The Unspoken Rule Tourists Should Know Before Ordering Beer At A Pub In The UK

The British revere their pubs, almost religiously. With this in mind, it comes as no surprise that the process of ordering a pint in a British pub has its own delicate etiquette. These types of cultural differences are what really set apart the Brits from Americans, and many will only learn from first-hand experience that there is nothing more embarrassing than getting the fine art of ordering a pint wrong. Not only is table service not the norm, but you shouldn't dilly dally when you order at the bar, either.

These age-old British drinking establishment customs and traditions mean that there is a lot of room to commit a cultural faux pas, so knowing the rules of the game in advance will determine your overall pub experience. Since there are around 45,000 pubs dotted around the U.K., each with a unique history and character (including some small haunted pubs), you can practice your etiquette on almost every street corner, and partake in one of the most quintessential British activities to exist. But make sure to have these pointers in mind to avoid catching unwanted attention from the regulars, who can spot an outsider from a mile away — even before your accent gives you away.

The first thing to note when arriving at a pub is that nobody will be coming to your table to ask what you want, so save yourself some time by heading to the bar immediately and trying to catch the eye of the bartender. British people are very well-versed in the art of drinking and usually have strong views on their beers. From lagers to ales, stouts, and ciders, pubs will usually have a large selection of both bottled drinks and beer on tap.

You'll want to have a clear idea of the exact brand or type of beer you want rather than asking for a full run down or what's on tap, as the other patrons don't like to wait around to get served while the bartender offers lengthy explanations of what's available. If you're unfamiliar with the local beers, you can usually find a list on a menu or a chalkboard on display. You can peruse the list before heading up to order.

Pubs are generally all about community — some pubs are even owned by a committee of community members rather than one sole owner. It's your job as the customer to know your beer, rather than the bartender's job to explain it to you. This is only an exception in craft beer pubs that offer frequently rotating varieties of local or artisanal beer from small breweries. Don't expect a fancy cocktail menu at any of these establishments, either. The closest you'll get is a gin and tonic, and you're expected to know what kind of gin you want.

You'll immediately notice the difference between British bartenders and American ones, principally in their general demeanor, which can tend to be quite stoic because their job is simply to take your order and give you food — no frills. Since British bartenders aren't working to earn tips, you may experience a different type of customer service than you are accustomed to in the U.S., with nobody trying to win your favor. The tipping culture in the U.K. is different, but if you'd like to show your appreciation for their work, you can tell them to keep the change or offer to buy the bartender a drink. 

If you want to befriend the locals, nothing says "I love you" like buying a round. Sending one person to the bar rather than your entire party also prevents the bar from getting too crowded, a sure way to win over the bartender and show gratitude to the staff. You won't find order at the bar, as everyone crowds at the counter trying to get served — though queueing is slowly becoming the norm, so follow the lead of the locals when in doubt. You don't want to be an annoying tourist when visiting Europe! Of course, as the night progresses and you take turns buying rounds, just make sure you get your order in before last call. Most pubs have strict closing times due to their alcohol licenses (except for those with 24-hour licenses) so don't expect them to wait for you to finish your drink!