I'm not saying it Never happened "back in my day" PP, but back in the 60's and 70's, and even later, there just wasn't the availability of late night drinking to be had in Every major city across the land.
The Labour government gave pub and club landlords Carte Blanche to make more money and make city and town centres, no-go areas after 11 o'clock.
By the way, while I'm answering your point, can I ask you, why do you always seem to answer a post with two replies, one after the other? It's intrigued me for a while. :)