Are Non-Drinkers Welcome at Bars?
Jul 30, 2015, 11:39 am
#1
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Are Non-Drinkers Welcome at Bars?
When I travel the biggest things I battle are boredom and loneliness. Often times when walking in or out of the hotel I pass the bar where I can see people chatting and having a good time. The only thing that keeps me from going in is the fact that I don't drink.
I go to bars with coworkers occasionally, but much of my work travel now is solo so I have few people to socialize with. My question is whether or not a bar could be a good place to socialize and find people with which to pass the time who are in a similar situation away from home. To be clear, I'm not looking for romantic companionship, I'm just fine on that front, just something a step up from sitting alone in a hotel room.
I go to bars with coworkers occasionally, but much of my work travel now is solo so I have few people to socialize with. My question is whether or not a bar could be a good place to socialize and find people with which to pass the time who are in a similar situation away from home. To be clear, I'm not looking for romantic companionship, I'm just fine on that front, just something a step up from sitting alone in a hotel room.
Jul 30, 2015, 11:45 am
#2
Join Date: Jan 2013
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Absolutely. No one is going to begrudge you for drinking a soda water. If you order it with a lime wedge, people will just think you're sipping a gin-tonic or a vodka-soda anyway. You'll often have a fascinating vantage point to see people become progressively less coherent, as the evening rolls on.
Jul 30, 2015, 12:30 pm
#3
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Are Non-Drinkers Welcome at Bars?
As long as you tip, the bartender won't care what or if you drink. Often a good option is to eat at the hotel bar rather than in the restaurant so that I'm able to talk to someone else also traveling alone.
Jul 30, 2015, 1:30 pm
#4
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Absolutely. If you don't want to stick out, get something that could just as well be alcoholic - sparkling water with lime looks exactly like a G&T. A virgin Mary is another good choice.
Jul 30, 2015, 2:04 pm
#5
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Are Non-Drinkers Welcome at Bars?
I agree completely with the above responses. There are many ex-drinkers who still go to bars and drink non-alcoholic beer for example. Bartenders will be happy to serve you anything you would like to drink but please don't just tip 10% on a very low bill if you are taking up prime real estate at the bar. In Europe and elsewhere it is a little bit different on the tipping situation but you will still be welcome in the bar.
Jul 30, 2015, 2:14 pm
#6
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100% My sister is a non-drinker. I order her a diet coke with a piece of lime - looks like cuba libre all day.
Jul 30, 2015, 3:28 pm
#8
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Are Non-Drinkers Welcome at Bars?
I was once DD at a family-owned Irish pub in San Francisco where the matron responded "Oh, for [redacted per FT Rules] sake!" when I ordered a water. Other than that, never a problem.
Last edited by cblaisd; Jul 30, 2015 at 4:46 pm
Jul 30, 2015, 4:55 pm
#9
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Are Non-Drinkers Welcome at Bars?
You'll be fine. Just order a non-alcoholic drink (or food) and tip well in the US. If anyone blinks an eye, you're probably not in the right bar for friendly/casual/non-"romantic" conversation. 
Jul 30, 2015, 5:00 pm
#10
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Are Non-Drinkers Welcome at Bars?
I would imagine many would secretly envy your discipline. And for those who don't, more liquor for them!
A good friend of mine would always accompany us to the bars and never drank a drop of alcohol. We couldn't figure out how he tolerated us, but nobody ever gave him hell for it.
A good friend of mine would always accompany us to the bars and never drank a drop of alcohol. We couldn't figure out how he tolerated us, but nobody ever gave him hell for it.
Jul 30, 2015, 5:21 pm
#11
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Jul 30, 2015, 6:19 pm
#12
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A hotel's bar is usually a bar-and-grill type place, serving part or all of the menu that's available in the attached restaurant. When I'm traveling alone I usually sit at such a bar to order dinner. Partly this is because I hate sitting at a table all by myself. The bar format makes it easy to strike up casual conversation with other patrons. And when ordering a meal at the bar there's no reason to feel like you don't belong there simply because you're not paying for alcohol.
Jul 30, 2015, 7:01 pm
#13
Join Date: Mar 2012
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Are Non-Drinkers Welcome at Bars?
I often sit at the bar and get dessert. Many folks end up commenting how good the dessert looks or wonder why I take photos of it (for blog). I often talk to the bartender and always tip more (I used to work in restaurants)
Jul 30, 2015, 8:15 pm
#14
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A hotel's bar is usually a bar-and-grill type place, serving part or all of the menu that's available in the attached restaurant. When I'm traveling alone I usually sit at such a bar to order dinner. Partly this is because I hate sitting at a table all by myself. The bar format makes it easy to strike up casual conversation with other patrons. And when ordering a meal at the bar there's no reason to feel like you don't belong there simply because you're not paying for alcohol.
Jul 30, 2015, 9:13 pm
#15
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Absolutely. No one is going to begrudge you for drinking a soda water. If you order it with a lime wedge, people will just think you're sipping a gin-tonic or a vodka-soda anyway. You'll often have a fascinating vantage point to see people become progressively less coherent, as the evening rolls on.