What’s with this weird new trend of youngsters standing behind one another at the bar / pub, rather than queuing all in 1 mass? When did this become the norm??

Lockdown has a lot to answer for. Generation of youths dont know how to pub

Never seen it A apart from the miners upstairs… for which most have been going to the pub long before they were regarded as youngsters

The Shire Claret wrote: ↑

Wed May 21, 2025 8:50 pm

Never seen it A apart from the miners upstairs… for which most have been going to the pub long before they were regarded as youngsters

Ha ha, do they still do that upstairs in the miners? Then grudgingly move when you need the gents.

I've pubbed all my adult life (and some of my pubescent life) and I like it, nearly as much as I like table service. I can understand why those who used the full length of the bar to queue jump are a little miffed though.

Duffer_ wrote: ↑

Wed May 21, 2025 8:55 pm

I've pubbed all my adult life (and some of my pubescent life) and I like it, nearly as much as I like table service. I can understand why those who used the full length of the bar to queue jump are a little miffed though.

Any barman/lass worth their salt knows who is next

ChrisG wrote: ↑

Wed May 21, 2025 8:56 pm

Any barman/lass worth their salt knows who is next

Maybe it's personal then but I've been to some pretty busy bars where the bar staff could be forgiven for not knowing. Punters, on the other hand...

Tend to get a couple of pints each round if it's crowded which helps a bit.

Duffer_ wrote: ↑

Wed May 21, 2025 8:58 pm

Maybe it's personal then but I've been to some pretty busy bars where the bar staff could be forgiven for not knowing. Punters, on the other hand...

Aye, I've worked in various bars over the years, and you tend to look around when you're pulling a pint and suss it out.

You always got one though who pushed in and started waving a note at you. In that instance, they can get in the bin and wait til last

Just order on the app.

dougcollins wrote: ↑

Wed May 21, 2025 8:54 pm

Ha ha, do they still do that upstairs in the miners? Then grudgingly move when you need the gents.

Bang on lol

Table service is a game changer though. Doesnt even take much more staff

ŽižkovClaret wrote: ↑

Wed May 21, 2025 9:14 pm

Table service is a game changer though. Doesnt even take much more staff

Definitely, 95% of places near me are table service. If anything you spend more as it's easier to order another one when someone asks you, so you'd imagine they actually make more despite the extra staff

I’d add that there’s no table service in this very ropey sports bar in Trowbridge…!

Table service was the only good thing about covid restrictions.

Spoons app, though pre covid, is a thing of wonder. I love it.

Daft really, see it all over. Single file queues at bars. Worst thing to happen cos of COVID, that and supermarket staff thinking they are superheroes

McDonald’s.

It's a bit slower as staff have to wait for new customer to walk a few yards forward before ordering.

Stops any falling out/fights over people waltzing in.

Personally I find whatever you want in terms of service appalling with long wait times & the staff being ill equipped to deal with things. It's life draining wherever you go. I try to be as self sufficient as I can without relying on anybody for anything.

ŽižkovClaret wrote: ↑

Wed May 21, 2025 9:14 pm

Table service is a game changer though. Doesnt even take much more staff

We went to Italy last summer. The experience of eating/drinking it out to far beyond anything in England. One bar in Bologna even kept the ashtrays clean after each and every cigarette was smoked.

Dyched wrote: ↑

Wed May 21, 2025 11:40 pm

We went to Italy last summer. The experience of eating/drinking it out to far beyond anything in England. One bar in Bologna even kept the ashtrays clean after each and every cigarette was smoked.

I can't say I have ever noticed an ashtray in England since the smoking ban.

Dyched wrote: ↑

Wed May 21, 2025 11:40 pm

We went to Italy last summer. The experience of eating/drinking it out to far beyond anything in England. One bar in Bologna even kept the ashtrays clean after each and every cigarette was smoked.

I do like a random trip to Bologna. Cheap return from Ryanair and a saturday night just off the square with a little lasagne after every 3 or so drinks

Ill never be a skinny man

ŽižkovClaret wrote: ↑

Thu May 22, 2025 9:34 am

I do like a random trip to Bologna. Cheap return from Ryanair and a saturday night just off the square with a little lasagne after every 3 or so drinks

Ill never be a skinny man

Is Bologna worth going to? I've noticed cheap flights on ryanair, but it put me off that the flight back is at 6am

48 hours is plenty. Nice square, plenty of little places to grab a bite to eat with your wine

My uncle emigrated to Canada in 2008. He has a mate who is a massive football fan, really knows his stuff.
Anyway, he was over here and I got him a ticket for the United home game in 2015 (the one where it finished 0-0 and Jones hit the bar.)
We went in the miners and he went to get a round. He just stood there patiently at the bar waiting to get served.
I had to go up and tell him you have to make your presence known to the person behind the bar, we don't really queue at bars. He watched other people and soon cottoned on

Claret86 wrote: ↑

Thu May 22, 2025 9:38 am

Is Bologna worth going to? I've noticed cheap flights on ryanair, but it put me off that the flight back is at 6am

Always the option to train it up from there to Milan and return from one of those airports

Claret86 wrote: ↑

Thu May 22, 2025 9:38 am

Is Bologna worth going to? I've noticed cheap flights on ryanair, but it put me off that the flight back is at 6am

It’s absolutely fantastic. We loved it.

Claret86 wrote: ↑

Thu May 22, 2025 9:38 am

Is Bologna worth going to? I've noticed cheap flights on ryanair, but it put me off that the flight back is at 6am

Definitely. Went there on business originally and liked it so much I've been back there with my wife on several occasions. Food is great and there are so many restaurants to choose from. It's a compact city with some wonderful architecture and home to the oldest university in Europe.

It's not cheap but it's not particularly expensive either.

So Italy are so far behind they don't ban smoking indoors?

Was in a pub in the lakes this weekend. Huge bar, but people queuing in a line out the door and into the beer garden. The bar had big signs which stated do not queue in single file.

Couple of us decided to point it out and moved to the bar with a few angry faces watching. Some followed suit. Some stuck to their guns and continued queuing single file.

Thoughts?

Woodleyclaret wrote: ↑

Thu May 22, 2025 10:48 am

So Italy are so far behind they don't ban smoking indoors?

Italy had a smoking ban in force before the UK. Having spent my summer in Italy, I was back in the UK during the weeks before our own ban came into force, hearing no end of folk saying 'It won't work/we'll defy the ban/we won't stand for it'. My reaction was invariably "If they can get the Italians to stop smoking in bars, getting the Brits to comply will be a pissball.'

ArmchairDetective wrote: ↑

Thu May 22, 2025 10:56 am

Was in a pub in the lakes this weekend. Huge bar, but people queuing in a line out the door and into the beer garden. The bar had big signs which stated do not queue in single file.

Couple of us decided to point it out and moved to the bar with a few angry faces watching. Some followed suit. Some stuck to their guns and continued queuing single file.

Thoughts?

I mean, if they have a sign telling them not to queue on the bar itself, its not even an argument is it?

Thoughts? Don't do long queues and go to another pub/bar. If they are busy too, then next time go to the quieters parts of The Lakes where, on the whole, your custom will be welcomed with opened arms, and you'll also avoid the hoi polloi.

ArmchairDetective wrote: ↑

Thu May 22, 2025 10:56 am

Was in a pub in the lakes this weekend. Huge bar, but people queuing in a line out the door and into the beer garden. The bar had big signs which stated do not queue in single file.

Couple of us decided to point it out and moved to the bar with a few angry faces watching. Some followed suit. Some stuck to their guns and continued queuing single file.

Thoughts?

Brave, but completely correct.

Those who were queueing and darting accusatory glances might have felt self-righteous in the moment but if they have any goodness in their souls they'll awake in a cold sweat in the dark of the night.

We hope they repent but you shalt sleep soundly knowing you did the right thing.

Woodleyclaret wrote: ↑

Thu May 22, 2025 10:48 am

So Italy are so far behind they don't ban smoking indoors?

You can still smoke in pubs in Germany, it's very common. Not so much in food places, but strictly boozing holes are definitely fair game. It's odd being in the stands in the Bundesliga with every man and his dog lighting up.

Happens at my Wetherspoons in Skipton frequently, but weirdly seemingly only the day drinkers, not in the evening, nor any of the weekend warriors and it's almost uniformly over 50's men.

I always march to the front and leave a trail of punters giving me the shiza eye in my wake.

Only once have I been accosted for it "there's a queue here pal". I just laughed at him and said that's not how It works. The lass who served me said "they're all regulars and they've been told we're not going to honour the queue if someone doesn't want to do it, so please carry on doing it, it's the only way they'll learn'.

It's on YOU, dear punter, to make a stand.

ArmchairDetective wrote: ↑

Thu May 22, 2025 10:56 am

Was in a pub in the lakes this weekend. Huge bar, but people queuing in a line out the door and into the beer garden. The bar had big signs which stated do not queue in single file.

Couple of us decided to point it out and moved to the bar with a few angry faces watching. Some followed suit. Some stuck to their guns and continued queuing single file.

Thoughts?

Are you sure they were angry and not just puzzled? 2 grown men pushing an armchair into a pub up to the bar.

BigGaz wrote: ↑

Thu May 22, 2025 3:25 pm

Happens at my Wetherspoons in Skipton frequently, but weirdly seemingly only the day drinkers

Odd why they don't use the Spoons app and have their order delivered to their table. I can understand going to the bar in the evening when all the tables are taken, but during the day?

Clovius Boofus wrote: ↑

Thu May 22, 2025 4:27 pm

Odd why they don't use the Spoons app and have their order delivered to their table. I can understand going to the bar in the evening when all the tables are taken, but during the day?

I guarantee at least 50% of them would call using the app "Woke nonsense"

ChrisG wrote: ↑

Wed May 21, 2025 8:56 pm

Any barman/lass worth their salt knows who is next

And then there's Wetherspoons.

ŽižkovClaret wrote: ↑

Thu May 22, 2025 4:37 pm

I guarantee at least 50% of them would call using the app "Woke nonsense"

Or witchcraft.

Rubbish concept. Go to most European bars and you'll get table service and pay half the price for your drink.

ClaretOfMancunia wrote: ↑

Thu May 22, 2025 5:14 pm

Rubbish concept. Go to most European bars and you'll get table service and pay half the price for your drink.

Table service is slow and the thirsty British pint downer wouldn’t appreciate the wait.

As for European prices being cheaper - ha!

You need to get out (of the UK) more often

The problem is that most bar staff don’t pay attention to the order that people arrive at the bar, and most punters are selfish and will not let said bar staff know if someone has been waiting longer than them.

ClaretOfMancunia wrote: ↑

Thu May 22, 2025 5:14 pm

Rubbish concept. Go to most European bars and you'll get table service and pay half the price for your drink.

We have one of the highest alcohol duty rates in Europe, i think its the Scandinavian countries that beat us.
Ive noticed in most of Europe, people associate alcohol with food and they make more of an effort to go out and eat and drink. In some places in Rome, I couldn't order a beer if I wasn't eating.
More people going out means they can serve alcohol cheaper

When I saw this thread I thought it was going to be about the issues for food & drink on the concourses at the Turf.

Rowls wrote: ↑

Thu May 22, 2025 5:33 pm

Table service is slow and the thirsty British pint downer wouldn’t appreciate the wait.

As for European prices being cheaper - ha!

You need to get out (of the UK) more often

It's literally 4€ for a 0,2l glass of wine near me, and 5€ for a 0,5l of locally brewed beer in probably the most expensive tourist town near Frankfurt. It's not expensive.

By contrast, I was in Barnoldswick 3 weeks ago and paid circa 24 pounds for 2 glasses of Pinot Grigio and a pint of Landlord bitter.

I will also caveat that with the round in Green Street that cost me around £12 for a pint of cask ale, a white white and soda, a gin and tonic, and a sprite

ChrisG wrote: ↑

Thu May 22, 2025 7:40 pm

I will also caveat that with the round in Green Street

Good to know that Green Street is still open.

Claret86 wrote: ↑

Thu May 22, 2025 9:41 am

My uncle emigrated to Canada in 2008. He has a mate who is a massive football fan, really knows his stuff.
Anyway, he was over here and I got him a ticket for the United home game in 2015 (the one where it finished 0-0 and Jones hit the bar.)
We went in the miners and he went to get a round. He just stood there patiently at the bar waiting to get served.
I had to go up and tell him you have to make your presence known to the person behind the bar, we don't really queue at bars. He watched other people and soon cottoned on

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