Overseas Briefing

Author: Edward Pickering

Having travelled relatively little in my life, I am unqualified to discuss the comparative drinking habits of countries. I have only the United States, Scotland and perhaps Australia to work with. Well, let's temporarily forget Australia.

Various statistics, all equally astounding, are quoted concerning the pub-to-person ratio in St. Andrews. That there are numerous pubs is indisputable. That you may take your pick of them on any night of the week is one of St. Andrews' prime pleasures. As far as I can tell, and I've done a little investigating, pubs acquire and lose reputations with surprising ease. That the trendy students frequent pub X this year is no guarantee that they will two years from now. Presently, I spend a considerable time at Broons and Westport, two of the "classier" establishments. For me, it all boils down to location and layout: I am an incipient connoisseur of pub design. The infrastructure of space in which I am drinking determines, to a large extent, my enjoyment. Do I feel cozy? Exposed? Can I freely and inconspicuously people watch? How high are the ceilings? What emotional adjustment is occasioned by this sunken recess? For these and other vital musings I must thank a Middlebury architecture professor. But I digress.

The point is, a great many factors contribute to producing a favourable or unfavourable pub experience. Pubs are as variable as the drinks they serve, which themselves are as variable as the different palates they please. The student union attracts hordes of penurious students. Here, the drinks are cheap. Elsewhere the drinks are sometimes free. Go to the Gin House on a Tuesday night and you'll receive a free shot of Bailey's whenever a U2 songs airs. The Castle, a rather homely little den on North Street, serves all pints for one pound and 80 pence from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. When the drinks in question vary as much from Guinness to Tennets (not recommended) a flat rate can prove quite enticing. Last Thursday I bought my professor a whiskey and soda at this very pub. I myself drank a pint of Velvets, a creamy concoction half way between a liquid and a meal.

The pubs exert a strong pull at all hours of the day. No, I do not have a drinking problem. I just suffer from a deep appreciation for the pub atmosphere. After a solitary afternoon of reading and running on the beach (industrious pursuits) what better than a single, slow drink with a friend? For such an occasion head to the Victoria. On a Saturday night buzzing with excitement and romantic possibility, head just about anywhere, but make sure to stop by Westport or Lizard at least once.

As for the comparison between drinking habits in Scotland and America, I wouldn't really know. Age (I'm only 20) has limited my stateside experience to closed rooms and kegs. Not much of an experience if you ask me. I warned you I wasn't qualified.