British pubs

British pubs

Pubs, short for “public houses”, are very popular in Britain and represent a real institution of British society. They sell a range of alcoholic drinks, especially beers, but also low-alcohol and soft drinks.
Going to the pubs is really the most popular social activity in Great Britain. People often choose a public house near where they live and go there several times a week.
Here, while drinking, you can talk with your friends about politics, football, you can eat crisps and nuts and gossip, you can listen to music and, if you like, play games such as dominoes, cards, darts, or billiards. Some pubs have television in the bars and show sports games.
Pubs are a really old institution; in the past women and young people under sixteen weren't allowed in public houses but, in recent years, because of deep social changes, many families go to the pub to enjoy tasty meals in a relaxing atmosphere, especially in rural areas.
Moreover, a lot of employees spend their break-time in a public house eating a sandwich and drinking a pint of beer. By the way hundreds of different beers are served in a pub, from strong to light ones, but if you are under eighteen, you cannot buy them.

The first wine shops were called taverns (from Latin taberna), later public houses. The term pub appeared in 1859.