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 1800s, a number of such bars were established in conjunction with the Temperance Society. Originally, these advocated a moderate approach to life, especially in regard to 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, fuelled mainly by Methodists. [From 'The Bolton Evening News', 17 January, 2003 retrieved from: [http://archive.thisislancashire.co.uk/2003/1/17/572555.html] ] 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 1900s, before it was sold in supermarket chains. [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vimto]

Typical drinks

Temperance bars served such brews as:
* Sarsaparilla
* Dandelion & Burdock
* Ginger Beer
* Black Beer & Raisin
* Cream Soda
* Blood Tonic
* Herb Bitters
* Vimto

Surviving Temperance Bars

Fitzpatrick's Herbal Health (Bank St Rawtenstall) 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 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 Burnley. [Freethy, p.83.]

It is also notable for winning an award as [the country's] "Best Sarsaparilla Brewer" [ [http://www.waitrose.com/food_drink/wfi/foodpeople/specialists/0511052.asp Waitrose.com - Mr Fitzpatricks Temperance Bar and Cordials ] ] , and picking up an award for its Dandelion & Burdock [ [http://www.mrfitzpatricks-cordials.com/ Mr Fitzpatricks UKs Last Temperance Bar ] ] , a year later.

Notes

References

*cite book
last = Freethy
first = Ron
authorlink =
coauthors =
title = Riverside Rambles - Along the Mersey
publisher = Sigma Press
date = 2004
location = Wilmslow, Cheshire, England
url =
doi =
id = ISBN 1-85058-812-0