Why sit at the bar in a pub with plenty of seats?

[Hammy02]

Winds me up. I was in our local pub yesterday, loads of free seats but couldn't get to the bar as people were sat all along it. Got a dirty look from someone as I had to shout my order over their head! AIBU?

Makes sense if you are on your own. Doesn't make sense if you are with a crowd of friends though. They are BU to be annoyed about you ordering over them though - that is part of the deal if you sit at the bar!
I hope it didn't spoil your night.

The closer you sit to the bar in a pub the more open you are to conversation with strangers (including the staff). It is part of the complex etiqutte of British pub-going!

I think people see the bar area as more social than sitting down at a table, when you're in a pub pub (iyswim ).

"Propping up the bar" and all that.

Closer to the barman/woman to keep the beer flowing.

And you could always say "excuse me, I need to order, can I just squeeze past" instead of shouting over their heads. I'm sure they'd budge up.

I know it's petty. It was just the funny look I got that wound me up.

they were probably wondering why you didn't just ask them to budge up for you.

Pesky barflies!

Some people sit at the bar so that they can entertain the bar staff with their witty insights. Hours of witty insights.

You've met my husband then?

LOL - Tisallafaff - you are so right

I worked in bars many years ago (during hols and filling in to earn money) and so many men loved to sit and regale staff with their wit

Salmotrutta-you are spot on. I worked in a bar when I was a student and regularly had the pleasure of men's hilarious jokes and interesting stories.
There was no escape either.

It was worse when you were the only person behind the bar..............

My dad's one of those people who props up the bar and chats with his mates, the barman and/or anyone else who wanders up to get a drink. He's very charming and does have a great selection of well-practised funny stories. He's a real character.

It also allows him to pretend that he's simply being sociable whereas, in fact, what he's actually doing is feeding his alcoholism in plain sight.

Salmotrutta has got it in one!

.

Propping up the bar is a noble pursuit

Hecate, I keep seeing you pop up and say things which always make me smile/laugh - had a nose and what happened at Cleethorpes???!

sorry for thread hijack.

I like to sit at the bar.

I'll pm you so's not to nick thread.

bella. This does not surprise me. you old lush.

really the bars fault imo, when i worked in pubs i would only have a certain amount of seats in order to avoid this and if it was a busy night we'd move the seats altogether. Its also difficult for staff to see if anyone needs served if you have to stand 2 deep at the bar!

BUT on a quiet night i didn't mind the guys (and some women) propping up the bar!

One bar I worked in had the old (and I mean old) regulars who appeared every night on the dot. If someone else was sitting on their bar-stool the resulting tutting and dirty looks were marvellous to behold.