Bar Etiquette for Millennials

We’ve all been there. You have no idea what to order while you’re out with your co-workers and end up copying the gin-and-tonics everyone else is having. Or you’re still asking for those PBR tallboys because they are the cheapest. Or, god forbid, you still force everyone around you to take tequila shots. Promise me that this stops now??

Okay okay, we’re not that far out from college, but let’s at least appear like we know what we’re doing. Below are some tips and tricks for ordering at the bar.

General

• If you are having trouble getting the bartender’s attention, lean on the edge of the bar with your credit card or cash in hand. It’s more about having the money ready and visible than waving your money, which is rude.
• As long as it’s not a pub or dive or tiki bar, it’s generally okay to ask for a menu.
• If you do not drink and don’t want to feel out of place, order a soda with a lime on the side of the glass.
• Going in with 3 “go-to” cocktails that you like is a surefire way to make sure you don’t stumble on what to order.
• If someone bought the last round, you should offer (and actually) buy the next round instead of splitting the bill. We all know someone who doesn’t reciprocate — don’t let it be you!
• It’s totally acceptable to figure out which beer you want to have on the spot by picking from the viewable beer taps.
• On Beer: IPAs/pale ales are good if you’re looking for a more hoppy (read: beer-y) beers while wheat beers and pilsners work well if you like lighter, less hoppy beers. Lagers and ales are typically more in the middle. Porters and stouts are darker and heavier, like a meal.
• Pro-tip: Beer enthusiasts tend to gravitate towards IPAs, so know your favorite ones before trying to talk shop.
• On Cocktails and Spirits: There are too many things to say here, so I will write another post if there’s enough interest. In general, vodka and rum cocktails are typically the easiest to cover up the taste of; darker liquors like whiskey are more head-y and made for sipping. Tequila and gin have pronounced flavors, so they tend to fit in cocktails much better than as shots.
• Pro-tip: For aged liquors (10+ years old), particularly with scotch, drink it “neat” (without anything). If it’s too strong, it’s often okay to ask for the liquor to be diluted slightly with water. Ice is a no-no for high-end, aged whiskeys.

Work-Related

• When drinking with co-workers, your goal is to order something that doesn’t raise eyebrows. Avoid ordering non-standard drinks that the bartender does not know or tropical drinks such as mojitos (unless it’s a Caribbean themed bar).
• If your co-worker or boss is buying for a large number of people, say that you’re having what they are having.
• If it’s a one-on-one with a colleague/boss, do not order the same thing. It makes you seem like you do not know how to drink.
• Don’t be afraid to say “no” to another drink. No one has the right to make you drink.
• By holding your drink in your left hand, you’ll be able to shake hands with any new people who come and say hi.
• If you’re trying to slow your roll, drink 25–50% of the drink on pace with the others you’re with; then, let the ice melt. By the time they are ready for another drink, it’ll look like you’ve already ordered another one.

Tipping

• If it’s a low-energy drink (e.g. pouring a beer or opening a bottle), tip $1–2 per drink.
• If it’s a cocktail, tip 15–30% depending on the difficulty of the drink.
• If it’s a wine, tip 20% or more, especially if they are letting you taste the wine before.
• Pro-tip: if it’s happy hour, still tip according to the normal price of the drink.
• Using pocket change to tip is very tacky and should be avoided.
• When asking for a water (and not ordering anything else), leaving a $1 bill is nice but not required.

Okay, I’m going to stop here before my mom thinks I’m an alcoholic. Sorry mom. Any other tips I missed? Please respond below!

Because I KNOW you’re not going to buy me a drink for this post, please hit that 💚 instead.

In case you want to introduce two people to get drinks, check out my last post:

How to Write a Proper Email Introduction