Sunday, March 29, 2009

Sunday, Sunday

Back in the mid-80s, when we were still allowed only a measly two hours’ drinking time on Sunday lunchtime, my local pub would be standing room only from about 12.15 to last orders. Obviously something that was strictly rationed was enthusiastically consumed when available. Move forward 25 years, following progressive liberalisation of licensing hours, at 1.30 pm it’s practically deserted. Yet during the following 90 minutes large numbers of customers come in, so by three it’s heaving. A strange but dramatic change of drinking habits. I also often notice the car parks of food-oriented pubs full at 6 or 7 on Sunday evening, which is about the last time I would contemplate going out to a pub for a meal.