Temperance Bar
Encyclopedia
A temperance bar is one of a number of bars
, primarily in Lancashire
, England
during the 19th century, that did not serve alcoholic beverage
s.
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 street
s and shopping
areas in the North of England. The movement had a massive following, fueled mainly by Methodists.
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.
, Lancashire
BB4 6QS) is thought to be the last original temperance bar.
, 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.
It is also notable for winning an award as [the country's] "Best Sarsaparilla Brewer"
, and picking up an award for its Dandelion & Burdock, a year later.
Bar (establishment)
A bar is a business establishment that serves alcoholic drinks — beer, wine, liquor, and cocktails — for consumption on the premises.Bars provide stools or chairs that are placed at tables or counters for their patrons. Some bars have entertainment on a stage, such as a live band, comedians, go-go...
, primarily in Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
during the 19th century, that did not serve alcoholic beverage
Alcoholic beverage
An alcoholic beverage is a drink containing ethanol, commonly known as alcohol. Alcoholic beverages are divided into three general classes: beers, wines, and spirits. They are legally consumed in most countries, and over 100 countries have laws regulating their production, sale, and consumption...
s.
In the late 19th century, a number of such bars were established in conjunction with the Temperance
Temperance movement
A temperance movement is a social movement urging reduced use of alcoholic beverages. Temperance movements may criticize excessive alcohol use, promote complete abstinence , or pressure the government to enact anti-alcohol legislation or complete prohibition of alcohol.-Temperance movement by...
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 street
High Street
High Street, or the High Street, is a metonym for the generic name of the primary business street of towns or cities, especially in the United Kingdom. It is usually a focal point for shops and retailers in city centres, and is most often used in reference to retailing...
s and shopping
Shopping
Shopping is the examining of goods or services from retailers with the intent to purchase at that time. Shopping is an activity of selection and/or purchase. In some contexts it is considered a leisure activity as well as an economic one....
areas in the North of England. The movement had a massive following, fueled mainly by Methodists.
The bars quite often asked their patrons to sign a pledge
Oath
An oath is either a statement of fact or a promise calling upon something or someone that the oath maker considers sacred, usually God, as a witness to the binding nature of the promise or the truth of the statement of fact. To swear is to take an oath, to make a solemn vow...
of Temperance, meaning that they would abstain from intoxicating liquors.
Temperance Bars were the first outlet for the drink Vimto
Vimto
Vimto is a soft drink originating from the United Kingdom. It was first manufactured as a health tonic in cordial form, then decades later as a carbonated drink. It contains the juice of grapes, raspberries and blackcurrants , flavoured with herbs and spices...
in the early 20th century.
Typical drinks
Temperance bars served such brews as- SarsaparillaSarsaparillais a perennial trailing vine with prickly stems that is native to Central America. Common names include Sarsaparilla , Honduran Sarsaparilla, and Jamaican Sarsaparilla...
- Dandelion and burdockDandelion and burdockDandelion and burdock is a traditional British soft drink, drunk in the British Isles since about 1265. Traditionally it is made from fermented dandelion and burdock roots, and is naturally fizzy.- History :...
- Ginger beerGinger beerGinger beer is a carbonated drink that is flavored primarily with ginger and sweetened with sugar or artificial sweeteners.-History:Brewed ginger beer originated in England in the mid-18th century and became popular in Britain, the United States, and Canada, reaching a peak of popularity in the...
- Black beer and raisin
- Cream sodaCream sodaCream soda is a sweet carbonated soft drink, often flavored with vanilla.-History and development:A recipe for cream soda—written by E.M. Sheldon and published in Michigan Farmer in 1852—called for water, cream of tartar, Epsom salts, sugar, tartaric acid, egg, and milk, to be mixed together, then...
- Blood tonic
- Herb bitters
- VimtoVimtoVimto is a soft drink originating from the United Kingdom. It was first manufactured as a health tonic in cordial form, then decades later as a carbonated drink. It contains the juice of grapes, raspberries and blackcurrants , flavoured with herbs and spices...
Surviving Temperance Bars
Fitzpatrick's Herbal Health (5 Bank St RawtenstallRawtenstall
Rawtenstall is a town at the centre of the Rossendale Valley, in Lancashire, England. It is the seat for the Borough of Rossendale, in which it is located. The town lies 18 miles north of Manchester, 22 miles east of the county town of Preston and 45 miles south east of Lancaster...
, Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
BB4 6QS) is thought to be the last original temperance bar.
History of Fitzpatrick's Herbal Health
The Fitzpatricks, a migrant family from Ireland in the 1880s, came over to LancashireLancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
, 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
Cordial
Cordial may refer to:* Squash , a non-alcoholic fruit drink concentrate* Elderflower cordial, a non-alcoholic beverage* Cordial , a medicinal beverage* Cordial , a type of candy that has a fruit filling inside a chocolate shell...
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
Rawtenstall
Rawtenstall is a town at the centre of the Rossendale Valley, in Lancashire, England. It is the seat for the Borough of Rossendale, in which it is located. The town lies 18 miles north of Manchester, 22 miles east of the county town of Preston and 45 miles south east of Lancaster...
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.
It is also notable for winning an award as [the country's] "Best Sarsaparilla Brewer"
, and picking up an award for its Dandelion & Burdock, a year later.