Creepy new British "pub" spies on you, sells fake beer

Looks like The Lurker is no longer the worst person in the bar. That honor now goes to Dr. Tony Moss, owner of a new "pub" in London that isn't a pub at all -- it's actually a massive psych experiment where you might get served booze-less beer, a bunch of future shrinks are constantly watching you on hidden cameras, and they won't even play "Fat Bottomed Girls" on the jukebox.

For now simply dubbed Room J-407, this elaborate trap resides on the fourth floor of London South Bank University's main block. The lab/bar was built by Moss's psychology department for £20,000 ($33,392) -- thanks for your year's tuition, random freshman! -- in order to monitor the effects of alcohol on behavior. It may have appropriate lighting, music, and even creepy pre-recorded background chatter, but if you order a brew, you could get served a placebo that just smells like the real deal. Other cruel experiments include a slot machine to measure risk-taking behavior and a wire loop game to test hand-eye coordination. They're working on getting a jukebox next to determine which music makes people drink more quickly. Save your money, Moss, and just play the damn Queen song already.

Kristin Hunt is a food/drink staff writer for Thrillist. Some of her strongest friendships are built on cheeseburgers. Follow her at @kristin_hunt.