Pub etiquette quiz

Ten quick scenarios you meet on any British pub visit. Pick the answer that sounds most like you; we'll add up a score out of 40 and tell you what kind of regular you read as.

What this solves

Pubs in Britain are quiet places where most of the rules are unwritten and nobody will correct you on the spot. That's helpful, but it means visitors can't tell whether their instincts are landing. The quiz puts ten small situations on the page so you can compare your own read of each with the customary one.

How to read the score

Below 16 — you'll still be welcome, but a few habits (ordering, tipping, phones) may read as a touch loud or hurried. Worth a quiet look at what locals do.
16–27 — comfortably in the middle. You know the rhythm of a pub without overthinking it.
27–40 — you read the room the way locals do; rounds, real-ale temperature, last orders and pub dogs all behave as expected.

What it doesn't cover

Local licensing rules (hours vary by council and by individual premises).
Pub-quiz etiquette and team selection — those have their own customs.
Pub etiquette in Ireland, Scotland and Wales where hours and music rules differ.

FAQ

Do I tip in pubs?

Tipping bar staff isn't customary in the way it is in US sit-down restaurants. If there's a tip jar on the counter and you've had table service, leaving the small change or rounding up is polite. A table-service charge should still be paid even if no tip is added.

What's "real ale" and does temperature matter?

Real ale (or cask ale) is unpasteurised, naturally conditioned beer served from the cask. CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, treats cellar temperature (roughly 11–13°C) as the correct serving range. Ice-cold real ale is a sign the cellar is being neglected.

Can I bring my dog to the pub?

Many pubs, especially in the countryside, are dog-friendly in the bar area and outside. Some have a "no dogs in the dining room" rule. Look for the dog bowl by the door or the chalkboard mention before walking in with a lead.

What time do pubs actually close?

Standard licensed hours in England and Wales end at 11pm, with "last orders" called roughly 15–30 minutes before. Scotland's regular hours end later. Many pubs apply for later licences in city centres, but the bell-and-call ritual still marks the end of the night in most places.

Sources

CAMRA — Real ale basics and cellar temperature guidance.
BBPA — British Beer & Pub Association licensed hours reference.
VisitBritain — General guidance on pub customs and tipping.