As I live in Blackpool this is a subject fairly close to my heart. Although I couldn't identify any establishments where 'free' drinks are given, there are several that offer reduced-price drinks for women.
The rationale behind this is that where the girls are..........the high-spending boys will soon follow. In fact what seems to happen is that it encourages the consumption of vast quantities of alcohol by people unable to cope with its effects.........and as most of these folks are out 'on the pull', argy-bargy over who saw whom first, etc. spills over into fights and the good folks of the town are left to foot the bills incurred.
I believe that these sorts of promotions ought to be stopped rather than any premises closed down.
I agree that 'personal responsibility' ought to pay a part, but all too often tourists to the town seem to leave all notion of that in their home-towns.