Beavertown Launches Pub Stools to Spark New Friendships

Beavertown Brewery is on a mission to get Brits chatting with the launch of playful pub stools across UK pubs — where punters can pull up a chair and break the ice with strangers, as new research by the brewery shows that over half of Brits (54%) want to expand their social circles, but over one in three (35%) have no idea how to go about it. Go figures.

To help Brits loosen up, Beavertown Brewery has placed these striking blue, skull-clad stools in nine UK pubs, inviting punters to ask “Is this seat taken?” as an easy way to strike up a conversation with a stranger.

The stools act as a physical, four-legged ice-breaker. If punters want to take the seat, they’ll need to introduce themselves to the table and give everyone a good old-fashioned British CHEERS. And then just sit back and watch the ice break left, right and centre.

The survey also revealed that pubs are among the top two best places to initiate conversations with strangers, with nearly half (48%) of the country agreeing.

To help people feel more comfortable striking up conversations, Beavertown Brewery has teamed up with behavioural psychologist Katherine Templar Lewis. She offers practical tips to boost confidence and make connections in pub settings.

Katherine Templar Lewis said, “In an age where loneliness is on the rise, we must remember that humans are inherently social creatures. We've evolved to thrive in communities, and our bodies and minds benefit immensely from genuine social connections. By encouraging people to share a table, introduce themselves, and raise a glass together, we're not just combating loneliness – we're reviving the age-old tradition of the pub as a community hub.”

Katherine’s tips on how to approach strangers [full tips can be found here]:

• Always make eye contact: When you make eye contact with someone, we give them the signal that they can trust us, their body language will change and confidence will grow in both them and you.
• Don’t forget to smile: Smiling increases mood-enhancing hormones such as dopamine and endorphins, while decreasing stress-enhancing hormones, including cortisol, and adrenaline. It also reduces overall blood pressure.
• Take part in a ritual: Rituals have been created to bring people together. Even everyday rituals, from making a cup of tea, making a drink, or the British ‘cheers’ have a bonding effect and impact on our well-being, calming our nervous system and helping moments feel more meaningful.
• Make small talk: Questions such as “where have you come from?”, “what brought you here?”, and “how are you finding the weather” can all not just find points of shared interest to spark wider conversations, but also show how interested we are in the other person.
• Own the awkward: Remember that this feeling comes from your brain trying to play it safe. Push on, focus on the positive outcomes, keep going, and soon your body will quickly recognise there is no threat your nervous system will calm.

Tom Rainsford, marketing director at Beavertown Brewery, commented, “With 'Is This Seat Taken?' We want to offer a way for people to break the ice and connect over a pint - even if it’s just a quick cheers. Nearly half of us (43%) have never started a conversation with a stranger in a pub before, and why not? Give it a go this summer and who knows, this could be the start of a beautiful friendship.”

The “Is This Seat Taken?” campaign kicks off in selected London pubs and beyond from August 20th.

Find more information, or find your nearest participating pubs here, with T&Cs here.