Wetherspoons bans drinkers from standing AT THE BAR to sup their pints leaving punters fuming
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WETHERSPOONS' drinkers are up in arms after being banned from standing by the bar to sip their pints. Regulars are already foaming over the traditional free-for-all being replaced with shop-like queues. And now some pubs in the chain have outlawed loitering at the bar with a pint.
![[Customers ordering drinks at the bar at the Roebuck pub in Rayleigh, Essex]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/pic-doug-seeburg-customers-ordering-960644287.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
A sign at the popular Roebuck in Rayleigh, Essex, tells punters: "No drinking at the bar. "Once served we kindly request that you move away from the bar area. Apologies for any inconvenience.". One local, retired builder Alf Spencer, 71, said: "I used to stand up at the bar but we're told not to now.
![[Pictures show the notice on the bar at the pub]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/drinker-wetherspoon-pub-roebuck-rayleigh-960609726.jpg?strip=all&w=810)
"It's always been a nice way to enjoy a pint and chat to the bar staff and the other locals. But I can see why they do it.". Another drinker told The Sun: "I can't believe they've introduced this. Surely being stood at the bar is one of the joys of the British pub.
![[Wetherspoon pub The Roebuck Rayleigh]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/drinker-wetherspoon-pub-roebuck-rayleigh-960609688.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
"First ridiculous queues and now this. Standing at the bar is part of what makes the great British pub experience what it is.". Defending the rule, which was brought in at the start of December, the manager of the Roebuck said: "At Christmas there were 500 people here.
![[Pub regulars Alf, Paul and Micky, who like the new rules]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/drinker-wetherspoon-pub-roebuck-rayleigh-960609639.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
"We need people to move from the bar when it's that busy. It's not health and safety. This is for service. It is an organisational thing.". When asked if there was backlash to the rule, the manager replied: "Oh yeah, of course. "It doesn't really matter if some people are unhappy about it. We have a zero tolerance policy for abuse in our pub.".
![[Pubgoers are not allowed to drink at the bar]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/pic-doug-seeburg-customers-ordering-960644326.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
