Would you expect a pint of water to be free in a pub?

rubadub · 30-10-2013 10:33AM

Rabies wrote: »

Yup, good little law too, and I work in the bar trade here.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10733286

what law??
Your link clearly explains that its not the law.

Hospitality Association chief executive Bruce Robertson said that although it was not a legal requirement for bars to supply water free, it was good practice to do so.

Rabies · 30-10-2013 10:37AM

rubadub wrote: »

what law??
Your link clearly explains that its not the law.

True. Missed that

Must be a policy.
It is a condition of the licence for a bar though. Bars can be fined for not giving it free.

listermint · 30-10-2013 10:47AM

Ive paid enough money into the coffers of the pubs in this city over my years, If i wish to sit one night and just drink tap water then so be it.

Chances are my mates wouldnt be there if i wasnt there so im delivering business to them.

fk that if you think im paying for water, bunch of chancers.

LordSutch · 30-10-2013 10:48AM

Hello_MrFox wrote: »

Would you expect a pint of water to be free in a pub?

Tap water, most definately 'YES'
Bottled water = they can charge what they like.

I actually got a free pint of orange squash recently in a Dublin pub, and when I offered some money she said its alright, sure its mostly water.

anto3473 · 30-10-2013 10:50AM

Having trouble dealing with the idea that some places expect you to pay for cordial, or a dash of mixer with a shot let alone charging for tap water.

Any place that has enough contempt for their customers to charge for that is taking the piss and deserves to go out of business.

If I was charged for a dash I'd be annoyed, bitch about it, probably go somewhere else and never go back there again.
If I was asked to pay for a pint of MiWadi or tap water I'd never again go back there and take my profitable alcoholism to somewhere that appreciates customers.

I drink enough. I pay too much as it is in most places.

the groutch · 30-10-2013 11:03AM

People need to realise that pubs aren't a charity.
They will do what's best for business.
If they think it'll be more profitable for them in the long run to give water/cordials free they will, if they think it's more profitable for them to charge X price they'll do that.

LordSutch · 30-10-2013 11:07AM

the groutch wrote: »

People need to realise that pubs aren't a charity.
They will do what's best for business.
If they think it'll be more profitable for them in the long run to give water/cordials free they will, if they think it's more profitable for them to charge X price they'll do that.

For tap water

c_man · 30-10-2013 11:10AM

Charging for tap water :eek:

Sleepy wrote: »

Hell no, if a barman even charges you for a pint of cordial either he's a wanker, his boss is or it's a not too subtle way of saying that he thinks you're a tosser...

I used to hate charging for it, but if it's between me getting a bollicking or you forking over 50c... Would only do it when the boss was around anyways.

munchkin_utd · 30-10-2013 11:12AM

to be honest, if buying a drink or 2 I'd expect nobody to charge me for a water to go along with it, whether its for me in an attempt to fend off a possible hangover the next day or for the kids who havent learnt yet what soft drinks are (they think its a beer type thing that daddy drinks which is only for adults!).

Cienciano · 30-10-2013 11:18AM

I'd never pay for water in a pub. But I'd also never just walk in and ask for a glass of water and nothing else.

Gongoozler wrote: »

Carluchios in Dublin are very clever with this. They ask if you'd like some water for the table, and then when you say yes give you a premium bottle of mineral water. Cnuts

I'd tell him to take it back and give me tap water

Conmaicne Mara · 30-10-2013 11:56AM

Hello_MrFox wrote: »

If you order a pint of water, do you expect to have to pay for it, if so how much?

I wouldn't think it'd be free. Staff have to take your order, go get it and return it to you. Then after they clean up and the glass gets washed. That's time and money on the pub side.

I don't know how much that would be costed at.

loveBBhate · 30-10-2013 12:02PM

nm wrote: »

What

Don't be jealous x

loveBBhate · 30-10-2013 12:02PM

Cycling Dumbasses wrote: »

Couldnt agree more.

Don't be jealous x

30-10-2013 12:02PM

I've started drinking water between some pints and if was ever asked to pay for a glass, I'd walk out.

rubadub · 30-10-2013 12:09PM

Rabies wrote: »

True. Missed that
Must be a policy.
It is a condition of the licence for a bar though. Bars can be fined for not giving it free.

I doubt they can be fined, can you find any instance of this happening, or any reference saying they can be fined=. Sounds like more bloke/lawyer in the pub invented laws that people think should be in place.

anto3473 wrote: »

Having trouble dealing with the idea that some places expect you to pay for cordial, or a dash of mixer with a shot let alone charging for tap water.

I drink enough. I pay too much as it is in most places.

This is pretty irrational, you are willing to pay well over the odds for some glasses of liquid, but not others, they are treated completely differently, even though the bulk of the overhead costs are the same.

I think most mainstream beers are under €2 to the publican in kegs. If they are charging 5.50 then it makes sense that the same service/experience minus the expense of that one ingredient could be €3.50. People just don't recognize a good deal when they see it, bars give out free water and people do not appreciate it, some are so self righteous about it that they actually convince themselves it must be, or should be law.

Rod Serling · 30-10-2013 12:42PM

I've started getting the odd pint of water between my drinks now, helps me not get too messy. Friends have always done it.
Never seen any of them charged and I've never been. If they tried to charge me I'd tell them to keep it.

[-0-] · 30-10-2013 12:51PM

Tap water with ice and lemon is free in the states.

canadianwoman · 30-10-2013 12:53PM

[-0-] wrote: »

Tap water with ice and lemon is free in the states.

Canada too!

30-10-2013 12:55PM

rubadub wrote: »

I doubt they can be fined, can you find any instance of this happening, or any reference saying they can be fined=. Sounds like more bloke/lawyer in the pub invented laws that people think should be in place.

This is pretty irrational, you are willing to pay well over the odds for some glasses of liquid, but not others, they are treated completely differently, even though the bulk of the overhead costs are the same.

I think most mainstream beers are under €2 to the publican in kegs. If they are charging 5.50 then it makes sense that the same service/experience minus the expense of that one ingredient could be €3.50. People just don't recognize a good deal when they see it, bars give out free water and people do not appreciate it, some are so self righteous about it that they actually convince themselves it must be, or should be law.

Except you're completely ignoring tax amongst other things.

rubadub · 30-10-2013 12:59PM

[-0-] wrote: »

Tap water with ice and lemon is free in the states.

canadianwoman wrote: »

Canada too!

You mean its usually free, just like it is usually given free here, and very much under appreciated judging by the posts here. Just want to make this clear as your statement could be picked up as meaning it is legally obliged to be given free.

USA
http://responsibility-project.libertymutual.com/blog/restaurants-introduce-tap-water-surcharges

“Upselling” bottled water in restaurants isn’t a new concept – restaurants have been raising their profit margins this way for years. But the idea of charging diners for filtered tap water is causing a flap. The trend first surfaced among restaurants in New York and San Francisco; New York Magazine offered a guide back in 2008 to New York’s “sustainability surcharge.” But restaurants in cities like Las Vegas and Washington, D.C. are catching on to the water surcharge, and new cost hasn’t gone without notice.

Canada
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/the-hot-button/would-you-pay-5-for-house-filtered-tap-water-this-restaurant-hopes-so/article620266/

It’s getting harder and harder to order a bottle of imported water in Canadian restaurants. Canyon Creek, the eight-location casual chophouse chain based in Southern Ontario, announced yesterday that it’s taken pre-bottled water off its menus and will now offer house-filtered bottles instead. But in a catch that will no doubt rile at least a few of its guests, the company will now charge $5 per bottle for the filtered stuff.

Princess Peach · 30-10-2013 01:01PM

Sleepy wrote: »

Hell no, if a barman even charges you for a pint of cordial either he's a wanker, his boss is or it's a not too subtle way of saying that he thinks you're a tosser...

Was in a pub before, pint of water with some cordial €3! Served by the boss himself too!

rubadub · 30-10-2013 01:04PM

AdamD wrote: »

Except you're completely ignoring tax amongst other things.

So Mr. ExactoPedant, would you like to estimate better figures then?. I am 100% confident that my point will still stand whatever you come up with.

Most of the whingers are ignoring the elephant in the room, the direct comparison to other similar liquids on sale.

rubadub · 30-10-2013 01:06PM

Princess Peach wrote: »

Was in a pub before, pint of water with some cordial €3! Served by the boss himself too!

Pint of scheweppes lemonade in my local is over €13

awec · 30-10-2013 01:08PM

Depends if you're taking the piss or not.

If you just walk in off the street, sit down and start ordering water on your own then I'd imagine you'd be asked to pay on the basis of being tight.

If you've had a few drinks, and want a water before heading home I'd expect it to be free. If you're ordering 3 beers and 1 water then I'd expect it to be free. Or if you've ordered food, I'd expect it to be free.

canadianwoman · 30-10-2013 01:13PM

rubadub wrote: »

You mean its usually free, just like it is usually given free here, and very much under appreciated judging by the posts here. Just want to make this clear as your statement could be picked up as meaning it is legally obliged to be given free.

It's always free here. You just sit down at the table and the waiter or waitress brings the water. You never have to ask for it and when that glass is empty they bring another. It's like magic.

SparkySpitfire · 30-10-2013 01:14PM

Victor wrote: »

If they insist in charging for water, just bring the matter up at the next licensing court.

Ooh that's smart. Mwahaha

Billy86 · 30-10-2013 01:25PM

rubadub wrote: »

You mean its usually free, just like it is usually given free here, and very much under appreciated judging by the posts here. Just want to make this clear as your statement could be picked up as meaning it is legally obliged to be given free.

USA
http://responsibility-project.libertymutual.com/blog/restaurants-introduce-tap-water-surcharges

Canada
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/the-hot-button/would-you-pay-5-for-house-filtered-tap-water-this-restaurant-hopes-so/article620266/

In Australia it is free by law as a requirement of the RSA (Responsible Service of Alcohol) body in NSW at least, and is typically left on the bar in pitchers with plastic 'throw-away' cups.

Billy86 · 30-10-2013 01:38PM

Rabies wrote: »

http://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/EN/licencesregulations/liquor/Pages/bearesponsiblehost.aspx

We have what is called Host Responsibility.

Failure to comply with this opens you up to large fines possible suspension or loss of your or the bar's licence for a period of time.

It's actually a really good set up, if it is like the ones in Australia as well - rather than fines (which they do also implement), after a while clubs lose the ability to do things like serve shots or doubles after 10pm (their nightlife starts earlier their, mind). Get caught breaking those rules and you get mega-fines, or even temporarily closed down.

Gongoozler wrote: »

Carluchios in Dublin are very clever with this. They ask if you'd like some water for the table, and then when you say yes give you a premium bottle of mineral water. Cnuts

Really? I was in there only last week and we weren't charged for the water and there was no 'premium' bottle of water mentioned.

baker59 · 30-10-2013 01:52PM

Worked in a bar in Paris. It's illegal to refuse someone (even someone rough who just walked in the door) a glass of tap water. Now if they sat down and took their time over it, that's something different.

Was in Dublin last year in Kehoes and I was driving. Had a pint in the first round but then switched to blackcurrant and water. The barman didn't charge me but I didn't take it for granted. It was appreciated.

rubadub · 30-10-2013 01:58PM

canadianwoman wrote: »

It's always free here.

I just posted about a place that charges in canada...

baker59 wrote: »

Worked in a bar in Paris. It's illegal to refuse someone (even someone rough who just walked in the door) a glass of tap water. Now if they sat down and took their time over it, that's something different.

This guy claims they can put a sign up.

And there is a law in France that notes that a café has to give anyone a free carafe of water, or free glass of water (at the bar) to anyone who asks, unless there is a sign posted somewhere that says that they don’t do that.

(After ten years of living in France, I’ve only seen one café – out in the countryside – with a sign like that. But I’ve also – in ten years of living in France – never tried going up to a café counter and asking for a free glass of water without buying something else.)

http://www.davidlebovitz.com/2013/02/water-eau-paris/

Would you expect a pint of water to be free in a pub?

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