In a refreshing twist on the rising cost of pints, a new pop-up pub in London is letting customers decide how much to pay based on their income.
The pub, aptly named The Fair Pour, is an initiative by Oxfam to draw attention to wealth inequality ahead of the Davos World Economic Forum next week. For one day only—on 21 January—Oxfam will take over The Queen’s Head in Holborn (64 Theobalds Road), opening its doors from midday to 9pm.
At this unique venue, there’s no set price for drinks. Customers will simply tell the bar staff how much they’d like to pay for their non-alcoholic beverages. Yes, it’s a dry pub, catering to those partaking in Dry January, offering a range of booze-free pints, wines, and creative mocktails like the “Old Money Fashioned” and “The Billionaire’s Breeze.”
For pub quiz fans, a quiz will run from 7pm to 8pm, and no bookings are required—just turn up and join in.
Highlighting Inequality
Oxfam’s goal with The Fair Pour is to spotlight the widening inequality gap between the world’s wealthiest and the rest. According to Kelly Mundy, Senior Campaigns Manager at Oxfam:
“Wealth inequality is the shocking reality of our society, and a reality that’s worsening every year. It’s time for bold solutions like progressive taxation and investment in public services to create a more equal playing field.
The Fair Pour pub highlights the urgent need for action to create a fairer world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. We hope it encourages people to think about how a fairer tax system could create a more just society for everyone.”
Will the Honesty System Work?
The success of this experiment hinges on the honesty of its patrons. Will high earners hand over a fair sum, or will they exploit the system? Similarly, will lower-income individuals feel comfortable paying less for their drinks?
With the average cost of a pint in London nearing £8, Oxfam’s initiative offers a thought-provoking contrast to recent trends. For example, O’Neills in Soho recently introduced “dynamic pricing,” charging an extra £2 on drinks after 10pm—a move that sparked heated debate.
The Fair Pour invites Londoners to consider how fairness and equality could play a bigger role, not just in how we pay for drinks, but in society at large. Whether people embrace the spirit of fairness or take advantage of the pay-as-you-like system, one thing is clear: this pub is serving up more than just beverages—it’s serving a call to action.
Source: Evening Standard
