'Tis the season to be jolly... hungry

Pubs open all day, 36-hour opening allowed over the New Year period and plans for more flexible closing times in the future. You could be forgiven for thinking that pubs will be enjoying a real trade bonanza over the festive period in years to come. But if the evidence of this year is anything to go by then forget it, for Snifter himself can recount some recent pub-going experiences that has led him to believe that nothing has changed, or ever will change for that matter. Taking a quiet walk close to home ­ despite the pouring rain ­ on the day before New Year's Eve Mr and Mrs Snifter called in on a local free house for a lunchtime pint and hopefully a bite to eat. A polite inquiry about what food was on offer was met with the reply, "Oh, she's not on today!" I took that to mean the cook. Oh well, there's always the big managed house near the roundabout ­ one place sure to have an extensive range of food available. No need to even go in there though, because a blackboard notice told that the kitchen would be closed until Sunday, 5 January. A good half mile to the next pub and, third time lucky, success!! Food still available, even though it was now 1.50pm. A limited blackboard menu maybe, but an order was placed for two meals just the same. The food did arrive, it was well cooked and tasty, but it took 40 minutes to get there, and with only one other couple dining. Is that really acceptable in this day and age? Food was not on the agenda when Snifter took shanks's pony again the following day for a New Year's Eve tour. But once again there was limited success in the quest for some traditional New Year's Eve hospitality. The free house? That was jumping but the door was locked and you couldn't get in as a private party was going on. The managed house? Two burly bouncers were frisking guests for weapons at the door. Not my scene, I'm afraid. The pub that had supplied my meals the previous day? The bar was closed ­ "we can't get the staff" ­ while the lounge would close at 11pm ­ on New Year's Eve!!!! Invited guests though, would be okay upstairs later, customers were quietly told. A lengthy walk followed to another managed house. No problem there. Both the lounge, where a disco was in full swing, and the bar were heaving, and there was a good atmosphere to boot. Only at 11.45pm the bar closed to "allow the staff to celebrate the New Year". Fortunately it did re-open half an hour later and the party resumed. It all left Snifter wondering whether some licensees really do want the extra hours and the flexibility that apparently they have been seeking for so many years. There's always next year though!!