Called to the Bar
I note another twitter discussion on whether standing at the bar in pubs (currently not possible) is a good or a bad thing.
Jeff Bell, owner of a pub in Rye and well known in the beer and beard trade, is underlining again that table service is better than ordering or standing at the bar. Indeed this is normal across much of Europe.
Others like the experience of standing or sitting at the bar- and while its mainly a male thing that’s not entirely so and is sometimes focused on locals who know each other and the bar staff.
Ive never really been a fan- which is not say you would never have seen me sitting at a bar particularly if the pub is quiet. In general I prefer to sit and read or these days look at what people are saying on twitter about the above at a table.
I do however like checking what is on and ordering at the bar. I have no problem with Apps- I hardly could have as a union officer in the telecoms area-but it just makes the ordering process a bit more formal than I prefer. Pubs really should be about informality.
Of course *other* people sitting at the bar can make ordering there difficult and perhaps off putting and then there is the Wetherspoons random service method where standing not at the bar may get you served quicker than doing so…
Veteran bearded beer writers Pete Brown and Adrian Tierney Jones discussed the issue of pub table service and standing and ordering at the bar on Radio 4s PM on Monday. From 52m here: bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0…
I agree with Pete Brown that even if I want to sit at a table-and I usually do-seeing what’s on at the bar and perhaps a social chat with someone can be a good part of being in a pub.
Elsewhere the Morning Advertiser has an article about how parts of the pub trade are very keen to end social distancing and get more customers in so pubs are viable. I dont believe the operator of Yummy pubs whoever they are who claims he is turning away thousands of customers a week unless of course he is running a chain of pubs in ex-telephone boxes. However allowing more people is important, standing at the bar or not, provided the assessment is that it is reasonably safe. So in conclusion…
There are then social solidarity and gender aspects of this debate but the bottom line is that its one that can only be had because pubs are open again as safe spaces. The point there being if you haven’t been vaccinated please get the jab when its offered.,
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