A grumpy publican charges a staggering price for half a pint two years after they were banned | UK news

A notoriously grumpy publican who refused to serve half a pint has had his ban lifted after two years.

But customers wanting a half pint at Bittles Bar in Belfast will have to pay the exorbitant price of £4.95, despite full pints costing £5.80.

John Bittles first made headlines in 2022 when he announced that his pub would no longer serve half pints of Guinness.

He also put up a hand-painted sign reading “No Coke Drinkers”, although the pub has since lifted its ban on soft drinks under strict conditions.

John said the change of heart was prompted by a strong tourist trade boosted by an increase in the number of cruise ships calling at the Northern Ireland capital.

“Mostly tourists come for half a pint, so I thought what I have to do to make it worth it,” he explained.

“So to serve someone half a pint, to let them in and take a seat at a table, I thought for a half pint we’re going to be £4.95.”

“That said, at £4.95, not one person has ever said they don’t want it because it’s too expensive.”

John said that while some opt to buy a whole pint when they realize the cost, others are happy to pay more for half.

“It actually works better at £4.95 rather than half the price of a pint a few years ago,” he added.

“It’s a tourist thing – they don’t drink pints and in the summer, with all the cruises inland, there are hundreds of people who want to come to Bittles Bar and want to drink Guinness, but they’re not drinking pints. people, they’re more people of half a pint.’

Before he stopped serving half pints, John said that customers were taking too long and spending too little.

‘(I couldn’t) justify it in a small place like this, people sitting around drinking half a pint of Guinness. It wasn’t worth it,’ he said.

Space in what is already one of Belfast’s smallest pubs is limited due to its table service policy.

Now he sells soft drinks on his own, but only on the condition that the customer is accompanied by someone who buys an alcoholic drink.

“That’s a bridge too far – you’ve got to draw the line somewhere. If you’re with your partner or whoever and you’re having a pint, you can get a Coke or a soda,” John explained.

“A pint of coke will cost £7.20, a bottle of coke twice £3.60, but why would you want one?

“I personally have never served a pint of Coke and I will not regardless of the price.”

“But as far as people coming off the street to get refreshments, that’s a no-brainer. We won’t do that.’

The half-pint ban propelled the bar and John into national and international newspapers and websites after a customer complained on social media that he had been refused a Coke at the bar.

John insisted it was a case of a “joke” gone wrong.

‘It was always a mixed crowd. It’s never been any other way and I wouldn’t want it any other way,” he said.

“I think we have a great mix of eclectic customers from all over. You couldn’t get better customers.’

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