I agree with Mr Happy. I live in a rural environment, with no bus route. People would get lonely and depressed. But where does alcohol come into it? We have a Village Hall in nearly every village here in Norfolk, and many of them are in use every day and night of the week. There are bingo, tea-dances, quizzes, mother-and-toddler groups, Keep Fit, film nights, talks (loads of these in our village, very interesting too) WI, Women's Friendly Hour, Computer Lessons, and so on and so on.
And in not one of these is any alcohol available. We make the tea and coffee and small cakes, there are crisps and choccy bars. Folk come from other villages in their cars and go home safely and alcohol-free. Boozing just isn't necessary.