Hackney Church Brew Co, located on Bohemia Place, has issued a public service announcement pleading with customers to stop queuing single-file at the bar. The pub, known for its £3.50 pint offer every Thursday, says the habit is turning the bar into a 'post office' and preventing staff from serving efficiently.
Pub's plea: use the whole bar
In a lengthy Facebook post, the brewery addressed the issue directly: "Please stop queuing at the bar. We need to talk. You love our beer. We love you for loving our beer. You especially love our beer when it’s £3.50 a pint every Thursday. And frankly, who can blame you? But there’s a problem."
The post continued: "WHY ARE YOU ALL QUEUING SINGLE FILE AT THE BAR?!....... A BAR IS NOT A POST OFFICE. You do not need to form one enormous, beautifully polite British queue stretching halfway across the taproom while four members of staff stare forlornly at 15 feet of completely empty bar."
Staff frustration despite efforts
According to the pub, even with 'polite encouragement', 'gentle shouting', and 'instruction flyers', customers still refuse to abandon the queue. The brewery suggests the behaviour may stem from Covid-era habits, excessive British politeness, or new methods adopted by Gen Z, but insists it has gone too far.
Hackney Church Brew Co wants customers to return to traditional pub etiquette: "Here’s how pubs have worked for approximately forever: Use the WHOLE bar. If there’s space at the bar, stand there. If the bar is full, stand behind someone. Catch the bartender’s eye with a nod, a smile, a wink or an appropriately demure little wave. We’ll work out who’s next. That’s literally our job."
Supportive reactions from customers
The post attracted a wave of supportive comments from people agreeing that queuing at the bar has become a nuisance. One commenter wrote: "Any time I’ve been in a pub where this is happening I just walk right past the queue to the bar and I always get served. If people complain just say I’ve just shown you how a bar works, you’re welcome."
Another added: "Fight the good fight, people. Appreciate you calling this out. British bars are built to spread along; it's not the Post Office."
The pub's message has sparked a broader conversation about pub etiquette, with many agreeing that the traditional method of gathering at the bar and catching the bartender's eye is more efficient. The brewery's call to action appears to have resonated with patrons, who are encouraged to spread out along the bar and let staff determine who is next.
