When did "12 Pubs Of Christmas" become popular?

The Scientician · 09-12-2015 03:50PM #1

I recall first hearing about it from some corporate, working in bank type friends around about the year 2000. They acted as if it was a normal, traditional thing to do. In the years since it seems to have sky rocketed in popularity but I am really curious how old a tradition it is? Does it owe its origins to the Celtic Tiger years?

Bonus question: Is it done in other countries?

me_irl · 09-12-2015 03:52PM

Idiocy + repetition = tradition.

smash · 09-12-2015 03:52PM

It was always a thing. But now you have to wear a Christmas jumper.

Kylo Ren · 09-12-2015 03:53PM

It became very popular around Christmas time.

c_man · 09-12-2015 03:54PM

I did my first one in 2003. Seem to remember it was "well known" at the time. Good craic.

MLC_biker · 09-12-2015 03:58PM

More Dublin pubs join the ban ... http://www.irishmirror.ie/whats-on/bah-humbug-therell-no-room-6971228

brevity · 09-12-2015 03:59PM

I like the 12 pubs thing, although these days its more like "Lets just stay here, we have good seats"...

I hate the stupid ****ing "You can't say beer","You have to stand on one leg" rules and games thing though.

Gandhi · 09-12-2015 03:59PM

The Scientician wrote: »

Bonus question: Is it done in other countries?

I know guys who do it here (in the US). Though they call it "12 beers of Christmas" and it has to be a different beer in each pub.

09-12-2015 04:03PM

The Scientician wrote: »

I recall first hearing about it from some corporate, working in bank type friends around about the year 2000. They acted as if it was a normal, traditional thing to do. In the years since it seems to have sky rocketed in popularity but I am really curious how old a tradition it is? Does it owe its origins to the Celtic Tiger years?

Bonus question: Is it done in other countries?

Some say there is evidence that it predates Movember. But post dates Christmas jumpers. However, as the unfunny is great in all 3, historians lump them together.

smash · 09-12-2015 04:08PM

MLC_biker wrote: »

More Dublin pubs join the ban ... http://www.irishmirror.ie/whats-on/bah-humbug-therell-no-room-6971228

In a time when pubs are crying for customers and demanding minimum pricing for alcohol in shops and off-licences, this is such a dumb move.

Kerplunk124 · 09-12-2015 04:15PM

brevity wrote: »

although these days its more like "Lets just stay here, we have good seats"...

Indeed. Hate when people don't even play it properly

The_Valeyard · 09-12-2015 04:25PM

twelve pubs were created, so were the twelve pubs of Christmas.

valoren · 09-12-2015 04:34PM

I love the 12 pubs at Christmas. Makes my alcoholism look normal.

kfallon · 09-12-2015 04:37PM

smash wrote: »

It was always a thing. But now you have to wear a Christmas jumper and be a tit.

The Sidewards Man · 09-12-2015 04:40PM

There will be an explosion of them this year thanks to the rock and roll bonus.

The Backwards Man · 09-12-2015 04:43PM

The same time banter and getting blindo were created to annoy us regular pubgoers enjoying our quiet pint.

lertsnim · 09-12-2015 04:47PM

The sight of gob****es dressed up in Christmas jumpers roaring and shouting their rules having a mad time while not being able to handle the drink. Great craic altogether. The more pubs that ban them the merrier.

kylith · 09-12-2015 04:51PM

smash wrote: »

In a time when pubs are crying for customers and demanding minimum pricing for alcohol in shops and off-licences, this is such a dumb move.

I disagree. Pubs around Dublin don't seem to be struggling too much and any pubs known to ban the 12 Pubs drunkards will see a rise in punters.

09-12-2015 05:03PM

Deleted User wrote: »

Some say there is evidence that it predates Movember. But post dates Christmas jumpers. However, as the unfunny is great in all 3, historians lump them together.

There's also homogeneity regarding participants in these events.

Typically they are great craic, gas, and "here for a good time, not a long time"

smash · 09-12-2015 05:05PM

kylith wrote: »

I disagree. Pubs around Dublin don't seem to be struggling too much and any pubs known to ban the 12 Pubs drunkards will see a rise in punters.

Probably just a rise in 12 pub goers who aren't dressed like Christmas trees. :pac:

Diabhal Beag · 09-12-2015 07:25PM

Twelve pubs is a crucial tradition to the Irish pub trade. It makes the boring tit nursing the humble pint of Smithwicks appreciate the other 11 months of the year when he can drown his sorrows sans Barry getting sick all over himself at 8 in the evening and being proclaimed "king buzzer" by his fellow engineering students.

Zebra3 · 09-12-2015 08:18PM

Xmas jumpers.

12 pubs of Xmas.

Mongorific nonsense.

jamesbere · 09-12-2015 08:30PM

Its one of those things you'll do once and never do again, I use to be a fast drinker. I was having 2 pints in some pubs waiting for someone who's sipping there pint (you don't sip a pint).

Richard Hillman · 09-12-2015 09:00PM

I don't think it is a trendy thing anymore and hasn't been for 2-3 years. A lot of people are still doing it but a lot of people are still wearing sandals & socks or tucking their tracksuit bottoms into their socks.

cowboyjoe · 09-12-2015 09:08PM

The 12 pubs of Christmas was a great craic at first, but like most fads, the novelty (jumpers) wore off after a few years. Became popular mid 00's until the last year or two. No real talk of them anymore. Bit like the movember fad (not the charity part) and Christmas jumpers - they've have their day. Wonder what the next big fun event thing will be.