What's the cool way not to drink at a bar?

[Agamon]

It's harder when you don't know people. This stuff tends to occur in the context of local meetup events. The last thing I want to be is "twenty minute conversation about the merits of alcohol consumption"-guy.

Don't forget, Ryan lives in Canada. If you're under 40 and tell people here that you don't consider pounding back beer to be a good time, everyone looks at you like you just told them you're an alien from the planet Xorbar.*



*Don't mind me, just feeding a stereotype

 

[CanadienneBacon]

I think you're fine if you just smile and say "Thanks, but I don't drink. I'll come hang out, though." No one will give it a second thought.

That's what I say and it's never been an issue. I think I've only ever been queried about it once.

 

[JDJblatherings]

walk up to the bar and say:

"I'll have a cola on the rocks, shaken , not stirred."

actually order a Redbull that way you are a cool sugar-fiend/caffine addict.

 

[Ry]

Thanks everyone; I appreciate the ideas. It's really just a matter of not enjoying most forms of alcohol, but not wanting to be the one guy not drinking (the spoilsport) - or the one guy sticking it to the bar and waitstaff.

 

[diaglo]

Thanks everyone; I appreciate the ideas. It's really just a matter of not enjoying most forms of alcohol, but not wanting to be the one guy not drinking (the spoilsport) - or the one guy sticking it to the bar and waitstaff.

buy the others a round.

and say you just like the company.

you don't have to drink to feel included.

diaglo "designated driver most of his life" Ooi

 

[werk]

Can just get a soda or redbull or if you really want to be incognito, non-alcoholic beers are usually available...Haake Beck isn't bad at all.

I find that not drinking in a bar when others are makes the experience pretty boring.

 

[diaglo]

I find that not drinking in a bar when others are makes the experience pretty boring.

i agree with this if they only reason to go to the bar is to drink.

but if you have plans ahead of time to watch a sporting event, play trivia, meet new people, dance, etc... then well... you make your own fun or you bore yourself. either way you learn.

 

[The_Warlock]

Same as most of the above, since I don't drink. Offer to be designated driver for anyone, and get a water or a soda. Tap water is usually free from what I've seen, and if it's a brewery, they often have an in house root beer; but any cola works if you want to buy something.

I've never had an issue, though I have occasionally gotten some women look at me appraisingly when they overhear I don't drink at a bar with friends.

Who knew they were looking for a sober man in a bar...

 

[The_Warlock]

PS: If the Bar has a kitchen...order a snack plate/appetizer...everybody wins

 

[Thunderfoot]

Hey Ry,
I personally love beer, my best friend doesn't. As a drinker, I really don;t judge others by their not wanting to, and I have a feeling that most other folks won't either. Frankly, just order a Coke or other non-alcoholic drink. The bartenders usually don't care, especially if you're buying something else. If the folks you are hanging out with have a problem, explain it once, if its still a problem, then find someone else to hang with. Again, most people won't care.
I'd hang with ya.