Bird's Eye View: It's not just about the beer

So there I was.  All on my own.  Again.  Siting in the corner of my local, waiting for The Chap to arrive.  It’s not such a bad place to be.  A pint of Dark Star American Pale in my hand and a packet of dry roasted peanuts to nibble on.  I was happy; in the pub, on my own, drinking and nibbling, not being harassed. 

It hasn’t always been this way.  A generation ago few women went to the pub alone, and if they did it certainly wasn’t for the beer.  Or the peanuts.  At the very least you could expect raised eyebrows, and at worst, abuse and harassment.  It would have been rare for women to be seen at the bar, they were usually banished to the snug or the off-license (behind that glass door in the corner).  Many pubs would not have even had female toilets.  Until recently women didn’t really drink much beer, let alone real ale.  Our favourite tipple would most likely to have a spirit, a soft drink or perhaps a half of lager.  Beer in a pint glass?  Unthinkable!

So yes, we’ve come a long way.  And yet lots of women still feel uncomfortable in pubs.  Many have had unpleasant experiences, often involving the drunken bore, but sometimes it is just the little things that need improving.  So what makes a pub female friendly?  A welcoming environment would be a start.  More seating.  An absence of sexist and offensive displays and marketing.  Cleanliness.  Healthy, good-value food (but keep those dry roasted peanuts!).  Books and magazines to peruse.  Soft furnishings (a cushion or two perhaps?).  Outside seating.  Clear signage for toilets.  Ah yes, toilets.  Don’t get me started on toilets.

Those dark, smelly, neglected loos with wet floors and doors that don’t shut.  Toilets that have no hot water, no hand wash, and dryers that don’t work.  I could go on.  Now I’m not a delicate little flower that gets easily distressed or distraught.  I’ve used festival loos – overflowing cubicles, long-drop tanks, and those funny ones where you take a shovel-full of sawdust in with you.  But I don’t want to experience any of that in a pub thank you very much.  And talking of festivals, I’ve been in some pub loos where I’ve regretted not wearing my festival wellies!  Some subjects are best not dwelt on….

I’ve heard of one or two pubs that have offered back massages and beauty treatments to entice women to their pubs.  Now I’m not sure my landlord would go that far (and I’m not sure I fancy a back rub from him either), but women do want a friendly welcome and good manners, and a relaxing, safe environment to meet your mates in.   Don’t blokes want that too?

Now, where’s that toilet?

Cheers!

The Beer Bird

(This article first appeared in the Norfolk Nips October 2016)