Bar Etiquette, Tips and Advice

What to look for in a bar

The establishment in which you do your drinking will determine much about how your evening will go--who you meet, what music you’ll be listening to, how much you are going to spend, and how strong your drinks are. Hence, it's vital that you choose carefully.

The following tips will help:

* Signs of a good bar include lots of people, reasonably priced and strong drinks, places to sit so that you don't have to stand the whole night, and a noise level that allows conversation. Extra points if it's spacious enough so that it can accommodate more than a handful of patrons and if it has enough different areas that you can escape particularly offensive clientele when need be. While cheap is good, it should not be so shady that you suspect there's a strong likelihood of personal harm.

* It must have quality bathrooms, and plenty of them, so you don't spend your whole evening waiting in line. Don’t expect pristine conditions in these bathrooms and use common sense, always go to the bathroom with a friend.

What You Need to Know About Drinks

* Making friends with the bartender will ensure you a high level of service and possibly a cheaper one. Tipping is key.

* Avoid drinking anything with an umbrella, unless you're on or within ten yards of a beach.

* No body shots once you're out of college, and even then, you should try to graduate with a degree as well as your dignity intact.

Miscellaneous

* Know when to listen to your friends--they're always going to know better than you regarding your level of intoxication and your bad bar behavior. Listening to them will up your chances of not making a fool of yourself.

* If you see that your friend is trapped in conversation with someone and is shooting you desperate looks, don't pretend you don't notice.

* Know when to stay home: Many an unpleasant night has begun because one tries to go out when in reality one actually needs to stay in by oneself with a good book and a relaxing bath. Just because it is a Friday or Saturday night, one is not obligated to go out. If you're not in the mood, do your friends a favor and stay in. (However, if you have already made plans, you need to suck it up, go, and be cheerful about it. If you need to duck out early, that's fine, but "early" means midnight or anytime thereafter.)

A Bartender’s Advice

The following are tips from a professional bartender on how to make everyone’s nights better

1) Don't just ask the bartender for a "beer" or a "shot"--please be specific! I can't count how many times I had to ask "Can you be more specific?" I had over 50 different bottle beers and 10 on tap, and 25,000 different drinks! Know what you want!

2) If you are waiting in line at the bar and have been waiting for a while, when it is finally your turn, don't look at the bartender blankly! Tell him/her what you want! The waiting in line is to be used for deciding what you want, not to chit chat or flirt. Be quick and concise.

3) Women, do not take offense if someone accidentally steps on your feet, bumps your shoulder, or causes you to spill a little of your drink on the person near you or on yourself. It is a hazard of going out and accidents happen, especially by other women. I blame it on alcohol and high heels. If you plan on wearing pumps out, limit your alcohol intake to one drink per hour, unless you like getting stepped on and stepping on people.

4) Guys, booze only enhances your personality in your own eyes. It does not make you a superman, invincible, a rock god, or a movie star.

5) Don't feel put out when you are asked for your ID. That is the job of the doorman. The fines for this are steep and in most states come out of the paycheck of the bouncer. If you are denied, don't get mad. You gambled and lost.

6) Don't treat someone's business as your own personal backyard party. Just because you would urinate in a trash can at your own house doesn't mean you should do this while in a club or a bar.

7) Tipping the doorman will ensure that he will remember you, but it does not get you an automatic in the next time you come by. You can tip until you’re blue in the face but if the doorman has to pull you out of a melee every time you're in the bar, don't expect favors.

8) There is a reason for every rule. Bars' rules are there to protect you from the dangers we have all seen or been through. Bartenders and bar owners know our bar better than you do!

Alternatives

If you and your friends would rather save money and stay in for the evening, then by all means, throw on a record and grab some of your favorite adult beverages. To make your home take on that personalized bar atmosphere, order some custom engraved glasses for just such occasions. The best part about staying in is that at the end of the evening once your company leaves, you’re already at home!