Drinkers 'disgusted by new pub trend that has become an epidemic'
Drinkers have been left confused over a new trend spotted inside UK pubs. The new trend has seen the traditional pub etiquette of standing at the bar take a back seat.
Instead, punters have started to form very British single file queues inside pubs. Some queues are so long that they span the length of the establishment.
Regulars have started to voice their annoyance, with many labelling it a new 'epidemic'. Queues have been spotted in pubs including The Pear Tree in Edinburgh, The Woolpack in Norwich and the Watering Hole in Perranporth.
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It is believed the new tradition was born during the Covid era when pubs had to comply with social distancing rules. A spokesperson for the Waterloo Tap, in London, said: "I miss the days of gathering around the bar in terms of access for other customers, keeping the atmosphere inside alive.
"It never happened pre-Covid but once things started opening up after lockdown and we were made to keep 1m away from each other, the single file queue has stuck. I have worked in my pub since 2019 and that is the only explanation for it, no one used to do it before Covid.
"I can also appreciate that from a customer point of view, it's easier to keep track of whose turn it is. It has definitely caught on, they've been doing it for years and they do it everywhere."
Punters have since voiced their displeasure on the topic. One person said: "Been in this situation before, instead I walked straight to the bar and got served in 30 seconds. Was glorious hearing the tutting que."
Another said: "Good god, it is an epidemic." A third commented: "I just don’t get this." While one person added: "This is obscene."
One punter said: "Complete nonsense, if you’re queueing in a bar like this, you’re a fool." Rod Truan, whose Twitter account, @QueuesPub campaigns against single-file queueing in pubs, told The Guardian: "It seems to have started because of Covid.
"It’s like a hundred years of tradition have been swept away overnight. It’s unique to British pub culture, that when you go to the bar, you meet new people, you have conversations, you have banter, it’s about public spirit, and that makes it worthwhile."