October 13th 2024.
John Bittles made quite a stir in 2022 when he announced that his pub, Bittles Bar in Belfast, would no longer be serving half pints of Guinness. This decision was met with controversy, as John was known for being a grumpy publican who had a strict no-half-pint policy. In addition to this, he had also put up a sign stating "No Coke drinkers," although this rule has since been lifted under certain circumstances.
However, after two years, John has had a change of heart and lifted the ban on half pints. This was mainly due to the increasing number of tourists visiting Belfast, especially those who prefer to drink half pints instead of full pints. John saw this as an opportunity to cater to this specific group of customers and make it worth his while. However, the price for a half pint at Bittles Bar is quite steep at £4.95, compared to the cost of a full pint at £5.80.
John explained that while some customers choose to buy a full pint when they realize the cost, others are willing to pay the higher price for a half pint. Surprisingly, this new pricing strategy has been more successful than when they used to sell half pints at half the price of a full pint. John attributes this to the influx of tourists, especially during the summer when cruise ships dock in the city.
Before this change, John had noticed that customers who ordered half pints would take up tables for too long and spend too little, making it difficult for him to justify their presence in the small pub. This was also the reason behind their table service policy, which further limited the number of spaces in the already small pub.
Now, Bittles Bar also sells soft drinks, but with a condition that the customer must be accompanied by someone buying an alcoholic drink. John draws the line here, stating that it would be too much to allow customers to just come in and order soft drinks without buying any alcohol. This policy has caused some controversy, but John stands by his decision and does not plan on selling pints of Coke, regardless of the price.
The ban on half pints gained Bittles Bar and John national and international attention, with many news outlets covering the story of a customer who was refused a glass of Coke at the pub. John explains that it was just a case of friendly banter being taken the wrong way, and that the pub has always been a mixed crowd, which he prefers. He takes pride in his eclectic customers from different backgrounds and does not want it any other way.
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