Temperance bar

A temperance bar is one of a number of bars, primarily in Lancashire, England during the 19th century, that did not serve alcoholic beverages.

In the late 19th century, a number of such bars were established in conjunction with the Temperance Society. Originally, these advocated a moderate approach to life, especially concerning the consumption of alcohol; later, they moved toward abstinence from alcohol. Temperance bars with full temperance licenses (allowing them to serve on Sundays despite English trading laws at the time) were once common in many high streets and shopping areas in the North of England. The movement had a massive following, fueled mainly by Methodists.^[1] The bars quite often asked their patrons to sign a pledge of Temperance, meaning that they would abstain from intoxicating liquors. Temperance Bars were the first outlet for the drink Vimto in the early 20th century.

Typical drinks

Temperance bars served such brews as

• Black beer and raisin
• Blood tonic
• Cream soda
• Dandelion and burdock
• Ginger beer
• Herb bitters
• Sarsaparilla
• Vimto

Surviving Temperance Bars

Fitzpatrick's Herbal Health (5 Bank St Rawtenstall, Lancashire BB4 6QS) is thought to be the last original temperance bar.

History of Fitzpatrick's Herbal Health

Fitzpatricks in September 2011

The Fitzpatricks, a migrant family from Ireland in the 1880s, came over to Lancashire, England. A family of many herbalists, they turned to building a family run chain of shops throughout Lancashire. These shops dealt in their non-alcoholic drinks, sold herbal remedies, and Cordial bottles. At their peak, the Fitzpatrick family owned a cohort of 24 shops between them, all brewing drinks to the original recipes brought over from Ireland. However, as new drinks came over from America, the Temperance Bars slowly waned away. Fitzpatrick's, being supported by fiercely loyal customers, was able to survive. The Rawtenstall branch of Fitzpatrick’s was run from 1891 until 1980 by members of the Fitzpatrick family. It is now run by new owners, with the objective of returning Fitzpatrick’s Cordials to the market.

Fitzpatricks is notable for its old copper hot water dispenser which was originally a fixture at the Astoria Ballroom in Rawtenstall, near Bury, Lancashire.^[2]

It is also notable for winning an award as [the country's] "Best Sarsaparilla Brewer",^[3] and picking up an award for its Dandelion & Burdock,^[4] a year later.

Temperance Bars in the 21st Century

A new temperance bar is due to open in Rotherham, England, in 2013, according to Rotherham Business News.^[5] The bar was planned in response to demand for Sarsaparilla, a type of root beer, and will be constructed in a retro style.

Notes

1. ↑ "Bar from a bygone age has healthy interest in its past". The Bolton Evening News. 17 January 2003. 
2. ↑ Freethy, p. 83.
3. ↑ Waitrose.com - Mr Fitzpatricks Temperance Bar and Cordials
4. ↑ "Mr Fitzpatricks UKs Last Temperance Bar providing non alcoholic soft drinks and cordials". Mrfitzpatricks.com. Retrieved 2013-03-30. 
5. ↑ Austen, Tom (2013-01-14). "rotherham business news: News: Temperance Bar set to be added to Rotherham's retail mix". Rothbiz.co.uk. Retrieved 2013-03-30. 

References

• Freethy, Ron (2004). Riverside Rambles - Along the Mersey. Wilmslow, Cheshire, England: Sigma Press. ISBN 1-85058-812-0.