I'm happy pubs are dying out

Pubs are great hubs for people to meet, relax and socialize. Nowadays, there are plenty of non-alcoholic drinks available and the Wetherspoons pubs I know are full of groups of men and women, families out for a meal, people of all ages... It will be a sad day if all pubs close.

Christ, you sound like worst kind of bitter, gloating fun sponge.

Btw I’m sober and absolutely love pubs. Where else can you sit down, breathe, start a conversation afresh without distraction, maybe stay for hours? Not forgetting the interesting buildings, history, gardens etc many pubs offer

Look I’m not one to worry about men much but the men’s mental health crisis is real and we’re all suffering for it. Back in the day men would pop down to the pub, socialise, come home. So many men haven’t managed to replace or develope this contact in any other way. I was talking to a group the other day actually about how our male partners, brothers and dads are all suffering to varying degrees from lack of social life.

Think your town is the issue. Not the whole concept of pubs.

I’m in my local all the time, it’s a real community hub. Lots of families, decent wine and beers on tap, fancy food but also a cheap lunch menu, huge garden and terrace, lovely staff. I can’t imagine life without it

How miserable. I don't drink but I love my local pubs. Place to meet friends, pub quiz, band on a Saturday night, just booked a wreath making class at Christmas. You're going to the wrong pubs.

You're being very naive if you think if a pub goes out of business then everyone will stop drinking! Tesco sometimes have the offer of buy 6 bottles of wine get 25% off, if pubs close they can still get booze.
Honestly the pub has been part and parcel of Britain for centuries. I don't know where you live but it sounds grim werever it is, the pub in the next village to me is steeped in history, King Charles II stopped there after his defeat at the battle of Worcester, I love history like this and it's a beautiful pub, it's not just about booze it's so much more than that, you do know you can get Tea, Coffee and soft drinks in pubs?

I couldn't agree more.

OP perhaps they would still be social hubs if people could actually afford to drink in them. Society is so divided these days. I'm sick of it.

I see the effects of loneliness every day and I bet it costs the NHS a lot more than even alcohol does.
Most pubs rely on food sales these days. I don't drink alcohol at all but I love to go to our local pub to meet friends and have a catch up. I also like to play pool with DH when I get the chance.
DS often works from his local pub in a very isolated village, he would see no one on his home working days otherwise.
If you don't like pubs, don't go. You really won't be missed.

Sounds like your town is a shit hole.

My village has 3 independent pubs that are busy throughout the year with families, couples, groups of friends, darts and skittles teams, people playing cards and chess, walkers, cyclists people on their own who are passing through or just want to sit somewhere with a bit of life. All serve food and a range of alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks, much of what they serve is produced or manufactured locally (local ales for example). They employ chefs, waitresses, bar staff, glass collectors, cleaners.

What's wrong with any of that.

Where I live the local pubs absolutely are the hub of the community. We’ll continue to support them as much as we can.

Yabu

That was my next door neighbour. He was 87 when he died last year but still went to the pub regularly.

Our local pub has quiz nights, darts nights and other events. It also has accommodation and does a very popular Sunday lunch. It it the heart of the village really.

Alcohol and drugs related incidents take up 90% of the police’s daily work load
Anything that reduces either would be great

so what are the “Old boys” meant to do now ? You sound like an insufferable fun sponge

Goady bitchplopping twattery
sooo edgy op
🙄

I'm just back from a local social thing at the pub

I don't see anyone else apart from them a couple of times a month. I'm completely isolated. Most of the time I cope alright with it, but I'm having a really hard time at work at the moment.

Isolation is the main reason I'm on here. Being in the pub and actually having face-to-face contact and much needed hugs was incredibly valuable. The group was women and one man.

I'm interested to know why you're so angry at them that you want them to close down. I don't use bowling alleys, but I'm not wanting them to be closed down.

Or on the streets. Problem drinkers drink for the effect not for company and won't usually pay pub prices when they can get the really strong stuff from the local shop. I don't drink but I like to go to the pub now and again , have a meal and socialise. I've got no problems with anyone drinking sensibly and being a bit merry.

I couldn't be happy about businesses shutting down, owners and staff losing jobs, suppliers losing income, buildings often left vacant, etc.

No, can't take happiness from someone else's misfortune.

Alcoholics will always find a way to drink. Even if every pub shut down tomorrow. Alcoholism wouldn't be eradicated.

Sounds like you live somewhere with crap pubs.

I think it's sad - back in my youth the local pub near home or work was where you met blokes in a much better way than in nightclubs. You would see the same person repeatedly and get to know them gradually.

I met my late DH in the local pub near my workplace. There was about 30 of us from all walks of life who got to know each other there, it was bloody great!

God what a miserable lazy written almost deliberately goady thread ….

Glad to see the back of the crappy ones near me but more than happy to patronise the one about 20 mins from my home with good food, live bands, a family-friendly beer garden and a great atmosphere