Do you thin there is a market for alcohol-free pubs?

[Dancergirl]

Dh thinks it's a crap idea.

I was thinking of a proper pub with a good atmosphere but completely alcohol-free. People can go and hang out and see their friends and enjoy a mocktail or smoothie.

I can't see any advantage. Surely people can do this in pubs at the moment

Well, I'd go! Sounds great.

They can but it's different if people around you are getting pissed. And people look down on others who don't drink.

No

No, I really don’t think there is. A pub with a really good selection of soft drinks available as well as alcohol, yes, but no one wants to go out and only be able to buy multiple expensive soft beverages of an evening surely?

Yes, its called a costa.

Btw - not a bad idea at all!, could model on the abstinance bars (1920s?)

Aren’t they called coffee shops?

I was gonna say, cafe & cake shops!

I was thinking about more about the pub type atmosphere without the booze. I mean, we're all trying to get healthier, people are giving up smoking and thinking more carefully about what they eat. Why not cut out alcohol but still have a fun evening out?

We came across a Temperance pub up in the hills by Sedbergh about 15 years ago. It has a huge selection of very non-mainstream soft drinks, weird and wonderful juices, fizzy pop and teas and coffee. Also excellent, excellent food.

I do believe there are a few traditional Temperance pubs around.

Coffee shops are totally different though, they're a daytime thing. I'm thinking more for an evening out.

No - why would you go there over a coffee shop or restaurant? Or a friends house?

But realistically because pubs are closing down left, right and centre because they're difficult and expensive to run; and the mark up on alcohol plus the tendency to buy more drinks at an expedited rate when drunk is a big part of how they make any money. Without that; you'd get a few people popping in every now and again - and it'd be very unlikely to be economically viable.

No, I don't think there is. When I go to the pub sometimes I drink (alcohol obvs) and sometimes I don't, it's taking the choice away.

this is where we went

Theres a Temperance bar fairly near me i think ots quite popular but i have never been .

I don’t think there’s a need, although I’m in central London and I can walk into my local and order an array of mocktails, alcohol free beers etc. I’d be more likely to drink softs if there was a decent alcohol free white wine in existence, but that’s not the pub’s fault

Have had a few evenings where I’ve stuck to Nanny State and the only shade I get is having to bat off assumptions of pregnancy!

No

They tried this with temperance houses in the early 20th century. They don't seem to have taken off although admittedly times have changed and the idea could be due a revival.

I doubt they would make enough money. There is a huge mark up on alcoholic drinks, cocktails etc.

History of Temperance Inns - heavily supported by the Methodists and the original purveyors of Vimto!

No. You can get mocktails and other non alcoholic drinks in a normal pub. I can't see a situation where I and my friends/family would all want to go out for an evening of non alcoholic drinks and wouldn't have the choice of one drink if we fancied it.

There's in Liverpool called The Brink

Absolutely there is. In London there are already quite a few "dry" bars that only serve alcohol free mocktails etc.

Attitudes towards alcohol are changing massively.

I know plenty of people who would like a night out in a pub type environment, but with the more sedate atmosphere of a non-alcoholic setting. I must be an old duffer.

There's a temperance bar near me, it's right next to a Mormon church and I think that's where most of its custom comes from .