Fed up of being served under-filled pints? Exactly what to say at the bar and if you’re entitled to a top up

ARE you fed up of being short-changed at the bar? With pints in some parts of the country costing well over £7, there’s nothing worse than being handed an under-filled or big-headed drink. We explain your rights if you’re served an under-filled pint at the bar Credit: Alamy Head back to the bar if your beer doesn’t measure up, say experts Credit: Alamy But you don’t just have to grin and bear it – pub rules say you’re entitled to a top up. The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) set up its own guidelines back in 1993, which were backed by the Department for Trade and Industry. Sign up for the Money newsletter Thank you! According to these rules, you’re entitled to a pint filled to the brim, or the line if your glass has one. You should get at least 95% liquid – and if you don’t want up to 5% of your pint to be a head, you can ask for a top up. Most importantly, if you ask for a top up, bar staff should do this with “good grace”, the rules say. It can feel awkward to ask for a top up at the bar – but experts say it’s important to make sure you’re getting your money’s worth. Kelvin Goodson, expert at Martin Lewis‘ moneysavingexpert.com, says: “If your beer doesn’t measure up, simply head back to the bar – before taking a sip, clever clogs – and ask for your glass to be filled up. “The BBPA’s guidelines state that pubs should be happy to top you up, so don’t worry about bar staff thinking you’re causing a fuss – you’re only asking for what you’ve paid for, after all.” Most read in Money 'I always ask for a full pint at the bar' THE Sun's Deputy Money Editor, Lucy Andrews, says she always asks for her drink to be filled to the brim. Here’s how she goes about it: Most Wednesdays, you can find me at the pub from 6pm, swigging a well deserved (in my opinion) pint to celebrate that I made it halfway through the week (it would be rude not to, ey?). Last week was no different. Me and Money Editor Fran Ivens sneaked in a cheeky bevvy at our local after our shift. Whipping my card out to pay for two pints, I turned to grab our drinks and noticed there was a good inch and a half missing from both. And it’s not the first time this has happened to me. Under consumer rules, you’re entitled to a top-up – so I always politely ask for one. It’s as simple as: ‘Can I get that topped up please?’ At first I felt a bit bad for requesting this, as I know that pubs are under massive pressure. Rising taxes and operational and labour costs have left many struggling to survive. But luckily, the bartender was lovely and filled mine up! If you’re refused a top-up, the BBPA advises customers to speak with the management to resolve the issue. Pubs were rapped by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute in 2024 for short-changing punters. The watchdog found that over 70% of beer served in pubs and bars across Britain is short-measured. The Campaign for Real Ale described it as “extremely concerning”, and urged punters to demand a top up at the bar. “You are well within your rights to do this, and the staff should comply and fulfil this request. “If you get a negative reaction when you do this, you can get in contact with Trading Standards to report the incident,” its spokesperson said. Comment now