As pubs begin to bustle with the arrival of summer, Brits have revealed their recipe for the ultimate pint — enjoyed in a sunny beer garden at around 7.30pm, complete with live music and a game of pool.
The Perfect Pint Formula
When it comes to snacks, dry roasted peanuts (38%) come out on top, pipping cheese and onion crisps (36%), pork scratchings (32%) and scampi fries (16%) to the post. The most popular time for a pint is between 7pm and 8pm (19%), followed by 6pm to 7pm (15%), and straight after work between 5pm and 6pm (14%).
A pub beer garden takes the top spot (43%), ahead of a countryside pub (15%), a riverside boozer (11%), and inside a traditional local (9%). The ideal conditions call for a warm, sunny day (80%), with live music (44%) and a game of pool (40%) — and lager (55%) is firmly the drink of choice.
Nation's Favourite Day for a Pint
According to a poll of 2,000 Brits carried out by Rover.com, Friday is the nation's favourite day for a pint (48%), with one in three (34%) opting for a Saturday session, and one in ten (10%) preferring a Sunday wind-down. Remarkably, 78% of pet owners surveyed bring their four-legged companions along to the pub, with 60% even rating their dog as their preferred drinking partner — ahead of their partner (53%), friends (49%) and family (30%).
Expert Advice for Dog-Friendly Pub Visits
Adem Fehmi, Rover's Canine Behaviourist, commented: "Taking your dog to the pub can be an enjoyable experience for everyone when their needs are properly considered. If your dog is new to this environment, or perhaps has found it tricky to settle previously, it can be helpful to start by visiting at quieter times of the day to begin with. Choose a table on the edge of the venue with plenty of space and less footfall, and give your dog a comfortable spot to relax alongside something positive to focus on, such as a long-lasting chew or food-dispensing toy."
"Shorter visits can also help keep your dog calm and prevent them from becoming overwhelmed, especially if they've had plenty of constructive exercise beforehand. Over time, you can build up to longer visits and busier settings. And finally, it's important to choose pubs that are genuinely dog-friendly and welcoming - not just places that allow dogs."
Rover Tavern Tester Opportunity
The research arrives as Rover calls on dog owners to put themselves forward for what it's billing as the "best job in the world". The firm is on the hunt for eleven "Rover Tavern Testers" to embark on a paid summer adventure, helping to track down the most dog-friendly pub across the UK. Three out of five (61%) owners also reveal their dog helps keep them in check while drinking at the pub, and will even signal when it's time to head home.
Two in five (40%) admitted their dog gives them 'the look' after one too many pints, while some pooches will even place their paws on their owner to signal it's time to leave (41%). When it comes to nursing a hangover following your evening at the local, your four-legged friend brings fresh meaning to "hair of the dog", with nearly two thirds (61%) claiming cuddles from their pet help them recover. But it's not just about the cuddles - 63% revealed their hangover is eased by their dog's non-judgmental nature, while 79% appreciated having a reason to get some fresh air.
As part of this exciting new opportunity from Rover, successful applicants - along with their canine companions - will receive £1,000 to visit pubs in their local area and evaluate them on their dog-friendly facilities. Applications to become a Rover Tavern Tester opened today (May 19), and will close at 18:00 on June 7. Each appointed tester will be paid to visit ten establishments in their region, rating each venue on the amenities provided and the warmth of the staff's welcome.
Top Pub Snacks
- Dry Roasted Peanuts - 38%
- Cheese and onion crisps - 36%
- Pork scratchings - 32%
- Scampi fries - 16%
- Chicken Wings - 16%
- SandV crisps - 14%
- Pork pie - 13%
- Sausage roll - 13%
- Scotch Eggs - 8%
- Frazzles - 8%
- Pickled Eggs - 6%
- Olives - 6%
