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AIBU?

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I'm happy pubs are dying out

343 replies

Raymondsam · 28/09/2025 18:02

In my town at least.

Maybe decades ago the argument could be made that they're social hubs for people to unwind, meet and have a good time on a weekend.

Nowadays they're just hovels where mostly retired old boys go to binge drink in the daytime and cost the NHS billions in the various cancers strokes and host of other comorbidities that crop up.

The three biggest ones in my town are the typical chain owned leasehold places. Big companies that own hundreds of pubs all over the country. They treat the leaseholders like crap, if they start to turn a decent profit they up the rent.

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MyHeartyCoralSnail · 06/10/2025 22:19

Bambamhoohoo · 06/10/2025 21:11

Tosser is so under used as an insult nowadays

It’s a great British insult!!! Britain has some fabulous words

Bambamhoohoo · 06/10/2025 21:11

askmenow · 06/10/2025 21:01

Another tosser wanting to actively disassemble British society....Just like that millionaire Marxist Gary Neville!

Tosser is so under used as an insult nowadays

askmenow · 06/10/2025 21:01

Another tosser wanting to actively disassemble British society....Just like that millionaire Marxist Gary Neville!

Tryingtokeepgoing · 02/10/2025 13:43

Lots of lovely pubs around. It sounds like the OP lives in a rather grim area to me. Whether you frequent them or not, pubs are in important part of many communities. I don't have any use for churches, but I am pleased that they exist for those who need that sort of direction, affirmation or sense of belonging in life :)

XenoBitch · 01/10/2025 21:42

OonaStubbs · 30/09/2025 23:27

Why can't there be other places that are "community hubs" that aren't vendors of the demon drink?

I have spent hours in a Wetherspoons doing crafts with friends. Bottomless hot drinks for less than £2.

MyHeartyCoralSnail · 01/10/2025 08:25

OonaStubbs · 30/09/2025 23:27

Why can't there be other places that are "community hubs" that aren't vendors of the demon drink?

lol “demon drink” most adults enjoy a drink and even if not, pubs sell non- alcoholic drinks you know, unless you’re an alcoholic anyone can enjoy going into a pub. They are warm friendly places. Much better than these awful late night ice cream places that were springing up in Birmingham before I left.

unsurewhattodoaboutit · 01/10/2025 07:06

I had a lovely gastro pub meal with a friend a few weeks ago. I went to a friends 60th in another very old inner city pub in August. Yes he was ‘old’ but his mates ranged from 30s to 75. I mean talk about generalisations!

HighLadyofTheNightCourt · 01/10/2025 06:59

OonaStubbs · 30/09/2025 23:27

Why can't there be other places that are "community hubs" that aren't vendors of the demon drink?

Drinking alcohol isn’t compulsory you know …

But also enjoying an alcoholic drink isn’t a bad thing.

Boomer55 · 01/10/2025 06:57

This old girl goes with her old boy to the pub sometimes…😱. We have a glass or two of wine and a meal - really decadent. 🙄

Or we meet friends and family for a meal and a couple of drinks.🥂

If we wanted to get drunk, we’d stay indoors and neck it back. Much cheaper.

Whstca little bundle of joy you sound to be. 🤷‍♀️

RampantIvy · 01/10/2025 06:16

OonaStubbs · 30/09/2025 23:27

Why can't there be other places that are "community hubs" that aren't vendors of the demon drink?

Cafes?
Pubs also sell non alcoholic drinks you know. Have you never been in a pub?

At the pub my book group meets in I can even buy peppermint tea!

Algen · 30/09/2025 23:32

OonaStubbs · 30/09/2025 23:27

Why can't there be other places that are "community hubs" that aren't vendors of the demon drink?

You do know it’s possible to go to the pub and not buy alcohol?

OonaStubbs · 30/09/2025 23:27

Why can't there be other places that are "community hubs" that aren't vendors of the demon drink?

MrsSkylerWhite · 30/09/2025 22:11

61 now. Worked in a pub at 18. Old fella came in every night. Suddenly he didn’t. We called the police. He was out cold in his sitting room, taken to hospital and lived 6 more years.
They’re an important part of the community.

Realjournal123 · 30/09/2025 22:05

Actually that’s not true. I know many and most believe they are populated by alcoholics. Esp if they live near to one. They frown upon people who feel the need to drink alcohol esp during the day.

sugarandcyanide · 30/09/2025 19:24

Our local is lovely. Really friendly, never any trouble. There's a big range in ages and everyone knows each other, the pub brings them together.

They have mental health meet ups for lonely people and the landlady opens up specially for a few of the older regulars to go in and have breakfast. She also cooks sometimes for them and sends them home with free food.

I hope ours doesn't close but hopefully it'll be safe, I think nice regulars are what you need to make a pub successful.

FaceBothered · 30/09/2025 18:59

Realjournal123 · 30/09/2025 18:54

Way has it got to do with you if men want to gather at a pub? Are you Muslim? We all have a choice in life and if they want to go there, that’s THEIR business and NOT yours.

I can't think of a single Muslim who has a problem with pub-goers going to pubs 😳

Squirrelandnuts · 30/09/2025 18:56

Comedycook · 28/09/2025 18:09

Yabu and I say that as someone who dislikes pubs and doesn't drink.

It creates jobs and opportunities for socialising. And it's not like an equivalent is replacing them.

Same here, I don't drink, but pubs are important to communities.

There is socialising, for many they go to unwind, chat with others,. Both of these things are important for good mental health.

Not everyone has close family, and the pub may be their only contact with other people. Loneliness causes depression and a host of other illnesses. Even, just walking to the pub is exercise.

Many pubs offer food, and not just Sunday roasts. For some older people (mainly men), this maybe the only place they eat in company in addition to local cafés.

What about the jobs? Many young people start there first jobs there. Let alone, people in their 40s upwards who may find the hours conducive. What about the chefs? What about all the brewery and driving jobs? Let alone the farmers who produce the hops.

Yes, pubs can be loud, cliquey and attract unsociable types.

But, they are a place to go, not everyone goes to church, the mosque or synagogue.

They are important, and they have toilets.

Realjournal123 · 30/09/2025 18:54

Way has it got to do with you if men want to gather at a pub? Are you Muslim? We all have a choice in life and if they want to go there, that’s THEIR business and NOT yours.

Ginandslimlinetonics · 30/09/2025 18:19

Also - out local lay minister goes into out pubs in the vilage - he supports people, for whom the pub is a lifeline that way - it’s brilliant.!

Ginandslimlinetonics · 30/09/2025 18:17

They are not . There is live music in our local this eve- I rang to try and reserve seats as ten of us are going - I was told that there are only 3 seats free in thr whole pub - the rest of the pub is booked up for meals before the music starts. Was told to just try and find somewhere to stand !

RampantIvy · 30/09/2025 18:11

There seems to be a spate of threads like this on MN recently. The "I hate all weddings" thread was deleted, but there have been others. Why do people do this?

Why start a thread wishing that a chain of shops closes, all shopping malls are banned, all pubs close, all weddings are banned, then disappear?

XenoBitch · 30/09/2025 17:23

Verv · 30/09/2025 16:22

It takes a special kind of c*nt to want to remove the ability to socialise from "retired old boys" knowing that loneliness and isolation is a killer for older people.

Yep, I know a group of those "boys" who meet up. All widowed/divorced/never married. Some live in HMOs with people a third of their age. The pubs are a lifeline for them.

TeeBee · 30/09/2025 17:17

Raymondsam · 28/09/2025 18:02

In my town at least.

Maybe decades ago the argument could be made that they're social hubs for people to unwind, meet and have a good time on a weekend.

Nowadays they're just hovels where mostly retired old boys go to binge drink in the daytime and cost the NHS billions in the various cancers strokes and host of other comorbidities that crop up.

The three biggest ones in my town are the typical chain owned leasehold places. Big companies that own hundreds of pubs all over the country. They treat the leaseholders like crap, if they start to turn a decent profit they up the rent.

Maybe where you live. In my village, they really are a social hub. We have three and they all get involved in community activities, have live music, do charity work, have excellent food and provide beautiful places to sit and enjoy social time. They'd be a massive loss if they closed; luckily they won't because they are heavily used.

MyHeartyCoralSnail · 30/09/2025 17:13

I mean if we’re going down the they cost the NHS, let’s shut all in Indians with their ghee overuse, Chinese restaurants with their MSG, fast food outlets, all those bloody dessert places open late into the night, that amount of fat and sugar is awful.

Verv · 30/09/2025 16:22

It takes a special kind of c*nt to want to remove the ability to socialise from "retired old boys" knowing that loneliness and isolation is a killer for older people.

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