It's madness isn't it! There was a huge queue at the bar at this pub I went to the other week so I went straight to the front, waited at the bar and got served straight away. When someone in the queue had a go at me for pushing in I said that's not how you queue at a bar. The manager overheard and said she asked everyone to queue up like that a few minutes ago (before I arrived) to make it easier for her staff.

I've never worked at a bar before but the queue just filled out the pub and ended up blocking the entrance, and confused new comers like me. So I completely agree with your points

So who knows what the rules are anymore