by Shaheen Darr

Created on: July 07, 2008   Last Updated: May 12, 2010

The origins of the British pub lie in Roman times when they were known as 'tabernae' or wine selling shops. As more and more towns were built by the Romans these tabernae' grew in popularity as they provided breaks for the workers when needed. Gradually the tabernae' became taverns and the taverns became public houses or pubs as they are commonly called. In addition to selling wine there was now food being served and there was a room or two available for those who needed a place to stay on their journeys around Britain.

The pub is at the heart of the local communities and it is impossible to find an area in Britain where there isn't a local pub. The range of food served in pubs has increased over the years and you can get a good range of meals available from the traditional fish and chips, sausages and mash to chilli con carne and steak and kidney pie. People meet each other in the pub and while some get on with a game of darts or pool others can just relax in the garden and have a beer or a 'pint' as it is commonly called.

While beer is common in pubs you can also get a range of soft drinks especially if you are being accompanied by children. Pubs are cosy places where families get together during the day or in the evenings for a meal. They are also social meeting places for the local community and people who go to their local pub regularly are called the 'regulars' and the pub is their 'local'. Some pubs have music evenings for their customers and pub quizzes are also quite popular for families and friends who go out to their 'local' for an evening of enjoyment.

Pubs need licences to operate and most of them are provided by large companies like Fullers and Cains. These companies brew their own beer which is unique to them and sold at their outlets. Another unique thing about pubs is the sign that hangs outside the building. Normally there is an illustration on the sign for example the Red Lion will have a picture of the red lion on it and if the name of the pub is that of a nobleman then the coat of arms of that person is represented on the sign. A bit of history accompanies each sign that has been assigned to a pub in that particular area.

Pubs open from 11am to about 11pm at night and people can walk up to the bar and order food and drinks without having to wait for waiter service. This is an understood aspect of all pubs. The British might have a reputation of being reserved but the friendliness and social skills all come out at the pub where you can offer drinks to strangers without appearing rude or impolite. Women go out with work colleagues and friends to pubs as often as men do and these are places which represent women's equality very clearly in British society today.

The popularity of pubs in Britain is also represented very effectively in the soaps that frequent the television viewings of the British people most evenings. The Rovers Return is the pub in the famous programme Coronation Street and the 'Queen Vic' is the pub around which most of the lives of the Eastenders characters revolve.

Due to the criticism of the excessive drinking aspect of the British society and the anti social behaviour of drunken hooligans there has been a reduction in the opening hours of the pubs. In addition there have also been smoking bans introduced for pub goers. People who do not like a drink can avoid pubs but for most British people they are an important part of British history and British society.

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