If they re open pubs with alcohol ban in April Will many go

[IsitSummeryet21]

Just seen it come on my news feed that there's talks of pubs re opening April with alcohol ban.
Can you really see many going?
I don't go to the pub often. Maybe 3 times a year max for a meal and don't drink anyway but obviously the vast majority of people probably have an alcoholic beverage.

Lots of pubs around here have your regulars that are in there noon till Night supping a few pints, my dsf is one that only goes for a few pints. Would never eat or buy a soft drink.

Would it be a good move?

I would go if they served proper meals. I wouldn't go to one that didn't.

I don’t go to pubs or bars just to drink only for a meal but I wouldn’t want to go out for a meal without a glass of wine. Will continue to eat and drink at home.

I'd go to our local pub for a meal without alcohol. We support them now by having a takeaway meal from them once a week, so would support them if they opened under these rules. However, they don't make much money on the food so not sure it'd be worth opening and staffing the premises in that basis.

I wouldn't bother going to a pub further afield under those rules, though would go to a restaurant for a meal. I guess if the pub was more food based I may consider it actually.

Absolutely ludicrous idea. As pp said people will smuggle booze in.

There are 4 'old man' pubs very near me. They don't do food and aren't set up for it. What happens to them?

I would be concerned that some pubs that dont normally sell food ( none of my local pubs do ) will start selling food cooked in the landlords kitchen by staff that have no proper training and are not aware of all allergy/ veggie / vegan restrictions just so they can open .
And I know at least two of them would sell booze under the counter to regulars without it going through the till .

As PP said , a lot of pubs are frequented by a older generation that go for a few pints a game of cards / dominos and a natter , not one of them folk would consider ordering a soft drink under normal circumstances so I am not sure they would now .

Yes. I’ll go. I’m looking forward to having a nice meal out and I’ll happily have it with a Diet Coke.

I ordinary times I'd say absolutely not, but if we can meet in the pub in groups including those outside our households, I think some people would use it as a social space, probably not the usual regular goers though.

Thinking of the people I've spent long sessions in the pub with, I think there would be a lot of hip flasks and vodka up sleeves So a fairly rubbish idea really.

It's just so they can justify ending support for the businesses really, isn't it?

@Toorapid

I ordinary times I'd say absolutely not, but if we can meet in the pub in groups including those outside our households, I think some people would use it as a social space, probably not the usual regular goers though.

Thinking of the people I've spent long sessions in the pub with, I think there would be a lot of hip flasks and vodka up sleeves So a fairly rubbish idea really.

Exactly, people will use it as a social space and simply bring their own booze.

I think I’d go as somewhere to meet people, if mixing was allowed. Cafes aren’t open in the evening.

It might help re-set the UK’s drinking problem. Nah, who am I kidding?

As pp said people will smuggle booze in.

Even if that is policed, what's to stop people getting tanked up before they go out? The end result would be the same.

I am DESPERATE to go back to my local pubs and restaurants. I refuse to go under these ridiculous terms though. What harm is a glass of wine with my meal going to do?

unless i can sit outside and unless they can open windows I am not going anywhere ....alcohol or not.

I own a small bar that's been closed most of the year. There's no way we could open and just serve soft drinks. We have no outside space and we're in the middle of a historic city so any permission for outdoor seating or standing is denied. It's just not worth opening for the few people who 'might' be passing and fancy a lime and soda.

@smoothchange

It's just so they can justify ending support for the businesses really, isn't it?

This is exactly what it is

My previous post notwithstanding , It might encourage pubs to start stocking a better selection of non/ low alcohol beer , wine and cider which would be a very good thing !

I had a few beers, virtually, with a friend while we both watch the same football match last night. For the first time really, I was desperate to get back in the pub (I only went about once a month, honest!) I'm still not sure I'd go if they reopened before the country seems ready though.

Maybe this is a hint that the hospitality industry needs to make a donation to the Tory Party.

its just rumours nothing from the government-lets not all jump the gun

Absolutely ridiculous idea. Why is there this notion that the minute someone has an alcoholic drink they’re going to go crazy?

Tbh going back to the single household, table service, substantial meal lark would be a better idea to allow pubs to open. Plus maybe drinking outside only. As we get into the spring people will start congregating in private gardens with booze so the pubs may as well make a living.

I’d go. I’d love to sit in a pub garden in sunny April with a nice pub meal and a pint of coke. I don’t need alcohol to enjoy that.

The more I think about this, the more it annoys me. I'm in my 50s and I'll be allowed to go out for a meal but not allowed to have a glass of wine with it? Or I can go and meet a friend in a pub but we can only have a coke, not a glass of wine?

If they were to introduce something so ridiculous I think I'd start to ignore a lot of the guidance, and I've followed everything I've been asked to do so far. I don't mind doing things for the greater good, but I won't be treated like a child.

Mind you, never in a million years do I think this will happen. But then again if you'd told me a year ago that on a Saturday I wouldn't be able to go the gym, to the hairdressers, to the shops, to a restaurant, to visit my family, I'd have laughed in your face. So I suppose anything is possible.

@Mousehole10

I’d go. I’d love to sit in a pub garden in sunny April with a nice pub meal and a pint of coke. I don’t need alcohol to enjoy that.

Sounds lovely but can the pub support itself and pay for overheads, plus a gardener and chef and bar staff and cleaning staff so people can enjoy a meal out? Most pubs rely on the evening and weekend alcohol trade to fund daytime openings

I'm not arsed about pubs opening. I want to be able to go to a house, with some mates and a pile of drinks. Last time pubs were briefly open, you were only allowed to go with a couple of people, which is bollocks if you have more than 2 friends.

Not only that, can we have babysitters if pubs are open?

I don't think anyone believes having one alcoholic drink makes people go crazy but it definitely makes people get closer.

I'm usually quite reserved, hate having my photo taken and definitely not a hugget. After 2 pints I'm volunteering for selfies and touching people's arms, three drinks it will be their knees, then hugs, when I start sitting on laps it's time to go home