CuriousC Posted July 23, 2006 Posted July 23, 2006 So I've been dating this girl for a little bit now and she's a big fan of clubs and bars, etc while I am not. I hardly ever drink but do want to start going to clubs and bars with her and others. Since alcohol was not a big part of my life, I am clueless at bars in what to order, how to order (terminology in ordering), and how much tip to usually give to bartenders. I really don't want to look stupid when ordering in front of this girl and the other people. Any help is appreciated. Thanks
MWC_LifeBeginsAt40 Posted July 23, 2006 Posted July 23, 2006 I don't think you should feel you need to order an alcoholic beverage just to try and fit in. Order what you want to drink, and if that's a soda, there is nothing wrong with that. She may even respect you for that, and if she asks why you don't have a real drink, just mention that you're driving (assuming that you are driving). Or, if you like beer, just ask what's "on tap" and say Sure I'll give it a try (show your adventurous side).
norajane Posted July 23, 2006 Posted July 23, 2006 With tips, it kinda depends on how long you plan to be at said club (how often you will be getting drinks), and how many drinks you order (if you're buying a round and ask for 6 drinks at a time, tip should be bigger). Rule of thumb is to tip well the first time, and then subsequent trips for more drinks, you can dial it back. If it's just two drinks, tip $2 the first time, and then $1 each time after that. If it's 6 drinks at first, tip $3-5, then dial back to $1 to $2 each time you go back. A pitcher of beer should be about $2-3 the first time, and $1-2 after that. I live in high-priced area, though, so your mileage may vary. As to what to order, no one can really tell you that. Most guys just order beer.
Toni_no12002 Posted July 23, 2006 Posted July 23, 2006 I live in the uk and the prices of things are probably totally different her e to what you pay in the us.Normally most people here dont really tip in clubs and pubs very often anyway.If you gave a tip everytime you bought a drink you wouldnt have any money left! Most guys here buy beer/larger or bitter. Though in the us maybe things are a little different
Dataniel Posted July 23, 2006 Posted July 23, 2006 Around me, the common things to ask for at bars/clubs are: jack and coke captain and coke yager bombs long island iced tea white russian corona whatever beer the place has You should go to your local book store and pick up a bartending book of drinks for like $5.
Outcast Posted July 23, 2006 Posted July 23, 2006 You need to be careful, especially if you're driving. A Long Island Iced Tea sounds very innocent but there's a lot of booze in it. Same goes for a lot of fruit-punchy tasting drinks. Beer usually has a lot less alcohol in it but not drink should be gulped down as though it's just pop. Or, you could order just pop. You still get it in a bar glass so unless someone sticks their nose in it or tastes it, nobody knows what you're having.
grateful Posted July 23, 2006 Posted July 23, 2006 Around me, the common things to ask for at bars/clubs are: jack and coke captain and coke yager bombs long island iced tea . You should not order any of these things if you are not used to drinking, especially not, and this is important, the long island iced tea. Don't do it! It's like 6 different liquors mixed with a splash of coke. It will knock you out. Order a beer, off the tap is a good suggestion, and sip/milk it. Being drunk is far less cool than not knowing how to order. I usually tip $2 if ordering only one drink or $3 if ordering two. I drop the tip down after that but never less than $1 a drink.
BenefitOfTheDoubt Posted July 23, 2006 Posted July 23, 2006 I don't think you should feel you need to order an alcoholic beverage just to try and fit in. Order what you want to drink, and if that's a soda, there is nothing wrong with that. I agree with this. In addition to the fact that you don't ever need to drink anything you don't want to drink, you also want to be careful that you don't accidently over-do it! It takes awhile to figure out what you like and how much you can handle, so go very easy in the beginning if you do choose to drink alcohol, especially if you're driving. As for what to drink, safe bets are a vodka cranberry or a rum and coke. Unless these drinks are made *really* strong, the alcohol taste won't normally be too overpowering. I'd definitely stay away from whiskey (Jack Daniels) and Jaegermeister, and I don't know, Long Island Iced Teas are tasty, but there's *tons* of alcohol in them, so I wouldn't recommend them till you've got a better handle on how you handle alcohol. If you decide to get beer, just ask what they've got on tap (or look at the taps) or what they've got in bottles (or check behind the bar -- usually bars have bottles lined up behind the bar so you can see what they've got). I ususally get beer on tap if I'm in a bar (sitting at the bar or at a table) and bottles if I'm somewhere kind of crazy where I might get pushed around a little -- less likely to spill from a bottle! Amstel Light or Corona are safe beer choices -- they've got some taste to them, but nothing too crazy! Coronas usually come with a lemon or a lime -- squeeze it into the bottle, and then most people push the lemon or lime slice into the bottle. As for tipping, I agree with what norajane said, with the one addition that I'll continue to tip well if it's a bar I go to all the time, and I'm friendly with the bartenders. Also, if the bartender buys you a round, tip even a little better than what norajane said for that round.
norajane Posted July 23, 2006 Posted July 23, 2006 I agree with this. In addition to the fact that you don't ever need to drink anything you don't want to drink, you also want to be careful that you don't accidently over-do it! It takes awhile to figure out what you like and how much you can handle, so go very easy in the beginning if you do choose to drink alcohol, especially if you're driving. This is great advice. Another way to minimize your drinking is to never finish your drink. When the next round comes, just put your drink down and take the fresh one. Over the course of an evening, you'll end up drinking far less.
Craig Posted July 23, 2006 Posted July 23, 2006 So I've been dating this girl for a little bit now and she's a big fan of clubs and bars, etc while I am not. I hardly ever drink but do want to start going to clubs and bars with her and others. Since alcohol was not a big part of my life, I am clueless at bars in what to order, how to order (terminology in ordering), and how much tip to usually give to bartenders. I really don't want to look stupid when ordering in front of this girl and the other people. Any help is appreciated. Thanks I don't drink alcohol at all and still enjoy going out with people that do drink. What I've found is that if I have a coke in my hand no one knows that it isn't a rum and coke or something like that. In fact they assume I'm drinking alcohol, then the fact that I'm not downing alcohol never becomes a distracting topic of conversation. Most of the time the waiter assumes I'm the designated driver and I get my cokes for free. One word of caution and warning is not to allow yourself to over do the alcohol thing. I know of this one girl that was not a drinker before she met her bf. Everyone knew he was a lush and now she is too.
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