24-Hour Party People

Now that's how you foster an Open Society -- the UK has finally been dragged out of the Dark Ages, by allowing at least some pubs to stay open after 11.

Comments

[Oeconomist]

Hurrah, at last!

Having said that, there really is a big drinking problem in England....

[Sandy]

Yeah, I had to drink too fast to get all the lovely bitter I could before 11. That was a problem.

[Matt Welch]

Oeconomist -- I've always assumed that the 11 pm closing time *exacerbated* the problem, by forcing a concentrated binge-frenzy, and bottling up demand that only gets uncorked with gruesome results in Ibiza and Prague....

[Rhywun]

Agreed... If I had to stop at 11pm, you better believe I'd binge.

[Rhywun]

"We see this as a central part of our drive to decrease alcohol consumption by young people, in particular alcohol consumption on the street," the home secretary, Charles Clarke, said.

Instead of emulating the puritanical United States (and almost certainly making whatever "drinking problem" exists worse), why not emulate, say, Germany, or at least, the Germany I lived in 20 years ago, where there were few restrictions on young people and no drinking "problem" that I could see.

[Lowdog]

That's how it was here in AZ. Up until recently, you couldn't serve any kind of alcohol after 1am. So when you were at the club, people would slam a bunch of drinks at the end of the night and would leave smashed. Now, I see more people actually drinking water as 2am approaches (the new cut-off time) and I don't see people staggering out of bars/clubs as often.

[Oeconomist]

I believe the forced "drinking up" time before "chucking out" time exacerbates the problem, too. It certainly had that effect on me during my university days.

I'm no prohibitionist, but there is just something not-quite-right about a society in which every social meeting--I mean ALL of them--requires the consumption of massive quantities of ale. Nothing wrong with getting pissed on occasion, but dear lord, every single night?!?

But at least the drunks will be inside the pub now, watched over by intimidating doormen, rather than out in the town square watched over by their drunk mates.

[Matt Welch]

Oecononomist -- Do you live in London, or near it? I'm going to be there Dec. 10 & throwing/hosting an ale-drenched party at some pub (preferably with the word "Cock" in the name); if you're around you should come out. Unless you don't like binge drinking, of course.

[Sandy]

there is just something not-quite-right about a society in which every social meeting--I mean ALL of them--requires the consumption of massive quantities of ale

Right. You should alternate your meetings with scotch and brandy.

[David Rollins]

there is just something not-quite-right about a society in which every social meeting--I mean ALL of them--requires the consumption of massive quantities of ale
Actually I find it quite refreshing to be so un-PC. I travel to London frequently and often feel like I am back in the frat house -- the binge drinking, the midnight curry, the hooking up with fat chicks...good times. Not to mention the plentiful public transport, being able to smoke in the bar, and being able to take your kids or dog. I believe it is considerably more difficult to develop a "drinking problem" with bitter than with spirits. To say nothing of Guinness.

[Oeconomist]

I prefer lager. Lots of it. In a proper Imperial pint glass. And filled to the brim as God meant for it to be--not with a half inch of head like in America.

Matt W - I'm a NYLON (a New York LONdoner). Or am I a LONNY? Often I can't tell the difference between the two. Anyway, I appreciate the offer, but unfortunately I am in NY until the day after Christmas.

You should try a pub in Holborn Rd called the "Bung Hole." I've heard it's really crap, but the name has a certain perverse appeal. Still, the prize for pub names goes to a filthy little place in Edinburgh: Filthy McNasty's.

[Matt Welch]

Oh my God I MUST drink at the Bung Hole!

[poco]

the binge drinking, the midnight curry, the hooking up with fat chicks...good times. Not to mention the plentiful public transport, being able to smoke in the bar, and being able to take your kids or dog.

Smoking's on the way out, given what a nanny Blair is, but the other traditions should continue unabated. Oh, and all the Routemasters (open rear platform doubledecker bus) have been retired in London. (Are there any left in other British cities?)

[Wild Pegasus]

Oh my God I MUST drink at the Bung Hole!

If they sell t-shirts, you need to buy one, and get a picture of yourself in front of the Bung Hole, wearing a Bung Hole t-shirt, and holding up a pint of Imperial Stout.

That's a drunken British time.

- Josh

[Butch]

By the way Matt, great movie reference with the title.

[mediageek]

"If they sell t-shirts, you need to buy one, and get a picture of yourself in front of the Bung Hole, wearing a Bung Hole t-shirt, and holding up a pint of Imperial Stout."

All while holding up a rubber bung.

[Syd]

I'm glad some British are finally getting a haven in case of zombie attack.

[DavidS]

You guys have no idea what a bitter struggle this has been - a classic classic case of what happens when all those opposed to a reform shout louder than those in favour of it. I can't imagine any British government will be stupid enough to try anything similar in the next few years...