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?

It would depend on the band TBH. Biggest problem nowadays is the aches and pains after ill-advised moshing 🤣

Yep, when I left my ex husband at the age of 48, friends from stables (turned out we only had horses and riding in common) insisted I went out with them weekly as I needed to be out and about “lots now”. It was double vodkas and Coke (for them) in each noisy town centre pub (no conversation possible) and there were many. I tried to drink wine, but there was only red or white and both were essentially vinegar! After two, I just wanted water. When I asked for that, the barmaid (who looked like she might eat her own young) looked disgusted and didn’t know if that was possible 😲 I tried to learn to like it on three occasions. Then I stopped. I just wanted to be relaxing at home by 10/10.30 after a quiet (grown-up) night. I only pushed past one because the ex and I were still sharing a house and I was trying to be out as much as possible.

Agree that the overcrowded, noisy gig thing is not for me now but I do love a good night in the pub with friends. I’m a 43 yo classical musician in a small city and have a great social network. We go out after rehearsals once a week or so for a quiet drink but after a big gig there can be 50 of us in the pub until 2am and then possibly back to someone’s house. I just wish pub prices weren’t so high now.
Also love going out for meals when I can afford it. To the PP who said she’s only been to a Toby Carvery - there’s a whole world of food, drink and fun out there!

I'm late 50's and I'm out most weekends in packed pubs with live music. I need to let my hair down to relieve stress. I have no intention of stopping anytime soon.

So glad to hear this! I'm 48 and been stuck at home with small kids for 15 years. Now I'm ready for a second wind! So excited to be able to go out and have fun again!!

Another one here who prefers to go out in an afternoon, it’s quieter, you always get a seat, you can drink and eat as much as you want in a far more civilised environment and then still be home and in bed before 9pm

Depends on the pub. Locally, it's a flat roofed estate pub where I would buy my telly back if it was nicked. No overcrowding in there. In town, there are "fun pubs" I give a huge swerve to, which are just as you've described. But there are "naice" pubs which are nothing like it.

45 years old here, sounds like something I would intentionally avoid if I’m honest. I used to love going to Chicago Rock and listening to the tribute acts (years ago) but now, even if I’m out for a meal, I’m home probably by 10pm and chilling in my pj’s by 11pm with a cuppa. I honestly can’t be doing with being pushed and shoved, drinks spilt and people getting touchy if you look at them the wrong way because they’ve had too much to drink. I’d rather have a cuppa 🤣

I went out a few months ago and a lot of 20something men hit on me. I thought they were taking the piss but they seemed sincere. They were also incredibly polite. One asked if I was single, I showed him my rings and said I was married with two children and he apologised and went away.

It's either very flattering lighting or I remind them of their mums.

Relate!

I think it’s partly because if you don’t go out for a while, like me, your tolerance goes down without you noticing it. Drunk people are really annoying.

I tend to try and either go for posher or earlier events with seats. Or full on clubbing and dance before the floor fills up.

No I expect they were definitely hitting on you. I was single late 30s. My god the amount of men hitting on me! I was pretty when younger but very shy (never thought I was pretty) - but was quite world weary in my 30s, so it can’t have been my stunning looks! I think men sense confidence and women who are just having fun who don’t care anymore, and are attracted to it!

It’s the price that blows my mind.
We went for a meal last week for DHs birthday and got there early so popped to the pub for a drink.
A pint of Guinness and a large Coke - £9.20??
I am in the South East to be fair, but not London.
I used to go out on a fiver in the 90s!

Honestly I've felt the same way since the first time I walked into a club aged 18 🤣

Agree! I’m 24 and not had a drink for almost 5 years. I drank a lot whilst underage and newly 18/19 got it out of my system.

I’m 29 next month and I absolutely love pubs, go at least once a week but I can’t hack live music anymore. Anything where I have to stand up is a no due to chronic pain. A sit down thing is nice though, some pubs near me (city centre) do sit down open mic things which I enjoy.

Nah - forget that.

Nowadays I like to have a seat at a table - preferably in a corner. Mebbe even get the dominoes out . . .

That sounds awful. I hated it when I was younger (38) but went out because that's what I felt you had to do.

If I'd had netflix back then I don't think I'd have ever gone out. Prefer company of my DP and cat these days.

Even better when he's in work and I have the blanket and remote to myself ;)

I would honestly rather go for a swim or have friends round!

Snap

I went to a club night for a pals birthday it started at 11 I shit you not I'm usually asleep til then
Managed to cling on til 2 although it was open til 4.

I don't dislike dancing etc but can't pull an all nighters these days I'd rather be in bed with a horlix at that time

Are you in a small village, OP? Or was this a pub in a touristy city centre? If a band isn't well known I've only ever found it that busy and crowded in small village pubs where, like, the whole village attends because there isn't that much choice of other venue. OR, in a city centre like mine in the tourist bit which gets full and squashed on a Saturday night anyway, band or no band.

I'm in 2 minds. I used to love going out when I was younger. Drinking, going to gigs, quite enjoyed the mosh pit style of atmosphere as long as I wasn't sober or carrying a handbag. My mind would quite like it now but I don't think my bladder would last long and the thought of fighting a crowd to go the loo is annoying. Neither do I have the energy for standing all night.

We did go to see Muse in the Etihad before Covid and had seats upstairs. That was handy because most people stood up and danced but had a seat there if they got too tired and need a sit down. But I did look at the mosh pit with envy as it looked like all the energy and fun was down there. 😁

I'm not sure I'd want to bother with the discomfort you describe for the sake of some local band in a local pub these days at my age TBH. Worth it for someone big I'd be desperate to see. But a bog standard night out with local live music. Nah, not for me these days. I need a seat. I'm 50 by the way.

you know what's quite nice now i'm a bit older? Meals out where there is a "turn". You know like a cabaret style venue. Or special event in a function room. Where they've got a singer on doing covers. And everyone has a seat. And they come round and serve you.

We went to a nice all inclusive in Tenerife just beofre COVID. They put on entertainment after dinner which was quite nice to watch. Waiters bringing you drinks. But by 11pm each night we were back in our room and in bed. No doubt some people would think that was boring but I have never felt so rested as on that holiday!

@WrendaleCountryDogs

lol good one!

NOONE has only ever been to TC pubs and that’s it! Like no one!

🤣

100% this!