Originally Posted by
James Blatch
Q3:
Happy Hour.
As a BBC reporter in the 90s/00s I had some enjoyable experiences during Happy Hour on a Friday night in officers’ messes.
However, does anyone recall when this tradition began? Was Happy Hour a universal expression used on RAF stations? And was it used as far back as the 1960s?
Was Friday afternoon always a time for light sweeping/admin before an early repair to the bar?
Yes, happy hour existed in Officers messes in the 60s and beyond though the drinking laws started to reduce attendance. Frequently good was served, typically chips or sarnis. It would finish by 7pm when dress rules forebade the wearing of working dress (flying suits were not worn in mess).
On an operational bomber station flying on a Friday may continue to as late as 2300 or more.