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Original poster

Can someone explain 5am airport drinking?

409 replies

Prenoden · 04/09/2025 06:52

I'm not asking this as a kill joy or teetotaler, I enjoy a drink on holiday as much as anyone but how are people able to stomach pints at 5am?

Been on holiday recently and could barely eat before flight yet everyone else had pints/ g&t etc. It wasn't even mid morning it was 5am

OP posts:
JFDIYOLO · 04/09/2025 09:55

Self medicating fear of flying.
Bravado in front of their mates.
The novelty - because they can.
The holiday has started - and British abroad behaviour starts HERE.
They're in transit and their body thinks it's evening.
They're alcoholic.

Kerrylass · 04/09/2025 09:54

Because that drink at the airport is the hardest earned drink of the year and is my absolute bliss. When i take that 1st sip im on holidays and life is good 😎

Lanzarotelady · 04/09/2025 09:51

Notsurewheretostarthere · 04/09/2025 09:50

Me too. Eggs and pink champagne at the Fortnum champagne bar in terminal 5.

It started our well deserved mini break off perfectly.

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I want that now! Bugger my bacon butty and a glass of rose- I am telling Mr Lanzarote I want eggs and pink champers - now that is posh!

Lanzarotelady · 04/09/2025 09:50

Bjorkdidit · 04/09/2025 09:48

I'll have one with you @Lanzarotelady. I'm going to Playa Blanca for a solo break in a spa hotel in November and I cannot wait.

I am tempted to have one now haha - got 3 weeks worth of clothes to put away from our recent holiday haha
Might have a glass of wine and a bacon butty to put me in the mood!

Notsurewheretostarthere · 04/09/2025 09:50

LhudeSingCuccu · 04/09/2025 07:09

I guess these people have been up for hours. I’ll have a breakfast champagne or mimosa at Heathrow, it’s tradition!

Me too. Eggs and pink champagne at the Fortnum champagne bar in terminal 5.

It started our well deserved mini break off perfectly.

Kevinbaconsrealwife · 04/09/2025 09:49

countrygirl99 · 04/09/2025 06:59

Unlikely at Luton

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😊

Bjorkdidit · 04/09/2025 09:48

I'll have one with you @Lanzarotelady. I'm going to Playa Blanca for a solo break in a spa hotel in November and I cannot wait.

Isaweirdo · 04/09/2025 09:47

It’s a no from me but DH has to have a pint at the airport no matter the time. He’s not a heavy drinker but he claims that airport pint is tradition. His friends all send a picture of their pint to their GC if they’re at the airport even if it’s 5am.

Starlight1984 · 04/09/2025 09:47

Franpie · 04/09/2025 09:30

Absolutely not judging. More like marvelling at their ability to drink alcohol at that time. I had also been up 3 hours. What’s this 3 hour rule? Do people normally fancy a drink 3 hours after waking? I’ve been up 3 hours now, still couldn’t stomach a cocktail or large glass of red right now!

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🙄It's not a "3 hour rule". Most people don't have a drink 3 hours after they wake up. But then again for 99% of the year, we're in work / running errands / walking dogs / dropping kids off etc etc. Holidays are a break from the norm which is why it is exciting to have a drink or two at the airport - because you would never normally be doing it!

Unicorntearsofgin · 04/09/2025 09:47

If I was flying without kids I would definitely hit the bar. I am really scared of flying and it calms me down. With the kids I just have to pretend I get travel sick so they don’t get affected by my fear. It’s horrible. I wish I wasn’t scared!

Lanzarotelady · 04/09/2025 09:43

MrsDoylesTeaTray · 04/09/2025 09:40

Chavvy drinking culture usually paired with the obligatory facebook post.

I'll have another one just for you!

ilovepixie · 04/09/2025 09:43

I always have alcohol before flying on holiday, no matter the time. It signifies the start of my holiday! Don’t have any on the way home though.

Chompingatthebeat · 04/09/2025 09:43

Prenoden · 04/09/2025 06:52

I'm not asking this as a kill joy or teetotaler, I enjoy a drink on holiday as much as anyone but how are people able to stomach pints at 5am?

Been on holiday recently and could barely eat before flight yet everyone else had pints/ g&t etc. It wasn't even mid morning it was 5am

Not to early to hoik up your judgy pants

Starlight1984 · 04/09/2025 09:42

MrsDoylesTeaTray · 04/09/2025 09:40

Chavvy drinking culture usually paired with the obligatory facebook post.

Me and DH are both in highly respected jobs, earn very good salaries and neither of us have social media. But we love a drink at the airport before holiday.

Cheers 🍻

NeatKoala · 04/09/2025 09:42

MrsDoylesTeaTray · 04/09/2025 09:40

Chavvy drinking culture usually paired with the obligatory facebook post.

😂

nice try, but I've seen people drinking from the poshest circle you'll never get close too 😂 (I am not in that circle, knows them from work, they don't mix with chavs like me on holiday 😂)

Lanzarotelady · 04/09/2025 09:41

MrsDoylesTeaTray · 04/09/2025 09:40

Chavvy drinking culture usually paired with the obligatory facebook post.

ODFOD!

I bet you're fun at parties!

MrsDoylesTeaTray · 04/09/2025 09:40

Chavvy drinking culture usually paired with the obligatory facebook post.

VanessaSanessa · 04/09/2025 09:39

Also before people judge.

Some people might have had a shit year. If you saw me last year at the airport at 8am with a glass of champagne, you might judge. However, I was raising a glass to my DB who we lost tragically not so long ago, grateful I had my family around me and also grateful that I still get to experience travel and moments like this when my DB cannot.

Stop judging. Live and let live. No one knows what's going on in other people's lives.

fatphalange · 04/09/2025 09:36

an alcohol drink gives the tranquilliser a nice little kick. A relaxing pairing for any holiday

Starlight1984 · 04/09/2025 09:35

Bloody Mary is essentially a morning drink. It literally does not taste right drinking it after midday so when else are you meant to have them if not at breakfast?!

Themagicfarawaytreeismyfav · 04/09/2025 09:35

Its the same for me as people who are drinking Champagne or mimosas at 8am on Christmas day! I wouldn’t be able to stomach it before lunchtime but we are all different and enjoy different things.

saraclara · 04/09/2025 09:35

My stomach can't face it, but I enjoy my travel buddy's holiday ritual of having a pint at the airport, whatever time it is!

Now that someone's mentioned mimosas/bucks fizz though, I'm now realising that that could have been an option for me all this time!

Starlight1984 · 04/09/2025 09:34

VanessaSanessa · 04/09/2025 09:31

This thread is making me want a bloody Mary and I've never tried one!!

Oh my goodness you are missing out!!!

Lanzarotelady · 04/09/2025 09:34

VanessaSanessa · 04/09/2025 09:31

This thread is making me want a bloody Mary and I've never tried one!!

Me too - I don't even know what one is - off to google

Lanzarotelady · 04/09/2025 09:33

Franpie · 04/09/2025 09:30

Absolutely not judging. More like marvelling at their ability to drink alcohol at that time. I had also been up 3 hours. What’s this 3 hour rule? Do people normally fancy a drink 3 hours after waking? I’ve been up 3 hours now, still couldn’t stomach a cocktail or large glass of red right now!

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Would I do it on any other day of the year - no
Am I doing it today - no
Will I do it when I next get on a plane - abso bloody lutely

The rules are different when you're at the airport

I suppose if you have got up got ready got suitcases in car got to airport parked got through check in, security, had a row with your husband, it just feels like you have been up a lifetime and you need a drink?? Thats how I feel anyway

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