The mystery behind why pub-goers choose to form orderly queues at the bar, rather than crowding shoulder-to-shoulder whilst attempting to order beverages, like they did pre-Covid, appears to have been solved.
A contribution to the r/CasualUK Reddit page prompted members of the public to suggest explanations for these single file queues maintaining their popularity.
The practice initially emerged when customers were required to queue in line following social distancing regulations during the Covid-19 pandemic.
However, it seems to be a pub system that has persisted since its introduction, though some patrons are no longer prepared to participate.
An individual who believes they have decoded the reasoning behind continuing queues at bars has revealed their theory. Whilst they encountered a mixed response to their proposition, it has struck a chord with several regular pub-goers.
They posted: “The real reason behind the rise of single file queues in pubs. I’m posting this because I feel too many people argue about and bemoan this recent phenomenon as some sort of symptom of inexperienced pub-goers, when it’s not.”
“The reason this queueing started is very simple, and it’s nothing to do with Covid or Gen X. It’s an entirely ancient British response to a newish (last 10 years? ) bar phenomenon, namely having the till ON THE BAR ITSELF.
“These rollercoaster style queues only come about when there’s a Point of Sale ON the bar. Look around next time you encounter it, it’s so bl***y clear that touchscreen tills and chip and pin payment are the cause.
“They make it easier for the staff to put through food orders and accept payment, the staff stay by them at all times, and we pub-goers see that activity and like moths to a newly opened supermarket cashier flock into an orderly line.”
However, some patrons are still bypassing the queues entirely, choosing instead to walk directly up to the bar. One individual shared: “I see them all the time.
“I had it recently where it looked like there was someone free at the other end of the bar, so I walked past the queue and ordered straight away.
“I gather people in the queue didn’t like it but you can’t really expect everyone working there to huddle around a 1 meter section of the bar.”
Another concurred, adding: “Do the same every time I see a queue, all the bar staff I’ve spoken to are happy to serve. Had a few times they’ve shouted at people to spread out across the bar and punters don’t listen.”
Some are even prepared to face the ire of those waiting patiently in the queue. A third added: “I had an old dude in a Wetherspoons up north get annoyed because I walked up to the empty bar and got served straight away.
“Do they expect the staff at the bar to shout next or something? All he had to do was take two steps forward and get served by the person who stopped doing bartender house work to serve me.”
