Would you go to the pub by yourself?

Babybuff

I often head to my regular on my own for a cup of joe after work but usually end up meeting people along the way. Not sure I would do it if I was going for a drink, much rather be in company.

coffeeandshoes

smallerthanyou wrote: »

I'd like to think i'm quite happy in own company. Often gone for food and a glass of wine. But now i think of it i always have to have something to read and i'd never go somewhere people might recognise me cos they might think me a saddo so i still have steps to take to be entirely comfortable

The fantastic thing about not knowing anyone in Dublin is that I know for sure no one will recognize me lol! Large glass of vino for one? Yes please xx

Maple

Yes and I did so last night.

I finished work after 8 and didn't want to go straight home because that's all i've been doing the past few weeks as it's been so crazy. It all just felt like a bit of a drudge.

The coffee shop was wedged and closing in half an hour so I headed into the local and sat up with my book and a lovely glass of red and had some time to myself to breathe. It was delightful.

fuglywugly

I wouldnt go in the evening for a drink but i do go for lunches in pubs on my own, it doesnt bother me as long as i have a newspaper or magazine but if i didnt have something to keep my occupied i would probably feel a bit bored or wouldnt know where to look!

LenaClaire

When I was younger I would have said no, but then I started to travel alone a lot for business. I quite like reading a book and having a drink or a snack in a pub.

It gets me out of the house and you can usually have some good people watching

Babybuff

Maple wrote: »

Yes and I did so last night.

I finished work after 8 and didn't want to go straight home because that's all i've been doing the past few weeks as it's been so crazy. It all just felt like a bit of a drudge.

The coffee shop was wedged and closing in half an hour so I headed into the local and sat up with my book and a lovely glass of red and had some time to myself to breathe. It was delightful.

Snaps, decided to have a beer tonight after work and went on my own..and met someone very interesting in the smoking area..

does little girly dance

The Niece

Maple wrote: »

Yes and I did so last night.

I finished work after 8 and didn't want to go straight home because that's all i've been doing the past few weeks as it's been so crazy. It all just felt like a bit of a drudge.

The coffee shop was wedged and closing in half an hour so I headed into the local and sat up with my book and a lovely glass of red and had some time to myself to breathe. It was delightful.

+1 100% ...was in the same position a couple of times, and enjoyed the same but more in the sense of 'I have to catch my train in 45 minutes'

Seomra Mushie

Wouldn't go to the PUB by myself, as for me drinking is a social thing. Would, and have, gone to restaurants, cafés and the cinema by myself, as these are activities that can easily be enjoyed alone.

Sagesilver4

I'd have no problem going to pub by myself, with my laptop or a good book, since I prefer to be left alone anyway in most social settings (nothing against people, I'm just terribly shy in person towards people I don't know!)

Caraville

I suppose it would just depend on the pub. Some pubs would be grand to sit in, especially with a book or magazine and a drink, but there are pubs where you get stared out of it in even if there's a few of you- "who are the blow-ins" type thing, so I wouldn't go to those pubs on my own.

I wouldn't like to go drinking on my own anyway though- as in for more than 2 or 3 drinks- I don't really see the point, it's supposed to be a social thing, and besides, drink or no drink I definitely don't have the balls to strike up a conversation with a randomer without the safety net of some friends around to rescue me if it all goes horribly wrong!

old hippy

Babybuff wrote: »

Snaps, decided to have a beer tonight after work and went on my own..and met someone very interesting in the smoking area..

does little girly dance

That's one of the things I so miss about Dublin

Ickle Magoo

Caraville wrote: »

I suppose it would just depend on the pub. Some pubs would be grand to sit in, especially with a book or magazine and a drink, but there are pubs where you get stared out of it in even if there's a few of you- "who are the blow-ins" type thing, so I wouldn't go to those pubs on my own.

Perhaps it's because I've lived and worked in some totty little places and I've worked in some pretty hectic bars but I love those kind of pubs - and I love getting chatting to the locals and working out the dynamics of the place.

In answer to the question, yes, I would and do go to pubs by myself - I've lived in places where the pub was the social hub of the island/village and spent most of my student days working in pubs and clubs, so I don't find them intimidating and I'm quite comfortable striking up a conversation or asking someone for a game of darts or pool...or just relax, sip my drink and people watch.

py2006

I can understand why some women would feel uncomfortable going to a pub on their own. I think its an Irish thing though. When I was in NY last year there were lots of women sitting at the bar own the own sipping a glass of wine.

There is nothing nicer than a quite mid-afternoon or early evening drink on your own with the paper or a book.

Being honest, as a man, I do take a second glance when I see a women in a bar on her own but purely because it is unusual. After that, I disappear into my own book.

However, the feeling uncomfortable on your own extends to men too, it depends on the pub and the day. Quite suburban pubs are fine but Temple Bar on a Sat night would be a no no.

Caraville

py2006 wrote: »

There is nothing nicer than a quite mid-afternoon or early evening drink on your own with the paper or a book.

However, the feeling uncomfortable on your own extends to men too, it depends on the pub and the day. Quite suburban pubs are fine but Temple Bar on a Sat night would be a no no.

Actually yeah I think time of day issues are relevant in all this- well, for me anyway. A mid afternoon or early evening tipple alone would be ok for me but later at night not so much.

Also, I think I would be more likely to go into a place on my own where people are less likely to know me, whereas if I did that in a bar in my home town, once people asked whereabouts I am from they would probably know my parents or family immediately and I would feel a bit self conscious then. I'm from a pretty big town but there seems to be no more than two degrees of separation between anyone!

Babybuff

old hippy wrote: »

That's one of the things I so miss about Dublin

I'm not even in Dublin not sure I would have the neck to do it there, unless of course it was my hometown and I knew where I was at. I kinda feel safe enough in my regular, there's a handful of people who have a coffee after work there so I wouldn't feel intimidated going there alone as I'd always know someone. It just happened to be one of those nights Wednesday and there were a few new people around and things got interesting. Best part of it is that they now know where we all go after work so the chances are good for bumping into each other again.
*we hopes

KittyeeTrix

Currently in the Skeff pub in Galway alone waiting for the train home.... Mmmmmm..........Budweiser!!:D

Mrs Garth Brooks

I have but it was during the day, i wouldn't do it at night time with a full pub. Though most pubs are fairly quite in the evenings, im not sure about weekends.
My reason was that it had wifi and i needed the internet. It made things easier that they served food also, so i was fine drinking tea. I would probably get some strange looks if i sat down with a pint and nothing else to occupy myself.

chirogirl

I've been in the pub on my own a good few times, but its usually at tea-time, when I can get a meal. I like my own company, have travelled around the world solo and even had a baby on my own last summer. So, now I take the baby in the pub with me

carolinespring

I have gone into a put on my own when I wanted to have a sandwich or something to eat and would have had a glass of wine. Would just have taken a book with me.

Also have no issue with arriving before a friend and sitting down alone with a drink but would not go out for a couple of drinks on my own in the evening. Nothing wrong with it but don't drink a lot so just would not do it. When I lived in Dublin used to the very odd time walk down to Gleeson's in Booterstown on a sunday afternoon, have a beer and read the paper for a half hour, so I have done it and felt fine about it.

I have no problem with my own company and go shopping, walking , for lunch on my own. In fact really enjoy shopping on my own.

old hippy

fluffyorganic1 wrote: »

Currently in the Skeff pub in Galway alone waiting for the train home.... Mmmmmm..........Budweiser!!:D

Thumbs aloft but... but... Budweiser? :eek:

Wompa1

I have gone out a few times alone. Made friends every time, unfortunately twice one of the girls in the groups I met tried it on with me and I had a g/f at the time...nothing happened but I've kind of learned that at the moment it's very difficult to be perceived as just out for fun....thought the same in Australia...seemed everything was sexual with people..shame because I'm kind of over that stage of my life.

That awkward moment when you notice all the group left you and one girl alone...yikes!

Dudess

Would during the day for food and a drink or two, that's all.

BraziliaNZ

I don't normally comment in this female only forum but this thread caught my eye.
I think it's kind of frowned upon or considered very unusual in Ireland for a woman to be in a pub alone drinking, unless you're some mad aulone or geriatric widow type, they certainly have those in my locals at home. It's certainly more common here in London but not that prevelant. I spent time in the States a few times, most recently with work, and it's certainly nothing unusual there. I was in the same position, on business, and every night at the bar there would be women on their own going for a beer and a chat as they happened to be in town on business or for whatever reason.
The difference is is that over there they'll make an effort to chat to the person next to them. I think our pubs aren't quiet as friendly as we think they are in Ireland, I've been going to the same ones back home since I was 15 and the barstaff don't know my name or even say hello. My local here, I can even get credit, get stuck in lock ins till all hours, and know all the people by name who drink there regularly.
So in conclusion, unfortunately Ireland probably isn't the best place for dames to be drinking alone in bars, as we're a bit judgemental about it imo.

MissFlitworth

I wouldn't be interested in going out for the night by myself because the fun of going out for the night for me is hanging out with people and I am awful at starting up conversations with strangers. If I fancy a glass of wine/fancy beer by myself or to chill out with my book I've no problem heading into a pub for a couple of hours. They generally have nice comfy benches to sit on

Was just trying to think of why I never really seem to find myself in a pub alone and I think it generally boils down it it just being a lot more affordable to have said glass of wine or fancy beer sitting on my couch.

memind

Pub on your own???? not sure as I've never done it! Why would you go alone anyway????

Honey-ec

memind wrote: »

Pub on your own???? not sure as I've never done it! Why would you go alone anyway????

For all the reasons stated in the first four pages of the thread.

borderlinemeath

I've never done it, but I don't really drink.

I have gone on holidays alone, eaten in restaurants alone and other such things.

I remember a few years back I was working over Christmas but flying to the US on New Years Eve to meet up with family and some of my (mainly female) work collegues were shocked that I would fly long haul alone:eek: and with a connecting flight in the middle of it. Then again some of them used to make a big deal about driving up to Dublin.

chickenbutt

borderlinemeath wrote: »

I remember a few years back I was working over Christmas but flying to the US on New Years Eve to meet up with family and some of my (mainly female) work collegues were shocked that I would fly long haul alone:eek: and with a connecting flight in the middle of it. Then again some of them used to make a big deal about driving up to Dublin.

What?! I often fly alone and sometimes even sleep in the airport alone! Never had anyone say anything, or if they did, it was more in awe I guess. There's loads of people who do it alone... Wonder if it's just the whole stigma of being a woman and needing someone else for safety? Silly people, airports are very safe

borderlinemeath

chickenbutt wrote: »

What?! I often fly alone and sometimes even sleep in the airport alone! Never had anyone say anything, or if they did, it was more in awe I guess. There's loads of people who do it alone... Wonder if it's just the whole stigma of being a woman and needing someone else for safety? Silly people, airports are very safe

I don't know, whether it was a perception of flying to the states or that it was a long haul 1 stop flight that flustered them. A couple of them were the same age as me but married since their early twenties so had no comprehension of doing things by themselves. As I said, a trip up to Dublin was another thing that was 'a big deal"

It's so much easier travelling alone, when I travel with my OH he drives me mad

"where's my passport"
"I can't find my boarding pass"

and every time, EVERY TIME! The bag search usually because of a bottle of shower gel or hair gel. I don't want to get all Irish Mammy on him and pack his bag but he never learns!

memind

coffeeandshoes wrote: »

The fantastic thing about not knowing anyone in Dublin is that I know for sure no one will recognize me lol! Large glass of vino for one? Yes please xx

It won't be long before you get to know people in Dublin, I've lived here too long and cant go anywhere without meeting someone I know...... ah the bliss of being anonymous????