In The Post-Pandemic Nightlife World, Is This The End Of The Pick-Up Bars?

How The Singles Scene Will Be Affected After A Year In Lockdown

By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Nightlife Blogger

At first thought, the opportunities for single people at bars, pubs and clubs around the world bring to mind reunions after long wars.

After all, like after a big war there’s a big celebrations. Just like being in the army, people have been told what they can cannot do, separated from other singles and had very limited nightlife

Now with the vaccines out and being put in people’s arms, people are ready to get rid of those restrictions and party! Go to concerts, bars, pubs and clubs. Travel to fun nightlife and party destinations.

Time to kiss a girl.

But things may not exactly be a slam dunk as some expect when it comes to the latter. Caution and rules may put a wet cloth on the singles scene, which brings up this potential scenario in the post-pandemic nightlife scene: is this the end of the pick-up bar?

After a year of being inside, social distancing, being seated six feet apart and pulling up a mask and looking the other way when you pass them on the street or walk near them while shopping, can we suddenly snap back to normal when being in a crowded bar?

How quickly will our pre-pandemic social standards kick back into gear?

Not only that but the setup of singles bars is different. Being able to stand – to lean against the bar – to survey the scene may not be allowed by state or local regulations, depending on one’s location.

Tables placed socially-distanced apart make it difficult to initiate conversations.

Dancing space is limited.

And even if you can do those things, if you walk up to a table of girls (note a guy is writing this post), will they be receptive to a stranger entering their space? After all, one doesn’t naturally just flip a switch and get back to pre-pandemic social levels.

My gut feeling is that initially, people will be a little more cautious to mingle with strangers. You may have to approach someone cautiously rather than boldly.

So you may have to keep your favorite pick-up lines on the shelf a little longer in the post-pandemic nightlife scene.