Not sure if this was ever the case. The Christian temperance movement succeeded in restricting liquor trading hours in Australia in the early 20th century. Work

Not sure if this was ever the case. The Christian temperance movement succeeded in restricting liquor trading hours in Australia in the early 20th century. Workers would finish work and hurry to the pub for an hour of binge drinking known as the 6'oclock swill that lasted in some states until the 1960s. Working men's bars changed designs in response. Very long bars were needed to serve lots of beer in a hurry. And with people carrying lots of beers back to tables, sometimes doubling up before last drinks I expect a fair amount ended on the floor. So I think they got rid of all the fancy decor and went with tiles and troughs they could wash down which did give these old bars a public toilet look. I doubt if many have survived.