Westminster City Council is consulting on proposed licensing changes aimed at reducing "vertical drinking"—the practice of standing while drinking—in Soho and the wider West End. The draft policy seeks to discourage excessive drunkenness by encouraging pubs and bars to provide more seating and table service instead of open bar spaces that facilitate high-volume standing drinking. The council’s approach is part of efforts to address issues related to overcrowding on pavements and disturbances caused by patrons in the area.

The proposals have drawn strong reactions from pub owners, customers, and hospitality industry representatives. Lesley Lewis, landlady of The French House—a historic Soho pub operating since 1891—warned that enforcing seated drinking could be devastating for small venues like hers. Lewis said the change would make it difficult to operate effectively, potentially forcing redundancies and threatening the pub’s survival. “We rely on those people standing up with the rents and the rates put upon us,” she said, calling the measures “another hammerblow” for the struggling sector.

Regular customers and publicans also voiced concerns that restricting standing drinking would alter the character of Soho’s nightlife and reduce the social interaction that draws many to the area. Pub-goers highlighted the appeal of outdoor drinking and bar ordering as essential parts of their experience. Conrad Langley, a visitor to Soho, said such limits could “strangle businesses that are already suffering” by reducing capacity. Friends Lewis Watts and Adam Wright echoed the sentiment, emphasizing that standing at the bar forms part of pub culture and helps manage crowding inside venues.

Industry bodies expressed alarm about the potential economic impact. Emma McClarkin, CEO of the British Beer and Pub Association, cautioned that the sector is already under pressure, noting that two pubs close daily in the UK and that publicans typically make low profits per pint. She described any steps likely to reduce customer numbers and increase staffing demands as a “total misstep.” Michael Kill, CEO of the Night Time Industries Association, said such changes risk damaging the unique character of London’s nightlife.

Westminster City Council officials have denied that the proposals amount to an outright ban on standing drinkers. Deputy council leader Tim Barnes dismissed such claims as a “wilful misreading,” clarifying that the guidance aims to help venues manage customers to prevent pavement overcrowding and minimise disturbances, not to eliminate vertical drinking entirely. The council pointed out that less than 1.5% of licence applications are rejected, underscoring its commitment to supporting thriving nightlife businesses. Barnes added that Westminster is willing to collaborate with the Mayor of London to balance licensing objectives and has launched a campaign to promote Soho nights out.

However, Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan criticised the council’s approach as “restrictive and anti-growth” and indicated plans to use newly granted powers to intervene in licensing decisions he deems harmful to London’s hospitality industry. A spokesperson for the Mayor’s office stressed the need to protect venues at a time when the sector faces multiple challenges, including rising costs and increased regulatory burdens.

The proposed policy also includes a ban on new alcohol licences within the designated “cumulative impact zone” covering Soho and large parts of the West End, aiming to reduce alcohol-led activities there. The debate over vertical drinking reflects broader tensions between regulators seeking to manage public order and businesses striving to maintain the vibrant social culture that defines Soho’s historic nightlife scene.