British pub must never be confused with an American bar.  Pubs are an important part of the life and culture in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and, of course, the Republic of Ireland.
The word [bad word] from “public house.”  In older times, the term signified someone’s house that had been opened to the public.  pub is [bad word] the neighborhood’s living room.  It’s an everyday party for the neighborhood, and your [bad word] is a bit warmer than in an American bar.  The owner or operator is referred to by various names:  host, publican, landlord, governor.  He often lives on the premises.
*ORDERING*
There is no table service in English pubs.  Order and pay at the bar.  The barman or barmaid is very aware whose turn is next.  Signal your readiness to make a purchase by holding money in your hand.  You will be waited upon in turn.  All purchases are in cash.  Not many pubs take credit cards.
If you are seated at a table, it is customary for one or two persons to make the trip to the bar on behalf of the entire table.
Food, if available, is also ordered and paid for at the bar.  The barman or barmaid, however, will bring food to your table.  Just leave your glasses or plates on the table when you are ready to leave.
*WHAT TO DRINK*
Since a pub is the neighborhood’s living room, you are under no obligation to order anything alcoholic.  Your order for coffee or a Coke will be filled cheerfully and without batting an eye.
Mixed drinks such as margaritas and daiquiris are virtually unknown.  If you wish something with alcohol, you either will be drinking distilled spirits (whiskey, gin, [bad word]  with water or a mixer, or you will be drinking beer.  The [bad word] as ale (dark beer), lager (light beer), bitter (light ale), or stout (very dark beer).  For a fuller explanation of the difference, click here
.  Some beers have much more alcohol than others, and the color or taste of the beer gives little indication.  Your barman or barmaid will know the percentage of alcohol of all beers sold in the pub.
request for ale or lager or bitter or stout will get you a full pint unless you specifically ask for a half pint.  (In Ireland, a request for a "glass" of beer will get you a half pint.)  The British pint is 20 ounces, as opposed to our 16 ounces.  While English pubs are free to charge whatever prices they set, the measures of the alcohol they sell are strictly standardized by law.  shot of whiskey, for example, contains the same quantity of whiskey from one pub to another.  It would be illegal to pour more or less than the standardized amount.
When drinking beer, Professor Franks [bad word] Harp, a strong-tasting lager brewed in Ireland and fairly low in alcohol content.  very good and popular ale is Newcastle, brewed in England’s northernmost city, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, near the border with Scotland.
Expect American-branded beers brewed in England, such as Budweiser, to be brewed to British tastes and therefore to taste very different than in America.  Expect beer to be not quite as cold as in America.  Also, when requesting ice for a Coke or mixed drink, expect only a few cubes, not a glass filled with ice.
Even though you won’t be driving, you do represent Southern University and the United States of America.  Drink responsibly, please.