24 hour drinking
Jan. 14th, 2005 08:49 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
sobriqueThe next big fuss in the media, is about "24 hour drinking". Only it's not, really is it? They're just relaxing licensing hours, so it isn't "drinking up time" at 11.
What this really means is that some pubs may be open a little longer, and one or two, quite a lot longer. You're not going to get more pissed people on the streets, you're just going to get about the same number, spread over a few hours.
I currently go to a pub that's a little flexible about its hours. And I can tell you for sure, that it really doesn't make much difference - the major distinction is that customers start to filter out at 11 or so, not in one big rush. There are no fights, and I don't think anyone gets more drunk that they would if they stopped serving punctually.
I don't know about you, but I just can't keep on drinking. If the pub was open until (say) 4 am as a standard, I'd probably drink a similar number (maybe one or two more) and go home before closing time.
So basically, all this law _really_ means is that landlords don't risk fines for a law that was designed to get the workers back in the factories during the war.
I think this is a great idea. I think most pubs will still close about the same time - after all, they don't want to be up all night, but that it'll be possible to get a taxi and not have to queue for junk food just after kicking out time.
What this really means is that some pubs may be open a little longer, and one or two, quite a lot longer. You're not going to get more pissed people on the streets, you're just going to get about the same number, spread over a few hours.
I currently go to a pub that's a little flexible about its hours. And I can tell you for sure, that it really doesn't make much difference - the major distinction is that customers start to filter out at 11 or so, not in one big rush. There are no fights, and I don't think anyone gets more drunk that they would if they stopped serving punctually.
I don't know about you, but I just can't keep on drinking. If the pub was open until (say) 4 am as a standard, I'd probably drink a similar number (maybe one or two more) and go home before closing time.
So basically, all this law _really_ means is that landlords don't risk fines for a law that was designed to get the workers back in the factories during the war.
I think this is a great idea. I think most pubs will still close about the same time - after all, they don't want to be up all night, but that it'll be possible to get a taxi and not have to queue for junk food just after kicking out time.
