Pubs in Britain- Cultural Differences between British Pubs and Japanese Ones

Ikeda Maiko

Kubo Nao

Matsuura Honami

    Do you like drinking? You might know Japanese “Izakaya,” and imagine that British pubs are same styles as that.  However, there are a lot of differences between them.  Our group investigated these differences by heading to a British pub. We propose three topics: drinking styles, the costs of drinks, amusement at pubs.

     Drinking Styles

     Firstly, what differences of styles are there between British pubs and Japanese ones. 

At Live Bar and Baby Diner in Old Street, there are many people sitting on the couches, and drinking on the tables.  They can buy their drinks at the bar.  The feature of this bar is that some small TVs are equipped on the pillars.  At first, we assumed that British people basically enjoy watching sports channels, and they are always standing on the floor on drinking.  However, this bar does not adapt those styles.  In general, Japanese people enjoy chiefly talking on drinking.  At this bar, British people are seemed to enjoy talking as well.  A pub staff at Live Bar and Baby Diner says that British bars basically adopt standing style, people have fun with watching sports, and there are crowded with a lot of people at 5pm to 10pm, so they open from 11am and close time is changed by days. Comparing to it, almost all Japanese bars open at 5pm and close on time.  Considering these facts, it can be revealed that Japanese people tend to drink after working, school, or something, while British people tend to drink as a pastime or a break time.  The pub staff says that British people drink much more than other countries.  That is why they start drinking so earlier time than Japan.

Pubs’ Systems

In Japan, people who want to drink go to “Izakaya”. It is the same as pubs in point of place where people are drinking, but their styles are very different.

First, when do they open? Generally speaking, “Izakaya” opens at 5 pm and closes at 1~5 am depending on each store and they invariably opens and closes on time. On the other hand, pubs in Britain open at 3 pm and close at 1~5 am depending on a day. So, nobody knows when a pub will close today. Also surprisingly, people in Britain drink in even the daytime.

Second, when do customers pay? In Japan, they pay at the end of drinking and eating, but in Britain, they must pay at first in exchange for a drink. If they want another drink, they can call a staff in Japan, while they have to go to a counter in Britain. However, in Britain, you can sit on anywhere you want and move to another seat whenever you want.

Finally, what do they drink? British people like beer more than Japanese. Pubs have many kinds of beers such as Bitter, Lager and Ale. You can say “Beer, please,” in Japan, but you can’t make yourself understood in Britain.

Why don’t you go to a pub and drink beer in the daytime? Remember pay in exchange for a drink!

Things to do in Pubs

Japanese often go to “Izakaya” at night with their friends, colleagues, family. As you know, a lot of Japanese enjoy drinking, just talking to each other in “Izakaya.” They prefer to know each other more deeply. Drinking alcohol makes them relax and open-mind. It is easier way to be close.

Japanese enjoy spending time with close people but do not speak to stranger in “Izakaya.”

Because they prefer staying with close people to going into a new world, they hardly speak to someone who sits on next to. We can see Japanese nationality in “Izakaya.”

How about Pub in Britain? What do you think about it?
In contrast, British is more freedom, in other words, they are individualism. It is typical type of British nationality and a big difference from that of Japanese. You can see British Individualism anywhere in Britain, especially in pub.

 In pub, British enjoy themselves so freely. You can find students enjoying watching football game, old lady drinking beer by herself, a cheerful young man talking to strangers and so on. It is no surprise if you are spoken to by a gentleman who is next to because here is Britain.

     To sum up, comparing to Japanese “Izakaya,” there are many curious differences at British pubs.  As for drinking styles, British people are standing when they are drinking though Japanese are sitting at the table.  In the cost system, British people pay money at every time they order drinks. On the other hand, almost all Japanese “Izakaya” adopt all-you-can-drink system and people pay money on leaving there.  Finally, in things to do at British pubs, people can watch football games on TV, and they often enjoy talking with strangers, but in Japan, they enjoy drinking only among close friends or companions.  Considering these facts, British pubs represent the very British cultures and personality of British people.  British pubs should have much more interesting features than we found, because we could be aware of such many differences within a few hours at Live Bar and Baby Diner.