Late pub hours salute history
Britain will commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day with late pub hours, because national memory apparently becomes more accurate after midnight and a second packet of salt and vinegar crisps.
Pubs and bars in England and Wales that normally stop serving at 11pm may continue until 1am. The extra two hours give the public time to honour wartime sacrifice, reflect on peace and explain to a coat stand why Vera Lynn would have absolutely loved karaoke.
The Department of Ceremonial Last Orders stressed that the occasion should remain dignified. Its guidance recommends lowering your voice during remembrance, raising your glass with care and not attempting to liberate the fruit machine before closing.
“This is history made accessible,” said Sir Clive Barstool, Deputy Keeper of the Commemorative Pork Scratching. “Museums have labels and expert curators, but pubs have Brian insisting his grandfather personally defeated fascism with a mild ale and a bicycle pump.”
Landlords welcomed the announcement while preparing for the traditional British fusion of heartfelt gratitude and one customer asking whether the commemorative bunting entitles him to a lock-in. At 1am, the nation will fall silent, partly in reflection and partly because someone has finally unplugged the jukebox.
Read the real story: Pubs to stay open later for VE 80 celebrations.
Officials said the extension would allow communities to mark the occasion together. This may involve singing, toasts and the annual act of national diplomacy in which someone insists the round was theirs before discovering they have brought only a loyalty card for a garden centre. By dawn, peace will have been restored to the nation and several taxi ranks.
