Love from London: Why pubs still close at 11pm

Last year was supposed to reverse the long British tradition of closing all pubs at 11pm. This decision created a lot of controversy. Supporters claimed that allowing people to drink longer would prevent them from binge-drinking, while others claimed that people would drink even more.

I, personally, was psyched to hear that pubs would get all-night liquor licenses because there is almost nothing sadder than hearing the sound of that damn bell announcing last drink order when you are just starting to have a good time.

Since I am in London this week, I was curious to see how the 24-hour drinking laws changed the nightlife dynamic in London. I am here to report that virtually nothing has changed. Most pubs still close at 11pm. I asked a friend who lives here and she said that pubs must pay more money and benefits to their employees if they stay open past 11pm. That’s why most of them still close at 11pm.

At the same time, today’s Times had an article about alcohol consumption. It turns out that Britons are heavier drinkers than even the Russians, according to official data from the World Health Organization. These kinds of statistics are apparently making people review the 24-hour drinking laws.

Looks like that bell is not going away anytime soon.