Why no pubs in America?

[David Thornton]

Cross-posted for input, sorry if you have seen this.

I love a pub, best ones I have been in were in Australia, but I have been in great ones in other places as well. I like the atmosphere, the beer, particularly when the pub brews it’s own, the food, everything.

Everyone I travel is forced to endure my search for a good local pub, and we wind up spending time there, no one has ever been disappointed.

So, why don’t we have them in the US? I have given this considerable thought and discussion with friends, but have come to little consensus. So what say you?

[Standard]

David, I've often wondered the exact same thing. The atmosphere of a pub is a thing of beauty when properly done. And properly done almost never includes any of the "themed" restaurants/bars out there. A true pub atmosphere is definately a family / community gathering spot.

[Bob C]

I've been to plenty of pubs in plenty of places in America.

[Woodsheal]

I've been to plenty of pubs in plenty of places in America.

Agreed. There is no shortage of neighborhood pubs in the older, eastern-seaboard cities, towns and villages....

[long_hand]

Yea, we have 3 in the Dayton, Ohio area and I know of one in Columbus where they focus around the Crew. There is one down by Cincy I think also.

[mexpiper]

Because those places are created for families (at least a traditional pub). Most places that would serve spirits and libations in the states have to have a strict liquor license and that precludes allowing minors (somewhat) in them. If you noticed restaurants that have a bar area are usually separated from the restaurant.

When i was a kid, my elderly neighbor used to have me walk him to the local bar, so he could have a beer. I was allowed in only if we sat in the back away from the window. Than i would have a coke (it was a treat to have pop) Than once every 3 months I would walk him to the liquor store, i was not able to even carry the package out the door. Once we were 20 ft away i was able to carry it home! Mind you this was in the late 70's.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

On October 28, 1919 the Congress of the United States over-rode President Wilson's veto of the Volstead Act, which prohibited the manufacture or sale of alcohol for human consumption. Fourteen years later, on December 5, 1933 the Blaine Act (which overturned the Volstead Act) was ratified and "prohibition" came to an end. This fifteen year pause in the tavern trade (along with other social changes in the US) resulted in a permanent shift in the drinking habits of Americans, and is largely why "pubs"-- in the sense that they exist in Ireland, the UK and some commonwealth countries-- are not found in the USA.

There are taverns in the United States which try to create the atmosphere of British or Irish pubs, but by and large these "themed" establishments are in the minority. Interestingly, in both Ireland and the UK pub attendance is down in the 18-34 year old age group as this group tends to favor different drinks than those usually associated with pubs. Also, due to a general increase in disposable income in what are considered "working class" communities, many former pub patrons now entertain in their homes, or spend their leisure time following other social pursuits.

While die-hard habitues in Ireland or the UK will defend their local with the very last of their 2.0 breath, the fact remains that more people don't go drinking on a regular basis than spend their evenings down at the pub.

So why no pubs in the USA? Prohibition, traditionally greater affluence, and different cultural mores, have created a society that generally does not feel the need to express a sense of community down at the boozer.

[wvpiper]

I guess to answer the question, I would need to know what the OP considers to be a pub. More precisely, the attributes of the the pub that the OP finds so attractive.
I think there are plenty of neighborhood bars in America that have a sense of community. Many, or most, I bet serve food, don't have Friday night karaoke, are probably smoky if ordinance permits, and so forth.
Many brew beer on premise.

[jkane]

Milwaukee Wisconsin has a local pub on every corner. The town I grew up in had 800 people, and 8 bars. None made their own beer, but they had regulars who drank there on a steady schedule.

We have lot's of new "brew pubs" starting to come back. Some are commercial, but many are small places where locals can meet.

I look for them, and find them almost everywhere I go now.

I am in Cincinnati today. Maybe I'll go out in search of. ;-)

[SteveB]

I live in New England. In the Boston area there are many pubs that cater to families and do well as the primary business is good food and good conversation. The serving of alcoholic beverages is not the main focus.

Unfortunately very few have the feel of the rural Irish pub that I frequented while in Ireland. The second day of our stay, we entered at afternoon tea and quickly found ourselves served with our favourite bevvies and asked if we wished the same (food) as the night before. The third afternoon we entered quite tired from a long bit of travel. A group of locals that we had chatted with in the square during shopping, parking, picture taking, etc. invited us to the long table, where we sat and conversed with our new friends over our tea. The landlady brought it over without asking us anything. We thoroughly enjoyed the pub, its regulars and the landlady.

There are some here that try real hard, and for the most part do it well. They are mostly Mom & Pop establishments, and not part of any chain.

If you should travel to central Massachusetts, the Gardner Ale House is one that brews its own beers, has a great menu, atmosphere, staff, and a warm group of regulars.
In Boston there are many that exist in the neighbourhoods. It is just a matter of finding the atmosphere that you like, and then frequenting it enough to be a regular.
Portland, Maine has Three Dollar Dewey's.. It has character, atmosphere and a hearty group of nice people to visit with.

Most of the pubs are finding it hard to survive as the younger set stays home, or goes to the big box clubs. The rush of our society has removed the concept of relaxation from the schedule.

Slainte