Is it normal to go to a pub alone as a woman ?

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Sufficient-Owl1826@reddit

Yeah honestly it’s way more normal than it feels in your head at first.

I started doing little solo outings like that and now I kinda love it, especially sitting outside with a drink and just people-watching. Feels weird for like 10 minutes then you settle in.

Do you have a favorite kind of pub vibe you’re thinking of?

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Depends on pub. Most of them it is perfectly fine especially for lunch. I've gone to pubs for lunch and early dinner when travelling. Touristy or office areas are going to be fine. Even most Wetherspoons.

However, there have been a handful of very rural pubs where it was frowned upon to the extent you called for a man to walk you in. I drank in one as my local and not another nearby. It also had the common room for the lads and the snug for the ladies. So if you are not accepted, it's likely not you. It is just that pub and there seem much rarer now.

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tmr89@reddit

Mom said it’s my turn to post this next week!

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GrabbedByTheGhost@reddit

It's not normal but that doesn't mean it's bad.

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smellyfeet25@reddit

Do what you like. if you want to have a meal or a drink then go for it. No public place should be off bounds to you

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Anon_on_internet@reddit

I was doing that (going into pubs alone for lunch) back in the 80s when my job often took me out & about all day. I always had a book or newspaper with me.

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Soniq268@reddit

I love going out alone! I take my book and chill with a glass of wine, bliss!

I travel a lot for work so I’m used to having to entertain myself in the evenings, I go to London and Belfast once a month for work, I have my ‘first night routine’ for each city, go to my fave restaurant/bar with a book and chill out. Night 2 I’m always out with colleagues so my little night 1 ritual is sacred.

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josh5676543@reddit

Yes go have fun

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rachaelg666@reddit

Woman in my 40s here! Go to the pub alone all the time. Glass of wine and my book. Pint before I meet a friend. Dinner when I’m working away from home and staying in a crap hotel.

Def think you have a sense when you walk in if it’s a locals pub where you might get a few raised eyebrows, but I’ve never had any issues in my many years of solo pub visiting! If in doubt, always take a book!

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vajaxle@reddit

Yeah it's only old men that have ever passed a comment. Such as I shouldn't be drinking pints or I shouldn't be sitting alone. Just old fashioned. I'm in my 40s now too and I've left the family at home to go on solo holidays a couple of times! It's GREAT.

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rachaelg666@reddit

I’m old enough to remember asking for a Kronenburg (probably, it was the 90s) and them just giving you a half pint, because they assumed a woman wouldn’t want a pint!

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cold_tap_hot_brew@reddit

Once you start going solo you will notice that there are others, they just tend to be really good at hiding in plain sight so they get peace.

Take a book, you’ll be fine. If folk bother you, go to the bar - bar staff are used to some folk being kinda annoying, they’ll usually have your back.

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ButtercupBento@reddit

I go alone or with my dog and a book is essential. It helps people leave you in peace and it also acts as a great subterfuge when people watching

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worotan@reddit

You don’t need to disguise people watching, though.

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cold_tap_hot_brew@reddit

I think this might be location specific. Hustle and bustle of a busy city bar? Sure. Sitting in a quiet rural pub with 5 other people total… probably gonna want a book to peer at. :)

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Ok-Blackberry-3534@reddit

I dunno. I see a dog, I want to make friends with that dog.

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Slnslayency@reddit

The last time I went to a pub alone (about 2017), I was harassed both while I was being served at the bar, by two old men who made a scene of doubting the legitimacy my ID when I presented it to the bartender, (it was real), and then again, by another man, when I sat a table to read a book. Never wanted to do it again.

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fergie_89@reddit

Yes it is.

I occasionally do this and will sit and enjoy my drink while watching the world go by.

Going to the lakes next weekend and my husband has planned a walk. I just said enjoy and I'll text you which pub I end up in.

However I understand the hesitation which is natural. But go in there, enjoy your food and make the most of it. Life is for living not for hesitation and regrets!

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PaleozoicQueen@reddit

I go to pubs, nightclubs and raves solo all the time...

I don't give two shits really if it is normal or not, life is too short to not do what I want for fear of what others may think.

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idlewildgirl@reddit

I do it all the time, if anyone has an issue that is their problem.

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clickyclicky456@reddit

I (a woman) do it two or three times a year and never even thought twice about it!

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ExultentPisces@reddit

Going to the pub alone as a woman is a bit unusual if you’re a man. I’m sure some fellas do it though.

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Gornal-Annie6133@reddit

I go for pub lunches on my own, frequently. My local does the most amazing ham salad and cheese and onion cobs. I enjoy one of these with a cafetière of coffee, whilst sitting in the beer garden or by the fire in the colder weather. No issues as a lone female and I chat to staff and other customers and sometimes the brewers (micro brewery).

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JukeboxTears@reddit

I’m a woman and I’ve been going to pubs alone for decades and i don’t I tend to stop anytime soon. Go for it.

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Strong_Roll5639@reddit

I do it and never had any issues. I love a sunny pint on my own!

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cankennykencan@reddit

As others have said not that it matters anyway but take a book and leave it on the table. No one will bat an eyelid

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Whitelakebrazen@reddit

Totally fine, I've done it before. I travel solo and do drinks and dinner alone often - I just bring a book and read!

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Veenkoira00@reddit

Perfectly normal as in general. But there may be pubs, where it's not. All pubs have their own vibe and regular crowd.

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Trequartista7777@reddit

Sounds like you have some good pubs nearby, perfectly normal to go for lunch by yourself, take a book with you and enjoy

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Obvious-Water569@reddit

Absolutely.

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atomic_mermaid@reddit

Maybe it's cause I used to work in a pub but no, it's not weird in the slightest. I find it a bit weird you think it's weird tbh! Go and have a nice lunch in a beer garden and enjoy the sun.

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flyingfresian@reddit

I don't go regularly either, but I don't find that I feel out of place in a lot of pubs as a woman if I'm in myself.

I usually bring a book or a craft project - the latter does mean more people talk to you though, as a surprising number of folk haven't seen someone cross-stitching in the wild!

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doctorbiffgood@reddit

Why the fuck not?!

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Gent415@reddit

I think during the daytime, particularly if you're having a meal, no-one would bat an eyelid. Unfortunately later in the evening, as the alcohol flows, some men might see a lone woman as a target for flirtation etc. But even then, if it's a quieter pub when decent staff I'd hope it wouldn't be too much.

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KingKhram@reddit

I worked in a pub for many years and loads of people went in by themselves, it's very common

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BiasTap@reddit

I don't sit by myself very long if I'm on your own. I usually end up with folk to talk to.

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bullette1610@reddit

Yep, I (a woman) happily go regularly on my own to the pub. Sometimes I am up for a chat with the other regulars, sometimes I like to just sit by myself with some work or whatever.

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sanddancer08@reddit

Go for it!

50s woman here: I completely agree being alone in pubs is outside our usual comfort zones. But after you've done it once or twice you'll not give it a second thought.

Take a book or something to occupy/distract you if you want.

Seriously. Do it. You'll be pleased you did. And it's nowhere near as scary as your mind is probably telling you.

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YouCantArgueWithThis@reddit

It should be normal. Try it.

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rocketscientology@reddit

Woman in my early 30s who does this occasionally - bring a book or laptop and you’ll be fine. I’ve never had a problem or felt unsafe.

I can’t guarantee that people won’t come up and strike up a conversation - although I actually find this is more likely to be other women who assume you’re lonely or have been stood up, rather than men trying to hit on you. But I’ve always managed to escape with a polite bit of small talk and then pointedly turning back to my book.

Honestly the only annoying thing is needing a wee and not wanting to get up and leave your drink unattended or lose your seat - I just go in between pints, take anything valuable with me and leave my book and an empty glass on the table to show someone’s sitting there. It’s always worked fine.

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Arny2103@reddit

I wouldn't bat an eyelid but I get the hesitation.

I'm a guy and I remember the first time I went to the pub alone. There was something about sitting outside that made the whole thing less uncomfortable.

Go for it! As you say, the weather's there to be enjoyed and what better way than with a pub lunch?

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