Pubs had a welcome boost over Christmas with some reporting a year-on-year rise in takings.
A straw poll by The Publican found business was boosted for a number of licensees as customers came out to enjoy themselves before tightening their belts for 2009.
At the Golden Slipper in York, licensee Anita Adams said the upturn had come as a pleasant surprise - after a post-smoking ban £23,000 fall-off in trade.
"We did very well and exceeded my expectations," she said. "As Christmas was on a Thursday, I thought people might stay in the following weekend, but that luckily didn't happen."
Roger Jackson, licensee of the Anglesey Arms in Halnaker in West Sussex, reported an eight per cent year-on-year rise in profits. Money spent on his catering facilities had attracted more customers, he said.
Andy Brooks, licensee of the Laughing Fish in Uckfield, West Sussex, whose takings increased by nine per cent over Christmas year-on-year, said people were determined to enjoy themselves before facing the hardship of the coming year.
"It is in the British spirit to go out and enjoy yourself during the festive period, even when times are gloomy, and resolve to tighten the belt after Christmas," he said.
But some licensees fell victim of the harsh economic climate. Rick Robinson, licensee of the Willoughby Arms in Kingston- upon-Thames, Surrey, whose December takings were down 30 per cent compared to the previous Christmas said: "I was expecting this. But then again things could have been a lot worse."
However many licensees remain pessimistic about prospects for 2009. Dennis Griffiths, chairman of the Federation of Licensed Victuallers' Associations, said he thought it would be a "very quiet first quarter".