Why sit at the bar in a pub with plenty of seats?

[Hammy02]

Winds me up. I was in our local pub yesterday, loads of free seats but couldn't get to the bar as people were sat all along it. Got a dirty look from someone as I had to shout my order over their head! AIBU?

[Carrotsandcelery]

Makes sense if you are on your own. Doesn't make sense if you are with a crowd of friends though. They are BU to be annoyed about you ordering over them though - that is part of the deal if you sit at the bar!
I hope it didn't spoil your night.

[Bluegrass]

The closer you sit to the bar in a pub the more open you are to conversation with strangers (including the staff). It is part of the complex etiqutte of British pub-going!

[HecateTheCrone]

I think people see the bar area as more social than sitting down at a table, when you're in a pub pub (iyswim ).

"Propping up the bar" and all that.

Closer to the barman/woman to keep the beer flowing.

And you could always say "excuse me, I need to order, can I just squeeze past" instead of shouting over their heads. I'm sure they'd budge up.

[Hammy02]

I know it's petty. It was just the funny look I got that wound me up.

[HecateTheCrone]

they were probably wondering why you didn't just ask them to budge up for you.

[Hammy02]

Pesky barflies!

[Tisallafaff]

Some people sit at the bar so that they can entertain the bar staff with their witty insights. Hours of witty insights.

[HecateTheCrone]

You've met my husband then?

[Salmotrutta]

LOL - Tisallafaff - you are so right

I worked in bars many years ago (during hols and filling in to earn money) and so many men loved to sit and regale staff with their wit

[Hammy02]

Salmotrutta-you are spot on. I worked in a bar when I was a student and regularly had the pleasure of men's hilarious jokes and interesting stories.
There was no escape either.

[Salmotrutta]

It was worse when you were the only person behind the bar..............

[Snorbs]

My dad's one of those people who props up the bar and chats with his mates, the barman and/or anyone else who wanders up to get a drink. He's very charming and does have a great selection of well-practised funny stories. He's a real character.

It also allows him to pretend that he's simply being sociable whereas, in fact, what he's actually doing is feeding his alcoholism in plain sight.

[Bloodymary]

Salmotrutta has got it in one!

[anotherweddingquestion]

.

[mayorquimby]

Propping up the bar is a noble pursuit

[jazz412]

Hecate, I keep seeing you pop up and say things which always make me smile/laugh - had a nose and what happened at Cleethorpes???!

sorry for thread hijack.

[bellavita]

I like to sit at the bar.

[HecateTheCrone]

I'll pm you so's not to nick thread.

bella. This does not surprise me. you old lush.

[bellavita]

[RueLaChesty]

really the bars fault imo, when i worked in pubs i would only have a certain amount of seats in order to avoid this and if it was a busy night we'd move the seats altogether. Its also difficult for staff to see if anyone needs served if you have to stand 2 deep at the bar!

BUT on a quiet night i didn't mind the guys (and some women) propping up the bar!

[Salmotrutta]

One bar I worked in had the old (and I mean old) regulars who appeared every night on the dot. If someone else was sitting on their bar-stool the resulting tutting and dirty looks were marvellous to behold.