‘If they weren’t in the Pub, they Probably wouldn’t Even Know each Other’: Alcohol, Sociability and Pub Based Leisure

Abstract

While the form and function of pubs is diverse and has changed over time, there remains an at least notional consensus that the pub plays an important social function by providing a place for people to come together in pleasurable and meaningful social interaction. Drawing on qualitative research involving focus groups with pub goers and interviews with pub staff, this paper examines the forms of sociability that take place in UK pubs. Pubs are shown to be sites for varied social interactions which differ in form, intensity and meaning. This includes regular pub going rooted in customer routines but also occasional pub going linked to a wider range of events and associated leisure activities. A common theme across these forms of pub sociability is the value placed on feelings of social connections provided by different forms of social interaction and sociability which are facilitated by the hospitable atmospheres many pubs offer. Pubs are therefore cast as important sites through which various forms of sociability are enacted and enabled. The article contributes to ongoing debates about the social role of alcohol based leisure practises but also stresses the decentring of intoxication apparent in many of these accounts and, further, indicates an increasing diversification of pub based leisure.

“Alcohol is life, it’s part of us”: Examining the Everyday Experiences of Alcohol Use in Botswana

“…With limited entertainment spots, bars and other licensed premises become important spaces for socialization. This finding corroborates existing research on the spatial and temporal aspects of alcohol use (Gruenewald, 2007 ; Miller, 2019 ; Muir, 2012 ; Thurnell-Read, 2020 ). In this study, going to bars and other drinking places constitutes an important leisure activity that provide drinkers with an opportunity to interact and connect.…”

“…This body of work attends to the varied experiences of alcohol use that include drunkenness, disorderliness, violence and transactional drinking by youth in leisure scenes. Thurnell-Read ( 2020 ) has recently identified alcohol use as a key contributor to sociality amongst pub goers in the United Kingdom (UK). His study concludes that pubs are sociable sites that “serve local communities in ways that may establish, maintain and protect social connection and interaction” (Thurnell-Read, 2020 : 15).…”

“…Thurnell-Read ( 2020 ) has recently identified alcohol use as a key contributor to sociality amongst pub goers in the United Kingdom (UK). His study concludes that pubs are sociable sites that “serve local communities in ways that may establish, maintain and protect social connection and interaction” (Thurnell-Read, 2020 : 15). In leisure studies, some research attends to gender norms amongst drinkers in the NTE (Nicholls, 2019 ; Schwanen et al, 2012 ).…”

From ‘Wet Led’ to ‘Dry Led’: Food and the Contested Framing of Alcohol Establishments

“…For instance, Haynes and Egan argue that the "fourth wave" of craft-led micro-pubs and bars are increasingly focused on extending their food offerings (Haynes & Egan, 2019), and Dodd et al note the importance of collaborations with craft food manufacturers by craft beer venues. These shifts are attributed to the need to diversify revenue streams and customer demands and expectations on the availability of food, especially in "craft" led establishments (Smith, Farrish, McCarroll, & Huseman, 2017;Murray & O'Neill, 2012;Thurnell-Read, 2021). However, these changes must be seen alongside long-standing regulatory pressures -which themselves form part of the efforts to "civilise" drinking practicesto align alcohol consumption with the consumption of food.…”

“…The literature points to two main, inter-linked reasons for this shift. First, the need to diversify revenue streams in an increasingly competitive sector by introducing or improving on an establishment's food offer (Thurnell-Read, 2021). Second, to respond to customer demands and expectations on the availability of food, especially in "craft" led establishments (Smith, Farrish, McCarroll, & Huseman, 2017;Murray & O'Neill, 2012).…”