伦敦威斯敏斯特市议会提出草案政策，旨在限制酒吧内的"竖立饮酒"行为[1]。该政策包括劝阻"过度醉酒"，并鼓励商家提供更多坐位和餐桌服务，以替代"开放式酒吧空间"[1]。市议会领导人保罗·斯瓦德尔表示："这是关于安全的问题，而不是阻止任何人站在酒吧里拿着一品脱啤酒"[1]。
该提案立即遭到英国高级官员的批评。首相伯纳姆的发言人称，站着共享啤酒不是滋扰，而是"英国生活"的一部分[1]。伦敦市长汗在X平台表示："你不能以村委会的心态管理一个世界著名的夜生活区"[1]。
威斯敏斯特拥有英国任何地方政府中获得酒精销售许可的酒吧、酒吧和餐厅最多[1]。该草案政策目前仍处于公众评论阶段[1]。
Westminster City Council in London has proposed a draft policy aimed at discouraging "vertical drinking"—standing while consuming alcohol—a move that has drawn sharp criticism from senior government figures and the hospitality industry.[1] The initiative seeks to reduce noise and disorderly behavior by encouraging venues to provide more seating and table service as alternatives to open-bar standing areas.[1]
The council's leadership, represented by Paul Swaddle, has characterized the proposal as a safety measure rather than a ban on patrons standing with a pint.[1] However, Prime Minister Keir Starmer's office rejected this framing, contending that sharing a beer while standing is part of "British life."[1] London Mayor Sadiq Khan weighed in on social media platform X, stating: "You cannot run a world-renowned nightlife district with a parish council mentality."[1]
Westminster hosts the highest concentration of alcohol-licensed pubs, bars, and restaurants of any local authority in the United Kingdom,[1] making the council's proposal particularly consequential for the sector's post-pandemic recovery. The draft policy remains open for public consultation.[1]