Sorry to keep harping on about it, but let’s face it, as Christmas approaches all anyone cares about is the credit crunch and the economical future of London and the UK. Working on the bar section of View London every day means I can see first-hand the effect of the credit crunch at London bars. There are some tough times ahead; as everyone starts to lower their outgoings the first area to be hit will inevitably be going out. As it is, an amusing news piece recently showed that the most commonly shoplifted items from supermarkets now is baby food, replacing alcohol for the first time. Well, it tickled me, anyway.

Whereas restaurants across London are now doing special money-off deals (even the Michelin star crowd are getting in on the action), when bars and pubs try to do the same to lessen the effect of the credit crunch at London bars they get slammed by MPs for contributing to binge drinking. An Australian-themed pub in Acton called The Redback was recently at the heart of a media storm when it was reported they were offering a £10 all you can drink deal. I can’t really blame them for trying to entice customers in through their doors. Plus, the deal is only available on a Sunday – hardly a prime time for trouble. This latest move has led to yet more calls for Happy Hours at London bars bans (see past blogs London Happy Hour Ban and Do You Measure Up?) and even a call for a ban on advertising alcohol. What’s a pub and bar to do? Many of them can offer food deals – if they serve food. But those places that concentrate on drinking and a party atmosphere may find they struggle.

As you might expect, Champagne sales have started to falter as reported by the UK’s largest wine chain Majestic, with a 25 per cent fall in sales. Well, the City boys and girls won’t be celebrating, and for the rest of us, we can hardly afford Champagne bars! Maybe celebrity spotting bars won’t be as troubled with this as the A-list (and wannabe Z-list) try and stay ahead of the game.

I’ve got to feel bad for venue owners whose livlihoods are effected by the credit crunch at London bars. Although a recent spate of bar openings proves that not everyone is running scared. Slim Jims, Wax Jambu, Public House and Albert and Pearl are all new openings in Islington alone. Meanwhile, nine bar has opened in London Bridge to try and pull in local office workers. East London shows no sign of abating with Chamucos, All Star Lanes, Hat and Tun, Tabernacle, Cube and Russian Bar all opening their doors to tempt in cash-hard punters. Battersea continues to try and up its party stakes with the openings of The Brunel and the Bolingbroke. Oh and don’t forget The Hawley Arms reopening in Camden, Fire Station in Hammersmith, Ghost Inc in Kensington, Diva Beach in Chelsea and Vendome Mayfair in, well, the clue’s there. And there’s no sign of the deluge abating any time before Christmas.

So, I’ll raise a glass of cut price Champagne (make the most of it while it lasts) and toast London bars and pubs – long may they continue to thrive. Let's hope the credit crunch at London bars doesn't ruin our favourite watering holes for good.