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

Of course it’s rude.
What would happen if every single one of you sat there without buying anything?
Surely then a member of staff would approach you and ask what you wanted to drink, if you all said we don’t want to buy anything, then they would tell you to leave.
Out of interest, do you walk through the bar and go and sit outside? Or do you all sit inside?
Just wondering how they get away with it.

…and then they’ll all say how sad it is when the pub closes down. I know people who moan and complain because our local high street is full of charity shops and empty premises. We had a lovely, smart, three floor Debenhams that is now boarded up. Next and Holland and Barrett have also gone. But the people who moan do all their shopping online. They used to like to wander round those places, but they never bought anything. What did they expect? If you think a cafe or shop is really beautiful and you like having it in your neighbourhood, you’ve got to support it.

Do you mean you're walking in, taking up a table and using the pub's heating and toilets but not paying a penny for the convenience?
Really?

Perhaps you'd be better off suggesting you take turns hosting instead if they don't want to pay pub prices for a drink.

I do understand people may not have budgeted for these things, especially when you feel obligated to then buy others drinks when you've been bought a drink. And even a soda at pubs costs a few pounds which is frankly ridiculous.

Are they upset about the new venue and refusing drinks to make a point?

Is it advertised group? If so you could change the description to include the exception that everyone attending purchases a drink. I go to group which has that included as part of the sign up. Might not fix the immediate problem but at least new members won’t think it’s ok and follow suit.

Are you meeting at a busy time for the pub? If so I think you probably need to address it as the pub might notice and just ‘not have room’ for your booking in future without saying why. If not they probably don’t mind as three drinks bought is better than an empty table.

You can't paint some people red. What an embarrassment!

I've worked in hospitality and I'm fairly certain the staff have noticed, they just haven't said anything yet. Your friends should definitely buy a soft drink each, it's only 3-4 quid.

Do you think they are waiting for you to offer to buy a round? I would feel so awkward drinking if others were sat there not drinking. In fact I would prob ask if they weren't planning on staying long as i noticed they hadn't bought anything.

Not everyone has a good sized home for themselves when they can host people easily without inconveniencing their family/house mates. They are from different locations, if some of them is using public transport it could easily be that the local town is the only place where they can all get reasonably.

It's not about "beneath them", it is about being able to live in a society without the necessity to pay extra for basic existence.
Once again, it doesn't work with this pub. I'm just pointing out that it is sad, that the other options are so limited. God forbid someone would need to use a toilet outside of they home - pay for a pint or "pay" at least by your embarrassment.

Correct me if I'm wrong (genuinely) but your posts read as though you are the decision maker.
Did the others get consulted about the new venue? Is the group itself free or is there a charge?
Maybe they just can't afford a drink too?
If they weren't consulted on the decision to use the pub, it does seem a little unfair to expect them to pay for drinks too, although of course not the fault of the pub.
Maybe ask them if the venue is working for them?

What free alternatives have there ever been? A free place to have a meeting with access to water and toilet?
Church halls and village halls and community centres you have always had to book and hire by the evening or by the hour.

If it is a large group, the rent-per-person would likely be less than buying drinks in a pub, but for a small group the opposite is true - the pub is cheaper.

Yeah this is so cheeky! I don’t drink very often and try to stick to water most of the time but if I’m going out and want to drink water I’ll buy a bottle from the pub (even though I prefer tap!) because it’s so rude to go in without buying anything!

I'd be so embarrassed, definitely raise it that at least 1 drink is bought or find a different venue.

Are these ladies retired and living off pensions?

That’s only because they don’t want to have to buy one back

I'd say it's reasonable-ish for a couple of people to only drink tap water if the others are buying booze or soft drinks.

Though personally I'd probably order at least one thing. Even if it's just a soda water.

As long as the bar hasn't expressed displeasure about it, they can clearly see they would rather keep your custom than refuse people to just sit there among others who are drinking.

This is the kind of thread where I'd say 50% of readers will be thinking - 'but Op, why didn't you just say something?'

'come on you lot, we'll be taking the piss if we have a nice sit down and a chat but don't buy anything!'

So many women, and British women in particular, are brought up to be more frightened of 'awkwardness' than of the thing itself. The word 'ladies' gives a hint of that I think - it's a very gendered term in its politeness 😂

I'm definitely not great at conflict myself, but I think in this case my sense of awkwardness with the pub owners would have been stronger than with the group lol.

What time do you meet, how often and is it a cheap pub? I know some women who don’t like to drink caffeine or soft drinks after a certain time as it irritates their bladders overnight. I also know lots of people who couldn’t easily afford to buy a £4+ drink weekly which even soft drinks would be in some pubs. I know you say that they say no even if someone else offers but if you’re meeting regularly they’ll know if you buy them a drink this week it’ll be their turn to buy for both of you next week. I do agree that it is not really okay to meet in a pub and for half of the group not to buy a single drink, but depending on the nature of the group it could also be unreasonable to meet in a place which dictates the members all spend money on a drink they may not even really want.

And they sound like complete tight arses as well.

That is really cheeky. How has it not occurred to them that the pub has utility overheads. They’re sat at their furniture using their lighting and possibly using their toilet as a bare minimum!

They could at least buy an orange juice or Perrier to sip!

How embarassing OP. Some people can turn off their concience when it comes to money. Been there with tight people, refusing to leave a tip for meals in restaurants, quibbling over bills ('I didn't have a drink' but eating the most expensive thing on the menu) Needless to say, not doing that anymore.🙄

Well imagine if you all decided not to buy a drink! The staff probably aren't approaching considering some of you are paying customers. If you all didn't buy a drink you'd be told to purchase or leave. So effectively the ones buying drinks are subsidising the others, as it's only your business that allows the group to stay.

I would also ask if everyone is happy with the pub as you've noticed not everyone has a drink - and ask for other suggestions. Hiring a room would cost more than a lime and soda though! Very uncomfortable situation.

I know of someone who ran a bar and used to talk about the 'half a pint of lemonade brigade' who did at least buy that, but then sat there nursing the one drink all evening and not buy anything else. A business cannot make a profit from these people.
You need to call these folk out on this, whatever their reasons for not buying. And if they don't want to buy, then you're going to have to look at using a venue elsewhere, which will probably have to be paid for. Would they rather contribute to that?