What is the purpose of the pub sofa?

When did sofas (or settees, or couches) start appearing in pubs? And what does their presence say about the type of pub you’re in? Pub sofas are generally big, squishy, and covered with leather. They’re at the edge of the room beside the fireplace, or under a painting of, say, a horse, or a blackboard advertising upcoming events. There might be a low coffee table, or an end table or two, for the placing of drinks. Sometimes, two sofas will face each other, or there might be a matching armchair. We’re not fans of sofas in pubs. We sink into them, they make us drowsy, and they make us feel as if we’re at home. Not in the sense of homeliness; as in, why did we bother coming out? It’s not even as if they’re usually especially comfortable. You’ll see people perched on the edge of the cushions, leaning forward, as if they’re not stopping for long. Most frequently, people sitting on the sofa in a pub are using it as a sort of waiting area, hoping that a proper table becomes available soon.…