In defence of eating in Pubs

From  my other site (The original Stickings90 site), you will gather that I am of a certain religious persuasion. Some would argue that as such, I should not step foot in such an establishment as a pub for any reason, because, horror of horrors, alcohol is served in these dens of iniquity. I have included this page to explain why I still eat in these establishments. I could try and drag up the usual arguments from the scriptures, but I have decided against that course.

Well first I could point to the historical origin of the British Pub lies with the church (See introduction) as opposed to the American Bar. (Apologies to those across the pond)

 

I go into these places to eat, just as if I was going to a conventional restaurant. I am not going to get drunk, in fact I am teetotal and I do not drink alcoholic drinks. If someone were to go to a conventional restaurant, they would still be able to order alcoholic drinks, and get sloshed.

But I hear them say "The primary purpose of the restaurant is to serve food, where as that of the pub is to serve Drink!!"

Wrong! The purpose of any business is to make money, serving drink, food or putting on shows what ever it takes. The British Pub can be a several thousand pound a year business, and a lot of them are indistinguishable from restaurants, some include family areas separate from the main bar. It is an interesting historical note, that in the wild west saloon bars, the job of the lady servers was to make sure the clients spent money, if that meant sleeping with them, so be it. Prostitution therefore occurred in these establishments, but that was not the primary purpose of the business.

But They will contend "Alcohol is sold there"

Alcohol is served in Restaurants, as stated above. Also Alcohol is sold in grocery stores and supermarkets, especially the 24 hour ones, yet those who say we should not set foot in a pub will still use those establishments. In fact in terms of the social problem of drunkenness, this is less likely in a British pub, because it is an offence for a landlord to serve someone who is at a certain stage of intoxication. Where I live we have the problem of people, sitting outside drinking themselves silly from 2 litre bottles of alcoholic beverages, purchased from local shops that sell alcohol as a sideline. When they finish one they find a shop and buy another and go back to continue their path to oblivion. There seems no control, until they are reported to the police.