The traditional English pub has been part of the UK national fabric for centuries and some examples are so old, it’s almost unfathomable to many American visitors. Like ‘Ye Old Trip to Jerusalem’ in Nottingham that dates back to 1189 AD, or ‘The Bingley Arms’ in West Yorkshire that claims to have originated in the 10th century.
If you’re planning to visit England consider booking a guided tour, but be warned, you’ll likely end up in a pub at some point. Frankly, it’s inevitable.
A first visit to the Great British pub provides a different experience from the typical American bar with unwritten rules and subtle social cues, but it could be the best way to experience authentic English culture.
Order ‘Rounds’ At The Bar
In contrast to many American bars, there’s no table service for drinks in a traditional English pub. You walk up to the bar, wait to catch the bartender’s eye, place your order, pay, and take your drinks back to your table. Don’t sit down and wait for someone to take your drinks order, nobody will. The staff aren’t being rude; they’re simply operating within a completely different system.
While you’re in a British pub, you will no doubt hear someone boldly state “My round”, and if you are drinking with them, pay attention, you are entering an unspoken agreement that everyone will take turns buying drinks for the entire group.
You’re expected to participate but the math can be challenging; arrive when it’s already six pints in and there are eight people drinking, you’ll still be expected to buy a round. If you’re only having one drink, politely decline the round system from the start. It’s the politest way to state your intentions and not risk offending your new hosts!
No Need To Tip
Americans often expect to tip 20% or more, no matter where eating or drinking, but in a British pub, a tip is appreciated, but not expected. In fact, when buying drinks only, most Brits don’t tip at all. If the pub you are visiting has table service for food, a tip of 10% is considered perfectly acceptable.
Check your receipt, some pubs may add a service charge automatically, especially for food orders, but they are the exception rather than the rule.
Tasting Real Ale
When experiencing England’s beautiful countryside, with a tour from Best UK Tours, you’ll have the chance to encounter real ale, sometimes called cask ale. It’s beer that continues conditioning in the barrel and is served at cellar temperature through traditional hand pumps.
Britain has a reputation for serving beer “warm and flat.” but in reality, It’s neither. Beer is served cooler than room temperature and has natural carbonation. Flavours are more pronounced, the variety is enormous, and many pubs take pride in their ale selection.
Last Orders Means ‘10 minutes’
If you hear a bell ring and a shout of “last orders,” you have ten minutes to get to the bar and order your final drinks of the evening. Then “time” is also called, which gives you twenty minutes to finish your drink and leave
Closing times may vary depending on the pub’s location and type. Some shut doors at eleven, others stay open later, particularly in larger cities. During our longer, multi-day tours, you will have the chance to see just how many pubs line the streets of British cities and towns.
Food Quality Varies
Gastropubs emerged because traditional pub food was, well, not always that great, but fortunately, times have changed. Many pubs now serve excellent food, using locally sourced ingredients that are carefully prepared. Check reviews, ask your tour guide, or take a look at what other tables are eating.
A Sunday roast in a good pub is magnificent, while a microwaved soggy burger from a bad pub is just depressing. Don’t be taken in by appearances, the price point and the building’s appearance are not reliable indicators of quality. Some shabby looking village pubs do exceptional food, while some smart-looking places serve disappointing meals.
Children And Dogs Are Welcome
Unlike many American bars, English pubs often welcome families and dogs – something quite surprising to US visitors – but there are rules that must be abided by.
- Children must be accompanied by adults
- They can’t sit at the bar or order
- They usually must leave by 9pm.
Some pubs are more family-friendly than others with beer gardens, play areas, or children’s menus in evidence.
Many pubs also welcome dogs with water bowls, dogs under tables, and regulars who bring their pet pooch with them. The expectation is that your dog is calm, well controlled, and not disturbing other customers.
The Beer Garden
“Let’s sit in the beer garden” might lead you to a delightful English garden with flowers, lush green lawns, and sunshine. Or it could lead you to a concrete yard with a few benches and a solitary, lonely ashtray.
There is an enormous variety with some pubs having beautifully manicured gardens, stunning views over local countryside, and bubbling rivers meandering by. Others have a simple outdoor area where people can smoke and drink.
Standing At The Bar
If you have never been to the UK, you may not know that English people, when in their local pub, often stand at the bar with pint in hand, chatting with friends or other patrons. This ‘bar-propping’ is a semi-strategic move; conversation flows easily, you’re positioned for easy ordering, and there’s a different social energy around the bar.
Many regulars spend entire evenings standing with drinking companions at the bar rather than sitting down at a table. For American visitors, taking one of our bespoke tours, might be one of the best ways to experience different public houses. Some of the customs may feel odd, but there is no need to worry, it’s completely normal.
How To Find Good Pubs
England has around 40,000 pubs, and quality covers an expansive range from older, well seasoned establishments to higher end ‘gastropubs’. But how do you find the best ones?
Best UK Tours have spent years bringing tour groups to the country, and we know which pubs have the best Sunday roasts, which are welcoming to visitors, and which ones to avoid.
Book your next trip with Best UK Tours and experience something the guidebooks can’t give you; an authentic social experience that provides a unique peek into British cultur
