London Pub Etiquette

London Pubs are a cornucopia of historical fact, dramatic fiction and a raft of different and varied choices of beverages – some mildly intoxicating others designed to blow your head off. There are few more quintessentially London experiences than supping a pint of ale in an historic old ‘pub’ where even the walls could recount many stories. London is awash with such places – the George (London Bridge), the Flask (Hampstead heath) or the Dog & Fox (Wimbledon) – and they all have fascinating facts embedded deep within their DNA. Many pre-date Shakespeare and Samuel Pepys and some like the Blind Beggar (Bethnal Green) and the Lamb (Leadenhall Market) can boast relatively contemporary legends. However, to the tourist in town for the first time these places can appear a little daunting from the outside so we have decided to put together a small ‘etiquette guide’ to help the unwary traveller get the most out of his or her visit.

Most London pubs take their charm from the old buildings in which the have originated. There are never two identical twins but often share similar characteristics – low beams, stone floors, log fireplaces and shelves simply strewn with all form of interesting bric-a-brac. Remember that London has both pubs and bars and they are very different. Pubs should provide relaxing, comfortable environments in the same way that American coffee houses do. Londoners will happily go to a pub during the day (without fear of judgment) to work, read, have a meeting or simply enjoy a beer.

On Entering

On entering the pub you should have a rough idea of what you want to drink e.g. beer, wine, cocktail etc. Walking briskly up to the bar you should catch the bar persons eye and make your choice. It is perfectly correct to enquire as to the types of beverages available and most places will now let you taste if you want to before deciding. Queuing is not formalised in pubs and ‘standing in line’ is not encouraged. Look for a gap in the crowd and make directly toward the bar and place either elbow onto it to stake your claim. You might have to gingerly squeeze past one of the locals to put in your order but be assured that a polite ‘excuse me’ will absolve you of all sin. However make sure that you have a complete list of your party’s requirements before sending the barman/maid into action, as they hate nothing more that a ‘faffing’ customer.

Legal Stuff

You should also remember that the legal age for drinking alcohol is 18 and most pubs are family friendly with a ‘family area’ out back or in the garden if they have one. Age ID-ing is a little more stringent than it used to be but it is still pretty lackadaisical. In most corners of the pub there will be a fruit machine – not a vending machine for apples and pears but a gambling machine that displays a bewildering array of flashing light combinations that only the pub regulars will be able to decipher. The legal age for this is also 18.

Pubs used to be forced to shut (by law) to close at 11.00 but then another law was passed which allowed them to stay open 24 hours a day if they had the requisite licence. However, you will be lucky to get served in most pubs beyond midnight. So make the most of them, particularly if you are in a good one.

Eating In

So you have decided the pub is ok and you want to eat here but they don’t have an immediately recognisable restaurant area where you can sit down and be served. It's entirely up to you where you sit in a pub as long as you don't sit where any of the regulars sit.

Once seated go back to the bar and ask for a menu and order directly there. You might be asked for immediate payment (this is ok) and you will probably be presented with some sort of identifying implement by which the food can find you. This might be a number on a stick, a wooden spoon or even a flashing light. Do not be alarmed it is only a way of matching the ordered vittals to the customer. If you are happy with the service a simple smile and "thankyou" will suffice – there is no need to tip the bar staff. However if they have been exemplary in their service you can offer to buy them a drink (the money for which often goes into a glass full of change and is shared by the staff anyway).

Golden Rules for Tourists:

Hopefully your visit will have been an enjoyable one in which the time will have flown and it will soon be time to return to your lodgings.

In closing here are few golden rules to abide by:

1) Avoid the pubs with the trendy names – Custard Pot & Carrot or the Mind Over Matter – these are modern aberrations of pubs and are to be avoided.

2) Die hard regulars are people who regard the pub as their private home from home and the more there are the less like a pub it is. If the pub goes silent when you enter and you feel their steely gaze – just leave

3) Sometimes you will meet animals in pubs. The ‘pub dog’ is a typical example and he lives entirely on a diet of peanuts and pork scratchings. Occasionally the landlord will have other more exotic flora but we recommend that pubs with lizards/bison/snakes etc. be given a wide berth.

4) If you are drinking with locals get used to the ‘round system’ when buying drinks. “Getting your round in” is an important part of drinking culture to get right first time. It is basically a collective where each person in the group pays for a ‘round’ of drinks in turn. Never get this wrong or you will be dishonoured forever.