To think my friend’s “warning” was fine?

[WomanStanleyWoman2]

A new Arabic restaurant has opened in our area. A friend of mine went and said she liked the food, but was disappointed there was no alcohol licence. She and I both enjoy wine with a meal, so it did put me off a bit TBH, although I might try it for lunch.

Anyway, someone had posted about this restaurant on our local Facebook page, with all the usual “please support a new local business” comments. My friend had replied on the post saying “Just to warn people, this place doesn’t have an alcohol licence or offer BYOB”.

Honestly, from some of the reactions you’d think she’d confessed to suffocating puppies. People telling her she was pathetic; why on earth should people have to be “warned” about the lack of alcohol; can’t people enjoy even one meal without alcohol; it sums up everything that’s wrong with this country (🙄) and so on. One person (who I assume is connected to the restaurant or its owners) even tried to suggest she was damaging the business!

AIBU to think there was nothing wrong with what she posted? Maybe the word “warn” made it sound a bit overdramatic, but realistically there are a fair few people who wouldn’t want to go to a dry restaurant. As for saying she was damaging the business, that’s just ridiculous in my eyes. It was entirely factual to say they don’t serve alcohol. It’s unlicensed, but they want to keep it a secret? If they’re that worried the lack of a licence will put people off, why not just apply for one?

If they think they can sustain a dry restaurant, they must believe they’ll still get customers who aren’t bothered by the lack of alcohol. So why is it a problem to point out that they don’t sell it?

Or will turn up, say no thanks at the lack of wine, and leave for somewhere else and a booked table empty. Very bad for business.

The idea that a restaurant will be more successful by hiding important details about itself is absurd.

I think the word "warn" is the issue here.

Well that would be a bit rich if they did, considering how many thickos on this thread can't understand that liking and needing alcohol are two very different things.

Have you not been inside many UK Arab restaurants?

Plenty adapt to the country they happen to open them in.

Given that it is Arabic I would have assumed it was dry. I am fine with dry restaurants, it makes a welcome change.

Do people really not look at a menu of a new restaurant before going out and trying it?

It doesn’t seem to have worked for drugs…

In my opinion the fact that the restaurant doesn’t serve alcohol would be a good thing and I’d be more likely to go there.

So you’re essentially saying previous customers shouldn’t mention this policy so that others will go and end up as a captive audience?

YABU

I actually can't believe you posted this. It's so disrespectful. I wouldn't go to an Arabic restaurant and expect there to be alcohol or be allowed to take alcohol. Honestly, I think these people who need to drink wine with their meals are pathetic.

Your friend's "warning", was unfair and disrespectful towards their beliefs.

I understand why it got their backs up. It is a post encouraging people to support a new local business and she responds with a comment that is going to be quite off putting for a lot of people.

Tbh, I wouldn't be surprised if I went to an Arabic restaurant and they didn't serve alcohol.

Because plenty of Arabic people and countries consume alcohol?

Yanbu. I would prefare to know in advance & I'm sure lots of people would.

Wow, you must really enjoy polishing your halo! You'd have enjoyed living in Puritan days.

If I went to a restaurant and couldn't have a glass of wine I would regret going. I don't eat out very often so when I do I want a nice main, a chocolate dessert, some wine and a good coffee afterwards. It doesn't mean I need alcohol to enjoy myself. It means I rarely get out to eat so I like to have wine with the meal when I do. I would have wanted to be informed before I went. Anybody who likes a dry restaurant would probably also like to know if was dry so they could go there.

Some people have agreed with me, some haven’t. That’s fine. I’m still not sure what you’re getting snarky about.

id turn round and go somewhere else, as would my friends. We only go out about once every 6 months so this would be a nope from us!

I live in the Middle East and many,many Arabic restaurants serve alcohol. Also,many of the locals like a glass or two with their food. So many assumptions on this thread from people who don't know what they're talking about.

if it was a jewish restaurant would you expect there to be alcohol there?
its common sense that in an arabic restaurant, there will not be alcohol there

Reading these responses I’m surprised by how many people assume that because it’s an Arabic restaurant it would automatically mean no alcohol would be served there. Many Arabic countries and people produce and consume alcohol and have done for centuries. It’s really quite ignorant to assume that ALL Arabic restaurants would be dry simply because some countries/ people/ religious groups abstain.

Did she also post that they don't serve pork?! I don't think she should have posted it. She posted a warning which implies it's a negative thing. Anyway, it's not the end of the world. Hopefully lots of people will still go there if the food's good.

It’s really not common sense. It’s actually very ignorant to assume that an Arabic restaurant would be dry.

Because the majority do? As clearly documented on this thread. If I’m having a rare date night or girls night I want a nice glass of Pinot with my chicken shawarma!

I think you are right😆

Since when were Jews teetotal?