Public Drinking: 10 reasons Europe has it Right

People in Europe are able to drink outside — it looks like a ton of fun. As a matter of fact, it is a ton of fun and if you’ve ever studied abroad, you know the glorious feeling of walking around a classic city with a brew or glass of wine in hand.

There isn’t anything more romantic than sitting on the steps of Piazza Michaelangelo with your best friends (or loved one), sharing a bottle of wine as the sun begins to dip into the horizon. (Florence study abroad students, you know the sentiments exactly.)

Let’s dive into 10 reasons our European counterparts have it right.

Trazee contributor James Kenvin relaxing in front of the Eiffel Tower © James Kenvin

1)    Drinking outside encourages more social bonding.

2)    By walking around and drinking, you actually burn off calories and your buzz.

3)    You start looking at the world around you, instead of at your phone.

4)    Walking releases endorphins, which make you feel great.

5)    You have meaningful conversations with the people around you.

6)    You learn how to manage your alcohol intake.

7)    You gain a sense of self-responsibility and learn to not be a mess.

8)    You get outside more and spend time in public places.

9)    You’ll meet tons of new people by being outside and more social.

10)    Did I mention walking helps burn calories?

Europe has a lot of public spaces, gardens, parks and piazzas, as well as excellent public transportation. Perhaps the reason drinking is allowed in public in many of the countries in Europe is the lack of people driving cars. Similarly, the United States has begun to transform many of its cities by building more parks, open spaces and encouraging public transportation. This, in turn, could one day enable less automobiles on the roads and encourage more social outings in public spaces.