Even after reading the article, I'm not sure I understand why they care so much. You've got a queue of people wanting to give you money. Just take it and serve them drinks. Why do these pubs care how people queue up?

To me, it seems like a good step forward. I never liked the mode most bars/pubs operate in, where you need to push and muscle your way up to the bar, squeezed in sideways next to everyone else, trying to get the bartender's attention. A queue seems much more orderly and civilized.

Imagine if fast food restaurants worked the way bars worked: Instead of waiting in line, everyone just mashes themselves up to the counter waving cash around and shouting their burger orders to whoever's attention they can capture...