Pubs are places where people can drink. They can serve a range of drinks, including beer, wine and cider. A pub is a place to meet friends. Some pubs have live bands and sporting events.
Pubs typically open at 11 AM. This time allows them to attract an early lunch crowd. After this hour, the focus switches to alcohol.
In the United Kingdom, pubs are also known as public houses. The name originates from the Latin word publicus. Publicus means “public” or “common.” These buildings are often rented, or owned by a private landlord.
Pubs were first known as alehouses during King Henry VII’s reign. Alehouses were indistinguishable from private homes, except they sold beer from the same brewery.
The Industrial Revolution led to an increase in demand for beer. To make it easier for brewers to get their product out to the public, the Beerhouse Act was passed in 1830. It made it illegal to have spirits in a home, except for the brewer’s own personal consumption.
As the demand for alcoholic beverages grew, pubs became more popular. By the 19th century, there were over 200,000 pubs in the UK. Many of them were purpose-built to be a separate business from the owner’s home.
In the past, pubs served as a meeting place and were a place to read the newspaper. Today, they are more common in urban areas. However, they can also be found in suburban or rural areas.
