I'm a man (I often get slated for opening with this but I think it's relevant in this case).
When I first moved to my current town (to be with my, now, wife) I didn't really know anyone in the area. I ventured into the local pub (well, I ventured into three actually and took my pick).
The first time I went in, I got randomly chatting to a man about a dog (really) and I've been going there regularly ever since. I've built a good group of friends from all different walks of life and it's great to know that, if I feel like I need an hour away then there's people I can talk to.
I understand that this is different to your situation but I think it's relevant so please hear me out.
From speaking with female friends, what puts a lot of women off going to pubs alone is this expectation that they'll be full of drunk blokes, being crude and that you'll get 'hit on' a lot.
Walk into my local and see myself and the other regulars and we look like the nightmare described above: a bunch of beer-swilling bar flies who hate newcomers in 'our' pub, have never seen a woman before and are likely to shout and swear and be, well, blokey (in a bad sense). THIS is what (again, only in my experience and from talking to female friends) puts women off going to pubs alone. The truth is this:
- I'm a married IT professional with a stepdaughter, both to whom I am committed (but my work attire is exclusively hoodies and caps and I drink Stella so, at a glance, I look like a thug)
- That big, tattoo'd guy in the high-vis who's swearing like a trooper. He's the nicest guy you'll meet and, the second a lady walks in the pub, will turn the volume down and moderate his language (you could say patronising, I say respectful and old fashioned).
- The old boy at the end of the bar who looks like a permanent fixture, he's a volunteer coach at the local kids football team, never has more than three pints and is incredibly shy.
- If you come and sit near us and pull out a book, we'll keep the noise down and wouldn't think of talking to you if you want to be left alone (you'll probably get a pleasant 'hello' though).
- If you'd rather chat then, trust me, our range of conversation DOES extend beyond beer, football and 'birds' (SIC). In fact, our shabby-looking group, includes postmen, an architec, a couple of businessmen, a banker, trademen, a retired couple etc. So there's never a shortage of conversation.
- Oh, and when we look round when you walk through the door, this isn't meant to be intimidating, we just wonder if it's an old friend or a potential new one.
Sorry, I've rambled. I just think it's a real shame that so many women don't want to venture into pubs on their own, after all, it is a PUBLIC house and trust me, in my experience, everyone is welcome.