Bar owner says health-conscious customers who only order tap water are ruining her business

Those who order tap water to go with their meal often feel virtuous, as it does not carry the hefty calorie count of a beer or the sugar of a glass of fruit juice.

However, one bar owner in Bristol has lambasted health-conscious diners who prefer water with their food and said they are ruining her business.

The co-founder of Bristol Spirit, Sam Espensen, has said that although the bar serves food, customers should all order drinks with their meal.

She tweeted that at least 14 people only drank water at the bar last week, and wrote: “If you come to Bristol Spirit and only drink free tap water - we will not make enough money from your table to break even, let alone turn a profit.

"If you just ask for tap water, it feels like you are telling us you don't value our business enough to buy a drink, which is the reason we exist."

The bar owner told Bristol Live: "This is happening across the industry. This is partly down to people wanting to drink healthier or non alcoholic drinks (which is great), but as we offer around 50 different options for those not wanting to drink alcohol it certainly can't account for all of them.