Publicans across the United Kingdom are calling for an end to single-file queuing at their bars, a practice that emerged during COVID-19 social distancing measures but has persisted, with owners arguing it detracts from the traditional pub experience and negatively impacts business.
Pub owners report that an increasing number of patrons, especially younger customers, are forming orderly lines reminiscent of post offices rather than mingling along the bar. This shift, they contend, leads to longer service times as multiple staff members might serve a single customer sequentially, instead of addressing patrons at various points along the bar simultaneously. The queues can also snake through venues, creating an awkward atmosphere.
Hamish Glenn, owner of Hackney Church Brew Co in East London, has found the trend so detrimental that he has posted signs urging customers not to queue. Despite these efforts, he says the habit persists. Glenn has gone as far as to ban the practice entirely and has even considered charging extra for those who queue. "No one's really striking up conversations at bars anymore and having a chat and going, oh yeah, no, he was next or whatever, which is the way it's always been," Glenn told the Daily Mail. "Which is a real shame, but from a financial standpoint, it's a killer."
Glenn believes the trend may be partly due to a hangover from COVID-19, but also a generational shift, with some patrons seemingly unsure of traditional pub etiquette. He notes that when the bar is busy, the single-file queue slows down service considerably, even when multiple staff are available to serve. Furthermore, he observes that patrons in queues often remain engrossed in their phones, delaying their orders once they reach the front.
These operational challenges are occurring as pubs grapple with rising costs. Glenn highlighted increased ingredient prices and a doubled rent, making efficient service crucial for independent businesses. He stated that some customers simply leave if they encounter a queue.
A Cultural Debate
The issue has gained broader attention, even being featured in The Wall Street Journal under the headline "The queue: pub culture's mortal threat." The article noted that the British tradition of approaching the bar directly and making eye contact with the bartender is being replaced by what some describe as a more impersonal queuing system.
Greg Grundy, owner of The Egremont pub in Worthing, West Sussex, also disapproves of single-file queues, calling them joyless and more akin to a bank or post office. He emphasizes that during busy periods, his pub employs ample staff to minimize the need for any queuing. "Part of the British experience of going out is that you stand at the bar and then you let someone go in front of you if they've been there first. It's doing the right thing. It's the British sense of fairness, isn't it?" Grundy remarked.
Beyond financial and efficiency concerns, publicans like Glenn express worry about the loss of social interaction. The traditional practice of standing at the bar, acknowledging who is next, and potentially engaging in conversation with fellow patrons is diminishing as people become more isolated in queues.
A campaign group named Pub Queues, led by Rod Truan, aims to combat what it terms "un-British" single-file queuing. Truan shares photos of the practice on social media and argues that the extended length of pub bars is designed for patrons to approach directly, fostering a social atmosphere that queuing disrupts.
Public Opinion Divided
Public opinion on the matter appears to be split. A YouGov poll of 6,000 Britons found that 40% preferred the traditional way of queuing at pubs, while 39% were against it, and 21% were undecided.
Patrons interviewed at London's Hunter S pub expressed mixed views. Molly Walsh, 23, found single-file queuing to be a fair system, particularly for shorter individuals who might be overlooked at a busy bar. Conversely, Alice James, 33, who previously worked in pubs, described the practice as "irritatingly modern" and lacking the traditional English pub feel.
The debate has even drawn commentary from public figures. Andy Burnham, then Mayor of Greater Manchester, voiced his strong opposition to single-file pub queues in a social media video, urging people to stop the practice. Downing Street has also made statements supporting the traditional pub environment, advocating for local authorities to collaborate with the industry to ensure pubs can thrive.