I loved a boozy lunch in the 80's, I used to feel all mellow after lunch as did the rest of the staff. It wasn't everyday though. By 1990 contracts had changed and being under the influence was made gross misconduct to loud dissent. Some people still had spirits in their filing cabinet for those times when you really need a snifter.
I did go to the pub a lot after work or you would pop in for a drink whilst out shopping, before the cinema, to meet up (before mobile phones)etc.
My adult DC rarely go to pubs, unless it is a gastro pub for a meal now and again with older relatives or a weatherspoons where food is cheap. Pubs are so expensive now. People also drink more at home. No need to get a "carry out" like Kev did last episode when shops are open 24/7 and a lot cheaper.
I think,like now in Corrie, people drank in the pub, ate in the cafe more than you would in RL so that the characters could interact. Brookside famously was the first soap not to have a pub as a hub. Eventually, they had a row of shops iirc.
I like how Betterbuys is a real supermarket and not a faked up set.