Britain's pub-going culture is under threat from a peculiar phenomenon: single-file queues forming at bars. Those behind are forced to stand patiently while one person is served, before being called forward, like border control.
The shift has left many publicans perplexed and frustrated, with some struggling to understand why this normative behavior has taken hold. At Wolfpack Taproom in north-west London, staff have reported queuing customers who had previously been able to simply walk up to the bar without issue. Paul Loebenberg, managing director of the brewery behind the taproom, likened the scene to a chaotic border crossing.
"It's like everyone copied one person's behavior," he said. "Staff have had to intervene and encourage these individuals not to queue."
Wylam Brewery in Newcastle has also reported an increase in single-file queuing at their bars. Jess Riley, manager of Wylam's large bar and events space, believes the trend began around 2020, shortly after the pandemic.
"It was like people suddenly liked waiting in line," she said. "I've argued with customers who refused to stop queuing because they thought it was unfair."
While some see this behavior as a logical alternative to overcrowding, others view it as illogical and time-consuming. For John Drury, a professor of psychology at the University of Sussex, this new norm is both rational and irrational.
"People don't want to be seen as deviant or troublesome," he explained. "The pressure to conform to norms means that people may prefer waiting in line even if it's not efficient."
Data shows that waiting times do not decrease when queuing occurs. However, Drury suggests that this does not necessarily affect how people perceive their experience.
"Even though the data doesn't show a difference, some individuals still prefer the sense of control and predictability provided by queuing," he said.
The shift has left many publicans perplexed and frustrated, with some struggling to understand why this normative behavior has taken hold. At Wolfpack Taproom in north-west London, staff have reported queuing customers who had previously been able to simply walk up to the bar without issue. Paul Loebenberg, managing director of the brewery behind the taproom, likened the scene to a chaotic border crossing.
"It's like everyone copied one person's behavior," he said. "Staff have had to intervene and encourage these individuals not to queue."
Wylam Brewery in Newcastle has also reported an increase in single-file queuing at their bars. Jess Riley, manager of Wylam's large bar and events space, believes the trend began around 2020, shortly after the pandemic.
"It was like people suddenly liked waiting in line," she said. "I've argued with customers who refused to stop queuing because they thought it was unfair."
While some see this behavior as a logical alternative to overcrowding, others view it as illogical and time-consuming. For John Drury, a professor of psychology at the University of Sussex, this new norm is both rational and irrational.
"People don't want to be seen as deviant or troublesome," he explained. "The pressure to conform to norms means that people may prefer waiting in line even if it's not efficient."
Data shows that waiting times do not decrease when queuing occurs. However, Drury suggests that this does not necessarily affect how people perceive their experience.
"Even though the data doesn't show a difference, some individuals still prefer the sense of control and predictability provided by queuing," he said.
the pandemic might have messed with our social norms but this is just ridiculous 
i feel bad for the bartenders too, they're trying to do their job and now they gotta deal with all these queuers 
. I get it, some places might get too busy, but can't we just chill out and grab a drink without all the drama? 
I mean, I've been to bars where people were queueing up like they were at airport security 
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. It's time for us to rethink this whole queuing thing and go back to good ol' bar-hopping vibes 
I mean, can you believe it? People are literally lining up at bars like they're at an airport or something 
I get that overcrowding is a thing, but do we really need to queue up like that? It's so frustrating when you just want to grab a pint and sit down already 
. And don't even get me started on the people who refuse to move because they think it's unfair 
. Just...no. Can't we all just chill (get it, chill?) and drink our beers in peace? 
. I mean, what's next? Ordering food in single file at the drive-thru? 
It's just so... unnecessary. And yeah, I can see where it comes from - overcrowding and all that jazz, but come on! Is it really worth sacrificing your sanity for a little bit of order? 
. It's not that hard.
.
. Like, if you wanna stand out, maybe wear a funny hat or somethin', but waitin' in line ain't gonna make you look cool 
.
. It's like everyone lost their minds! I mean, what's next? Paying for beers at a checkout line like it's 2020 again 
. I've been to Wolfpack Taproom and Wylam Brewery, and I've seen customers queuing up for ages just because one person decided to stand still 
I'm also wondering, what's next? Are we gonna start rationing beer tap limits like a public restroom?! 
Stats say it's been going on since 2020, after lockdowns 
. I checked some pubs in London and Newcastle, and yeah, people are queuing like they're at a border control 
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. Staff are getting frustrated too 
. It's all about conforming to norms 
. Data says queuing doesn't make waiting times better 
, but hey, if you feel more in control, that's cool 
.
. Wylam Brewery reported a big change around 2020 when people started queuing up at their bars 
. And Wolfpack Taproom is dealing with similar issues 
.