless, pubs are mostly known as places where one can order a glass of ale or lager. Some of the most common food choices you’ll encounter feature:
- Nuts
- Crisps
- Crackers
- Small desserts
If you fancy a super extravagant cocktail, a pub may not be the best option for you. Yes, you may order something like Seven and Seven or Rum & Coke. However, complicated drinks like Mai Tai, Long Island Iced Tea, and Manhattan are quite unlikely to be part of the saloon’s menu. Pubs are all about simplicity and comfort.
Tipping the Bartender
Bartenders at pubs are usually super friendly and polite, so you will definitely feel the need to tip them to express your admiration. Nevertheless, giving the person behind the bar a ten-dollar pound banknote is not something most people do. In the UK, if you wish to give the barman a tip, you should simply offer to buy him a drink.
If he accepts, you will then have to pay for it. On the other hand, if he refuses to have a drink, then you can give him the respective amount of money in the form of a tip. If you are a tourist, the barman will not get offended or something by the fact that you wish to tip them. However, it is still good to get familiar with the peculiarities of the respective place before visiting it.
Don’t Wait for a Waiter
If you go to a pub, sit at a table, and wait for the waiter to come and pick up your order, you may waste a few precious hours of your time. Pubs are self-serving facilities. This would mean that if you wish to get a drink, you will simply have to go to the bar and tell the bartender what you want. Even if the public house serves food, you will, again, have to order it yourself. The trip back to your table may be an adventure if the pub is crowded with people, so we advise you to be careful.
Different Types of Pubs You May Encounter
Another thing to note is that there are different types of pubs one may visit. For example, football fans like going to saloons where matches are streamed on large TV screens every week. Such events are excellent for people who want to meet other like-minded individuals. Additionally, there are pubs that are mostly visited by Australians or New Zealanders. One such place is The Slug. Needless to say, there is nothing wrong with going to such a saloon, however, you may not feel in the right place there.
Ringing the Bell
Although the majority of people have a blast at pubs and don’t want to leave until midnight, these places usually close their doors somewhere between 11:30 PM and 12:30 AM. Therefore, if you visit a place that serves food, you may hear a ring bell at 10:45, for example. This would mean that the kitchen is ready to accept the final orders of clients.
Approximately 20 minutes after the first bell, a second will follow. It will indicate that the kitchen is now officially closed. If you fail to order a meal during this period, you will, unfortunately, won’t be able to do it after that. Also, it’s essential to keep in mind that the second ring of the bell announces that the bar closes, too. Thus, you will not have the opportunity to order another glass of pale ale.
