Agree with you on that! UK's drinking culture seemed extremely toxic.

I've been to London several times for work and meeting extended family, and socializing almost always seemed to heavily revolve around alcohol there - let's go to the pub nearby for a couple pints, oh it's 3pm at this trade show let's start serving hard liquor and beer, fellow 20somethings entire free time spent while clubbing or over boozy brunches.

As a San Franciscan that's honestly insane - people I chat with talk more about which raves or ski slopes or state parks they're gunna check out and maybe have 1 strong IPA beer or some Soju and then call it a night.