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Original poster

To think you can’t sit in a pub all evening and not buy a single drunk

244 replies

bagpuss90 · 17/08/2025 12:58

I belong to a small ladies group. We used to meet in a bring your own drinks venue. That sadly closed and we now meet in a local pub restaurant. There’s usually around six of us and we book a table. The last couple of times three of them didn’t buy a single thing - not a soft drink , not a coffee. When I said I was going to get a glass of wine - one of them even said “well you would!””. They’re all lovely but aibu to think the venues are struggling and you just can’t do this. Also I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before the management say something (I don’t think they’ve noticed so far) to us. I think I’m going to have to broach it on the WhatsApp group

OP posts:
IHaveAlwaysLivedintheCastle · 18/08/2025 08:36

BondAway25 · 18/08/2025 02:20

😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫

the difference in price between soda £0 & soda with lime £4 so yes I was paying £4 extra for a squeeze if line, which to me is extortionate.

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Oh fgs - what a ridiculous comment. Do you really not understand the costs the bar incurs?

OSTMusTisNT · 18/08/2025 08:19

Are the non-drinkers older ladies who refuse to drink anything after e.g 4pm to avoid needing the loo at night?

Probably need to look at a change of venue again though as they do expect meet up groups to spend something.

ohtowinthelottery · 18/08/2025 08:10

ITV news reporting this morning that 8 pubs a week closed permanently in the first half of this year!
Maybe tell your non drink buying group members that OP!

MaturingCheeseball · 18/08/2025 08:09

Dn worked in a popular picturesque seaside cafe. The management had to have a serious crackdown on the “just a pot of hot water please” crew who also had a tray with two cups and saucers on and were using their own teabags.

And as for the “a bit of lime doesn’t cost £4” poster - strewth. They should be tied in their pub chair for an hour and listen to the publican’s costs (including cleaning/refurbishing upholstery under lime poster’s bottom).

jeaux90 · 18/08/2025 08:04

I don’t understand why you wouldn’t say anything. That it’s not ok to use a business space and not spend anything. Ask if anyone has alternative suggestions. Use your voice OP.

itsachickeninnit · 18/08/2025 07:57

They are CFs. There’s nothing stopping them having a glass of squash or lime n soda if they don’t want to splash out.

dottiedodah · 18/08/2025 07:56

They sound horribly tight! I think I would say over what's App as you suggest.Hi Everyone. Really enjoying our meet ups.just to say though I think the pub will expect us to buy a few drinks. They are going out of business frequently and we don't want to lose our local venue.That isn't a criticism as such .just a statement of fact

LizzyEm · 18/08/2025 07:52

BrendaSmall · 18/08/2025 07:34

Like I said, I can only drink water, due to a medical condition.
So you’re saying I should be embarrassed about it??

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Also, this thread isn't about you.

LizzyEm · 18/08/2025 07:51

BrendaSmall · 18/08/2025 07:34

Like I said, I can only drink water, due to a medical condition.
So you’re saying I should be embarrassed about it??

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I think if you are taking up space in an establishment you should buy at least one water.

JustAnotherDayWorkingAtHome · 18/08/2025 07:42

BrendaSmall · 18/08/2025 07:34

Like I said, I can only drink water, due to a medical condition.
So you’re saying I should be embarrassed about it??

Show quote history

Buy bottled water in the pub then

JustAnotherDayWorkingAtHome · 18/08/2025 07:41

I’d say to them something along the lines of I don’t feel comfortable meeting in the pub without us all buying a drink. Its unreasonable to be taking up space for paying customers.

BrendaSmall · 18/08/2025 07:34

LizzyEm · 17/08/2025 20:51

If they are told to buy something or leave, then ask for tap water instead, ie not paying for a drink, that's a liberty, embarrassing and even bigger CF behaviour.

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Like I said, I can only drink water, due to a medical condition.
So you’re saying I should be embarrassed about it??

liveforsummer · 18/08/2025 07:33

I can see why you feel awkward and they are out of order but tbh if it’s a quiet week night then the pub probably aren’t bothered. 3 drinks are better than no drinks, it’s not taking up more expense than a few extra bits of loo roll having 6 rather than 3 so unless they are actively having to turn away customers as there are no free tables, I doubt the pub are bothered

liveforsummer · 18/08/2025 07:19

BondAway25 · 18/08/2025 02:20

😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫

the difference in price between soda £0 & soda with lime £4 so yes I was paying £4 extra for a squeeze if line, which to me is extortionate.

Show quote history

where I work we charge for soda. You still need to supply the gas and electricity, service and maintain the machine, pay for the gas and the person who delivers it …

JMSA · 18/08/2025 02:33

YANBU. Tight cows!

BondAway25 · 18/08/2025 02:22

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 17/08/2025 23:29

It’s very strange, but I’m wondering why you meet in a pub and not someone’s living room?

You wouldnt be wondering if you'd read the OPs posts where she's already answered that question.

DarklingIlisten · 18/08/2025 02:22

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ due to privacy concerns.

BondAway25 · 18/08/2025 02:20

IHaveAlwaysLivedintheCastle · 17/08/2025 19:39

So I paid an extortionate amount for a squeeze of lime!

You weren't just paying for the squeeze of lime.

Show quote history

😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫

the difference in price between soda £0 & soda with lime £4 so yes I was paying £4 extra for a squeeze if line, which to me is extortionate.

bumbaloo · 17/08/2025 23:49

CrumpledBlouse · 17/08/2025 13:14

Why is it sad? It’s always possible to go for a walk or a free museum or event, but it’s not ‘sad’ that someone running a food and drinks business requires you to buy some if you’re using their space. It’s not a bus shelter.

Show quote history

The poster didn’t say it was sad that the venue require you to buy a drink. They said it was sad how few places there are to gather where you don’t have to spend money.

there was no blame on the venue in the poster’s comment.
comprehension is important

puddlegoose · 17/08/2025 23:48

Are the group buying food as well? Or are these group members not spending any money at all in the venue?

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 17/08/2025 23:38

It’s very weird and tight of them not to buy anything at all! A soft drink or a coffee would be fine, as you say. I’d find it very embarrassing!

And on top of that to have the temerity to try ti shame you for ordering a drink! That’s what you’re supposed to do in a pub!

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 17/08/2025 23:29

It’s very strange, but I’m wondering why you meet in a pub and not someone’s living room?

MounjaroMounjaro · 17/08/2025 23:13

What about meeting at your local library?

Bobnobob · 17/08/2025 21:28

The pub will be ok with it if a few of you are ordering unless they are super busy and you are taking up a table that someone else could have.

It is odd behaviour but not your battle. You either offer an alternative (eg take turns hosting) or ignore it

Mrszigelda · 17/08/2025 21:14

You are absolutely right. It’s pretty bad to sit there and not buy a thing. Rude and thoughtless. Perhaps you could suggest that the owners of the pub restaurant go and sit in the ladies houses all night? I don’t see the difference if they’re not buying anything, after all, they are treating the pub restaurant as their own private, free space!