I went out tonight. OMG

[Parsnipsandginger]

First time in a pub with a band for around a year, at least.

I got knocked so many times and my drink spilt. I got my foot trodden on. I was squashed. Very crowded. Too busy. Trying to hold drink and handbag & dance at same time was near on impossible.

Never ever again. Trouble is, my friends love it

Anyone else relate?

Heehee! I'm 51 and went out with friends last night who are all older than me. We went to an amazing classical concert.

The friend sat next to me gave me a nudge and asked 'how did we get from pubbing and clubbing on a Saturday night and loving every moment to suddenly be our age and listening to a classical orchestra live and loving it?!'

How did we do all the squashing and shoving and think nothing of it back then?!

I used to love going out until the early hours. Now if I do go out for dinner I'm flagging by 9pm.

I could think of nothing worse than rushing to get ready and then going somewhere crowded. And writing off the next day with a hangover. I'd make the exception for live music but again not too late.

I think age and the pandemic knocked it all on the head for me.

You need this outfit - give yourself a bit more space!

Not really.

I was in the Coach & Horses in Mayfair on Friday night around 6pm and it was totally packed out (tiny pub). I was happy to see so many people out and having a good time.

We did move on to Shepherd's market in search of a less busy pub but clearly a lot of people were having a drink after work which is expected at that time. Three busy pubs later, we settled on a restaurant, which was quieter and less frenetic.

I'm 55, but I'm not ready to sit at home yet. I'd probably go out more if it wasn't so damn expensive and I could afford it!

Despite living in London for the last 36 years, I still get a tremendous kick out of being in central London. I love all the museums, art galleries, culture, shops, etc during the day, and all the bars and restaurants at night.

Bit hot, though 😅Are those Valentine's Day themed trousers? 😆

That is absolutely perfect.

This. I used to go out 7 days a week. But I went out and I hated every single second.

Not for men
No way.

Not for me!

Not not for men 😂

As contrast to the OP: I went on a work night out last week. The meal was meh and expensive but then we went on to a pub (the one the students are told to stay away from, incidentally) which played several decades of music and sold beer for £2 a pint and I had a lovely time. I think the secret is to go with a group who don't all want to dance so that you can leave your bag by the wall and your drink on the table. I'm 53 and I only left because of the bus schedule.

God I haven't been out out like that since my late 20s, im 40 now. Recently had an 80s party for dh.... the next day I realised its soooooo not worth it and that I'm way too old for this shit 😂

I still love it at 54. I tend to go to pretty civilised pubs and gigs. I wouldn't like having my feet constantly trodden on. I often just drink tonic. I'm just mega sociable.

Can't remember the last time out for a night, prefer meet pals for a coffee chat or go to a gig. Used to love my Saturday nights out but now could not be arsed. Am old ..

This is why I entered a silent convent.

@2bazookas That sounds appealing

Not the drinking now, but love a bit of live music in a pub. Prefer to sit, cos I am 70 this year.

I think you are all too young for this. Thirties?Forties? By all means watch TV in your pj's and have an early night but wait until you hit your 70s. New Year's eve I went dancing and loved every minute (the band even played some songs I knew. Wooly Bully anyone?). No-one bumped into me and I couldn't drink because I was driving but, really, I had a great time and hope to do it more often.

My gig going days are over! I went to loads in the 70s, loud rock bands, and am now slightly hard of hearing in one ear. My friend who went with me still goes to see a band called Magnum and needs hearing aids nearly all the time. Crowds and noise and alcohol - no thanks!

I suppose some of your experiences are annoying although I do still enjoy a night out. Love the drink, music, being silly maybe throw in a bit of singing and a curry at the end of the night, perfect! Just can’t do it as often these days. When I’m old (hopefully I get to be old) I’ll have plenty of time to sit around then. Plus we’re dead forever so life is to be lived is my approach.

I'm totally over night clubs at nearly 40, but DH is in a band so I'm stuck with live music pubs.

Wear something you don't mind getting dirty / wet, invest in a cross-body handbag for free hands, always wear flat shoes or boots, and if you drink have just enough to take the edge off

Having just moved to a new area, we're still struggling to find a decent pub that ISN'T full of groups of extra-loud, lairy blokes swearing their heads off in the worst possible way (eg: all the effs and cees at least twice in every sentence). It seems to be that a group of men can't get together in a pub around here without acting like offensive gobshites.

We used to go and watch a band every 3 to 4 weeks, I did love it, but as I got older and the menopause kicked in I found my hangovers lasted up to three days, I was still working them and just couldn't handle it no more, so I haven't been for long time, around 8 years. I do miss it sometimes.

I’ve never liked pubs with bands to be honest for these reasons though I have gone to a few of these gigs just to be sociable.

The last time I went to something like this it was my DB’s soon to be BIL in a trendy pub in Hackney, I was in my late 30s and it wasn’t actually that bad, quite enjoyable. I went with my friend though who’s very used to doing this and loads of friends were there which helped.

No pubs left near me which is such a shame as I miss my 3 local pubs. All closed down now and turned into take aways and a barbers shop. so sad, some good memories of those pubs 😢

Since I hit 40, I don’t enjoy going to pubs and clubs. Too busy and too noisy.

I used to love going out drinking and dancing.
My DH friends still love going out in their 40s & 50s and always try and get us out but can’t understand why we don’t want to.
I’m quite happy being ‘boring’!

I used to love going out, didn't mind any of this but sounds hideous to me now! I do still enjoy going out for food, cocktail bar or pub quiz or something but not out out.