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I was visiting London by myself last week. Few people I know were busy so I couldn't meet them. In three free days I had, I went to coffee shops, restaurant, p

I was visiting London by myself last week. Few people I know were busy so I couldn't meet them. In three free days I had, I went to coffee shops, restaurant, parks and a pub. Guess where I met new people. Not saying you can't in other places, but to start an interaction with a stranger is so much more relaxed in(front of) a pub. Sure I could go to that group of people in the park, but wouldn't be that a bit to intrusive? In the blues pub where I went, at least I know they all like the same music as me. I had a chat with people who lived in the city their whole life. I had a chat with a person from the country with a similar name, the one others constantly mistake us for, I had a chat with a regular from a bar and someone who just arrived to the city. I chatted with someone who studied the same thing as me. I met someone who showed me a similar place couple of blocks away with whom I then walked and talked most of the night (in a park :) ). And no one really expects you to drink. What is more, if you are not there at strange night hours, most of the people don't act that differently after two or three beers.

ramraj07 3y ago
This is the only acceptable reason I can see for going to a pub, if this truly matters to you. I don’t mind meeting and knowing new people, but honestly just don’t see the net benefit. Going to a pub to not get drunk, they better have stellar jazz or killer wings lol. Not sure I’d do it anywhere except in New Orleans. Where I have.
- Eisenstein 3y ago
  > I don’t mind meeting and knowing new people, but honestly just don’t see the net benefit. This sounds rather self-absorbed.
- selimthegrim 3y ago
  Where did you go in New Orleans?
thorin 3y ago
Which blues pub was it? I used to enjoy going to the 12 bar in Denmark Street but a lot of the music scene there has closed down now. That used to be where a lot a the musical instrument shops were. Unfortunately due to rents and online selling there aren't too many physical music shops anymore in Central London.
- zigman1 3y ago
  "Ain't Nothing But..." blues bar in Soho. Given the location I was expecting to be a bit too mainstream, but I was pleasantly surprised.
tootie 3y ago
I split my early 20 between NYC and London and my life revolved around bars, pubs and parties. By 25, I had quite literally had enough. Impossible to say how my life would have turned out if I'd never lived that life, but I don't really look back fondly on any of it. In the 20 years since those days, I've been drunk maybe twice and drink zero alcohol most weeks.

ramraj07 3y ago

This is the only acceptable reason I can see for going to a pub, if this truly matters to you. I don’t mind meeting and knowing new people, but honestly just don’t see the net benefit. Going to a pub to not get drunk, they better have stellar jazz or killer wings lol. Not sure I’d do it anywhere except in New Orleans. Where I have.

Eisenstein 3y ago
> I don’t mind meeting and knowing new people, but honestly just don’t see the net benefit. This sounds rather self-absorbed.
selimthegrim 3y ago
Where did you go in New Orleans?

thorin 3y ago

Which blues pub was it? I used to enjoy going to the 12 bar in Denmark Street but a lot of the music scene there has closed down now. That used to be where a lot a the musical instrument shops were. Unfortunately due to rents and online selling there aren't too many physical music shops anymore in Central London.

zigman1 3y ago
"Ain't Nothing But..." blues bar in Soho. Given the location I was expecting to be a bit too mainstream, but I was pleasantly surprised.

tootie 3y ago

I split my early 20 between NYC and London and my life revolved around bars, pubs and parties. By 25, I had quite literally had enough. Impossible to say how my life would have turned out if I'd never lived that life, but I don't really look back fondly on any of it. In the 20 years since those days, I've been drunk maybe twice and drink zero alcohol most weeks.