Drinkers in Spoons

[TheDaringOliveNewt]

I'm away and at spoons having breakfast.

Every single table apart from mine has pints going, at 8.30.

Aibu thinking it's weird?

Our local spoons doesn't serve alcohol until 9. I used to do 4 am to 9.30 am stacking shelves for a supermarket. Often went to Spoons with a colleague or two for a full English and drink of choice.

TBH it's only social convention that says you shouldn't drink alcohol in the morning. And not everywhere either. I used to live in Eastern Europe and a standard breakfast on the way to work would be a slice of bread, butter, ham or cheese and a small glass of brandy. Happy days.

Well there are various reasons, as PPs have mentioned.

But ultimately, people have autonomy. IF an alcoholic wants to quit drinking, there is help available.

I can guarantee that every one of us on this planet has at some point done something that someone else would deem reckless/careless/selfish etc... People have a choice.

It is human nature to judge. But it's also possible to pause, keep an open mind and give people respect for their autonomy - regardless of what you 'see' or label them as... We are all human and everyone has a story to tell.

maybe they’re zero alcohol???!

Nothing is wrong with a greasy spoon if you want a nice cheap breakfast. I don’t think most of them serve pints though do they? The OP was about people drinking in the morning. Thats snobbery.

Agree about avoiding lining the pockets of Tim Martin though.

It varies by location, even in the same city.

DD was a Sheff Hallam Uni. 'Spoons nearby was mostly families, a lot of them parents with students.

City centre version was far more patronised by older men drinking alone.

It makes me laugh how MN will sneer at people who have a beer with breakfast, but the same posters are quite happy to knock back Prosecco at the same time with their "bottomless brunch".

Why are you so bothred/curious about others lifestyle choices though? It doesn't directly affect you if some people choose to drink at 9am

People who work nights often have a pint in Spoons with their night-working mates before going home.

Tne Spoons near me is clean, recently refurbished, has a great friendly community atmosphere, the toilets are spotless and I’d rather spend £1-99 on a good pint that £7. And the price difference for wines and spirits is even more marked.

I don’t really rate the food, and don’t eat there, but it is cheaper than McDonald's, for example and the fish and chips is v good.

Ha ha- we go to a small town on the South French coast every year and often get breakfast at a workers cafe in a covered food market - there are always a number of people having what we call "breakfast wine" a 125ml glass of white wine to set up their day. I am sure people here think it is charming and sophisticated - necuase French.

Generally morning pub drinkers are people coming off night shifts. So 8am is their is their Friday night.. I walk past a pub on my way to the office that opens 6am - 9am, it is near a market, major hospital and rail teminus - you see a mix of market traders, HCPs and rail engineers having a post shift drink.

Drinking in the morning is bad whether it is prosecco or beer. Obviously.

Why?

As an Irish person who visits UK fairly regularly I think Premier Inns and Wetherspoons are amazing, fairly reliable and great value. We’ve visited for funerals on a few occasions (sign of my age,) and found them great for family meals / lunches etc at a time when you just want to be together in a big group, sometimes in suburban locations, relax, and not be fussed over! Wetherspoons ( ones I’ve been to) cater well for vegan and vegetarian and the prices are amazing for what you get. That’s my outsiders opinion!

The Spanish are very partial to Cava at breakfast.

Damn those alkie Spaniards and their boozy ways!

I wouldn’t be surprised if many cultures drink alcohol early in the day quite normally.

What's the difference between drinking at 8am or 8pm? Your body doesn't react differently because it's am!

I only discovered Spoons recently. I've been going to a smart little market town every week over lunchtime. I've tried every fancy cafe and coffee shop and not found one I really like. Almost all have been under heated so you don't feel warm enough to take your coat off. They serve sandwiches with crisps which is a crime imo. Often the posh bread "artisan sourdough" is rock hard and the coffee is lukewarm. Staff who are at best indifferent.
I tried Spoons one day and what a contrast. Warm, comfortable seats, every member of staff smiling and helpful (I was with a friend on crutches). The food is perfectly average pub food, dead cheap and endless mugs of tea. I didn't notice whether other people were drinking beer but it definitely felt more like a cafe than a pub, except warmer!

Tbh I think going to Spoons for breakfast is weird, unless you’re very young. 🤷‍♀️

'Generally morning pub drinkers are people coming off night shifts. So 8am is their is their Friday night..'

This repeated story about night shift workers is just not true. I worked shifts years ago for a massive organisation and believe me after a night shift everyone wanted to get home to bed. There was no pints at 8am, well maybe for those with drink problems but for the most part no. 8am was not party time.

Why? It's cheap, good value and filling.

I like our spoons tbh. The food is pretty good and it's cheap.

Also tbh i don't care if the owner is a Brexiteer. I'm a Remainer but it's not like he's out killing puppies. Perfectly valid political viewpoint that ended up being the majority anyway in our democracy.

Not everyone goes for a pint after their day shift so not everyone is going to after a night shift

Bottomless brunch is usually nearer lunchtime
8am drinkers are likely self medicating against withdrawal

No skin in this game, I dont drink but the endless justification for alcohol is ridiculous

I love breakfast in my local spoons. I have an allergy which they know well, the staff are lovely and the food is great. My son and I have a Pepsi Max (not alcoholic!) and just enjoy being there. A few people have an alcoholic drink with theirs but there’s never been any problem with anyone there, and we go a lot!

It's a weekend though. On a weekday the majority probably wouldn't be drinking before 11am?

But yeah, it's the last chance saloon of hostelries for retired/unemployed alcoholics. They're just holding onto their drinking still being social as they can afford to attend the pub, but if they're still alive in a few years it'll be cans on the park bench.

But that's kind of half the point of Spoons. You do see people who you think if they weren't in here they'd probably not see or speak to anyone all day. It's kind of a good thing though somewhat depressing. It is a large proportion of their clientele. The types priced out of regular pubs many years ago. It's a bit like a community centre for older men.

Having said that I always find I feel totally comfortable entering and drinking in Spoons alone. Maybe not on a Friday night. But it feels normal to be a solo female in there which is a good thing. I used to do home visits with no car so always wanted somewhere to do my admin in between calls. Even if you're in the minority you feel reassured. You know what to expect.

Anyway how was the breakfast? I don't think I've had one before but it looks alright?

I don't drink either, so I'm not trying to justify anything either way.

But why is 11am okay but 8am isn't?

I had an ex who was an alcoholic.
He has died since of liver disease.
Anyway, he would only drink in the pub. Never at home or anywhere else. Needless to say he spent a lot of time in the pub at any hour of night and day.