A British pub must never be confused with an American bar. Pubs are an important part of the life and culture in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and, of course, the Republic of Ireland.
The word “pub” comes from “public house.” In older times, the term signified someone’s house that had been opened to the public. A pub is truly the neighborhood’s living room. It’s an everyday party for the neighborhood, and your welcome is a bit warmer than in an American bar. The owner or operator is referred to by various names: host, publican, landlord, governor. He often lives on the premises.
KNOW YOUR DRINK
Can we stop asking the female bartender what IPA she recommends? She drinks Pinot Grigio and she doesn’t even like it. Order a Budweiser or a Guinness or a Maker’s on the rocks. The drinks they’re serving are really just rotten vegetables and we’re drinking them because they give us a buzz. As you sit there poring over the menu like any of this matters, we are fantasizing about ripping your head off. You don’t go to a drug den and order strawberry heroin, so stop asking questions about some stupid pumpkin ale.