Why going to your neighborhood bar is good for your health

According to an Oxford University study, going to your neighborhood pub isn’t just entertaining; it’s also good for your health.

People that go to their local bar on a regular basis are happier, have more friends, and are overall more satisfied with their lives. Hanging out at the pub improves our social lives and community connections because it allows us to mingle with friends and neighbors in an environment that is free of the duties and monotony of everyday life. This is a perfect excuse to stop in for a beer, especially since an active social life can help you live longer by lowering your blood pressure and reducing stress.

Beyond the social benefits, having a drink at your local bar may be beneficial to your health. Moderate drinking has been associated to better health outcomes such as increased memory, lower illness risk, and inflammation resistance. Just don’t overdo it, or those health benefits could turn into drawbacks.

Surprisingly, people who visit their local pub tend to be moderate drinkers in the first place. While it’s unclear if this is due to the social setting encouraging moderate consumption, higher drink pricing, or the bartender’s strong arm, it’s a compelling incentive to meet up at the bar rather than inviting friends over to binge at home.

Local bars aren’t just beneficial for people; they’re also good for communities.

Bars are frequently a hub of activity. If a young musician or a small-name touring band is in town, they’ll almost certainly be performing at a local bar. Local bars also host pool leagues, dart tournaments, fundraisers, quiz evenings, jogging groups, and other activities, changing them from a drinking facility to a community hub.

People are far less likely to drink and drive when they can walk to a nearby bar, a dangerous and unlawful decision that claims the lives of 28 people every day in the United States. Plus, if someone comes in for a happy hour drink, they’re much more likely to stay in town for an unplanned dinner than if they went home first, resulting in more money flowing into the local economy.

When we think of small businesses, we usually think of restaurants and specialized stores, but local bars are a vital element of a community’s business sector. Bars not only generate tax income from alcohol sales, but they also employ locals who invest their earnings back into the community.

Bars and breweries are often invaluable contributors to city events and charity initiatives, as the owners of local drinking facilities tend to have strong community links. A bar could hold an on-site fundraiser, give alcohol to a charity event, or donate a portion of its profits to a good cause in the community.

Collaboration with local bars and restaurants can even help struggling small companies succeed. Adding local microbrews to the menu can help restaurants raise revenue and attract new customers, given the country’s growing love with craft beer. Food trucks can reach a steady stream of customers by parking outside bars, and take-out businesses can increase their revenue by providing free delivery to patrons of nearby bars.

You’d think that with all the good that bars can do for our lives and our communities, there would be one on every corner. Local bars have sadly been disappearing from our cityscapes. Between 2005 and 2015, almost 10,000 local bars closed in the United States, and the trend shows no signs of slowing. So, what are your options? Make it a point to stop in for a happy hour drink, mingle with the regulars, and return the following week for more.