# How much does a pint cost in a British pub? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 18, 2013, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-a-pint-cost-in-a-british-pub/661276 "2013-06-18T15:25:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2013, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-a-pint-cost-in-a-british-pub/661276/21 "2013-06-19T17:40:21Z")
Way back in the 60s my mother and her friend ran a pub in Cornwall. As you might expect in the West country they sold draught (not draft) cider. It came in earthenware containers and it was kept in a cool place out of sight of the bar. When a customer offered to buy them a drink, and with two fairly attractive ladies behind the bar, this was fairly frequent, they would help themselves to a gin and cider. The gin would go in a 12oz glass and then out to the back for the cider. As you can imagine, gin and cider is a pretty lethal combination, but the two ladies would stay upright and coherent throughout the evening. What they actually did was to pour the gin into a bottle before adding the cider, so they were paid for gin they did not drink. ---
**Author:** ![HotDogWater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/35a633/32.png) [@HotDogWater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HotDogWater)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2013, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-a-pint-cost-in-a-british-pub/661276/22 "2013-06-19T20:00:07Z")
Thanks for the “tips” folks! I’m going to tell my tourists that they should anticipate paying up to 4 pounds for a pint, and to stifle the american instinct to tip every time. FWIW, here in MA the minimun wage for bartenders and wait staff if $2.80. They live on tips here, so we always tip at least $1/beer/round. By the way, how do you make the keyboard type the pound symbol? I’m sure I’ll be using that frequently in the next 6 weeks 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![RobDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f07891/32.png) [@RobDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RobDog)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2013, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-a-pint-cost-in-a-british-pub/661276/23 "2013-06-19T20:12:21Z")
> [@HotDogWater](#): > > Thanks for the “tips” folks! I’m going to tell my tourists that they should anticipate paying up to 4 pounds for a pint, and to stifle the american instinct to tip every time. > > FWIW, here in MA the minimun wage for bartenders and wait staff if $2.80. They live on tips here, so we always tip at least $1/beer/round. > > By the way, how do you make the keyboard type the pound symbol? I’m sure I’ll be using that frequently in the next 6 weeks 🙂 Assuming you’re using a Windows PC, try holding down your Alt key and typing 156 (on the numeric keypad on the right of your keyboard). £ ^ Look, I just did it 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2013, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-a-pint-cost-in-a-british-pub/661276/24 "2013-06-19T20:16:16Z")
> [@HotDogWater](#): > > By the way, how do you make the keyboard type the pound symbol? I’m sure I’ll be using that frequently in the next 6 weeks 🙂 On a US keyboard in Windows \ + \ + 4, or \ + \ + \ + 4 if you don’t have an AltGr key ---
**Author:** ![HotDogWater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/35a633/32.png) [@HotDogWater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HotDogWater)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2013, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-a-pint-cost-in-a-british-pub/661276/25 "2013-06-19T21:44:50Z")
alt + 156 = £! Thanks **RobDog!** **Baron Greenback** yours did not work for me ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2013, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-a-pint-cost-in-a-british-pub/661276/26 "2013-06-19T22:49:34Z")
> [@HotDogWater](#): > > **Baron Greenback** yours did not work for me ☹ That was for a US-International keyboard right enough. It seems not to be amazingly straightforward. Anyway, fancy doing a running commentary thread/ trip report when you get over here? Sounds like you are going to have a blast! ---
**Author:** ![alsoknownas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ba9def/32.png) [@alsoknownas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alsoknownas)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2013, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-a-pint-cost-in-a-british-pub/661276/27 "2013-06-20T00:32:09Z")
The price of a beer in London is about 4UKP on average (with much variation between pubs). Outside London, and particularly in the north of the country the price drops a fair bit. You can indeed order a half pint if you wish. I don’t know how common this is in the states, but most pubs will allow you to taste an ale for free - that is they will pour you a small amount for you to check out before you commit to buying. You won’t get away with this for a lager though, so learn the difference if you don’t already know! ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2013, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-a-pint-cost-in-a-british-pub/661276/28 "2013-06-20T00:37:12Z")
Do they (still) call bartenders “curates?” ---
**Author:** ![stui\_magpie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stui_magpie/32/11010_2.png) [@stui\_magpie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stui_magpie)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2013, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-a-pint-cost-in-a-british-pub/661276/29 "2013-06-20T01:05:57Z")
> [@HotDogWater](#): > > Thanks for the “tips” folks! I’m going to tell my tourists that they should anticipate paying up to 4 pounds for a pint, and to stifle the american instinct to tip every time. > > FWIW, \*\*here in MA the minimun wage for bartenders and wait staff if $2.80. \*\*They live on tips here, so we always tip at least $1/beer/round. > > By the way, how do you make the keyboard type the pound symbol? I’m sure I’ll be using that frequently in the next 6 weeks 🙂 :eek: Seriously? WTF? $2.80 per hour is a wage? ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2013, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-a-pint-cost-in-a-british-pub/661276/30 "2013-06-20T01:28:58Z")
> [@stui\_magpie](#): > > :eek: Seriously? WTF? $2.80 per hour is a wage? Good bar on a Friday night, tips can be $100 an hour. ---
**Author:** ![stui\_magpie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stui_magpie/32/11010_2.png) [@stui\_magpie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stui_magpie)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2013, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-a-pint-cost-in-a-british-pub/661276/31 "2013-06-20T01:36:50Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Good bar on a Friday night, tips can be $100 an hour. With minimum wages like that I’m seeing why tipping is expected. i just checked the Hospitality award and the rate for basic bar staff here is $21.32 per hour. But we don’t (or at least rarely) tip for drinks. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2013, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-a-pint-cost-in-a-british-pub/661276/32 "2013-06-20T01:46:15Z")
> [@stui\_magpie](#): > > With minimum wages like that I’m seeing why tipping is expected. > > i just checked the Hospitality award and the rate for basic bar staff here is $21.32 per hour. But we don’t (or at least rarely) tip for drinks. I love the idea of tipping. As long as service is good, I overtip a bit. When things get hectic, I’m never thirsty. If the bartender has an accidental pour of a beer she knows I like, it finds its way to me. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2013, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-a-pint-cost-in-a-british-pub/661276/33 "2013-06-20T03:12:06Z")
> [@stui\_magpie](#): > > :eek: Seriously? WTF? $2.80 per hour is a wage? No. The minimum wage in Massachusetts is $8 an hour. Employers in certain fields are allowed to count tips as part of that, but they can’t apply so much in tips that the part _they_ pay out of their money goes below $2.63 an hour. If you work 40 hours in a week in Massachusetts, you have to get paid at least $320. If you get tips, you still have to get paid at least $320 total, _and_ you have to get at least $105.20 from your employer. You get the $105.20 even if you make $1000 in tips, and you’re supposed to get $320 total even if you make $0 in tips. (The employer can only count the tips you _actually got in real life and got to take home with you_, which is something many employers seem to misunderstand, probably deliberately.) ---
**Author:** ![stui\_magpie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stui_magpie/32/11010_2.png) [@stui\_magpie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stui_magpie)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2013, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-a-pint-cost-in-a-british-pub/661276/34 "2013-06-20T04:04:50Z")
^ Wow, that seems to me to be an incredibly complicated system. I’ve been planning to visit the US later this year or early next year, I’m going to def have to keep in mind how little some of these people earn in base rate when I’m trying to remember to tip. ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2013, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-a-pint-cost-in-a-british-pub/661276/35 "2013-06-20T04:35:33Z")
> [@stui\_magpie](#): > > Wow, that seems to me to be an incredibly complicated system. Yep. If I understand right, it also means that when people say “You should tip because bar staff only earn $2.80 without tips” they are mistaken. They earn 3x that even if they have zero tips. (Still not a great wage, but it is relevant to the various debates we’ve had about this on the Dope) ---
**Author:** ![HotDogWater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/35a633/32.png) [@HotDogWater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HotDogWater)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2013, 11:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-a-pint-cost-in-a-british-pub/661276/36 "2013-06-20T11:33:24Z")
**Baron Greenback** I will attempt the running commentary thread…but I make no promises. I’ve been on, and hosted, many rugby tours. Between the matches, the booze, the courts and the travel it’s a bit hard to stay on task 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2013, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-a-pint-cost-in-a-british-pub/661276/37 "2013-06-20T19:44:13Z")
What sort of tip is expected in the UK for a single plum, floating in perfume, served in a man’s hat?: [- YouTube](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRCY0BCEDjc) ---
**Author:** ![RobDog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f07891/32.png) [@RobDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RobDog)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2013, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-a-pint-cost-in-a-british-pub/661276/38 "2013-06-20T19:55:12Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > What sort of tip is expected in the UK for a single plum, floating in perfume, served in a man’s hat?: Thruppence ha’penny. Oh, unless it’s a fortnight after Whitsuntide, in which case, a monkey. Actually, a monkey’s excessive. Make that a pony. ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2013, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-a-pint-cost-in-a-british-pub/661276/39 "2013-06-22T18:15:39Z")
Are craft microbrews a thing in the UK? ---
**Author:** ![Filbert](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/filbert/32/3433_2.png) [@Filbert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Filbert)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2013, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-a-pint-cost-in-a-british-pub/661276/40 "2013-06-22T18:34:25Z")
> [@HeyHomie](#): > > Are craft microbrews a thing in the UK? Yup. There may not be any available at larger chain pubs, but any decent independant pub will stock a few ‘interesting’ beers (or ciders- and cider means alcoholic here). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-a-pint-cost-in-a-british-pub/661276.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-much-does-a-pint-cost-in-a-british-pub/661276.md?page=3)