TripHip - Travel Tips and Advice for Traveling on a Budget

Americans may not realize that UK pubs almost always have a completely different atmosphere than US bars. If you normally stay away from bars in the US, don't stay away from UK pubs just because you assume they'll just be the same old tired thing as their US counterparts. UK pubs are often unbelievably quaint, Hobbit-like places housed in buildings that were built 100s of years ago. They have a special ambiance that you could never find in American bars!

In the UK, pubs are usually family-friendly establishments that serve really good food. Most UK pubs are independently-owned, so you don't get the same bland food that you might get in American chain restaurants.

Therefore, don't avoid going to a UK pub just because you don't drink. There is a lot more to UK pubs than just alcohol. They are also a great place to people-watch and meet the locals.