Going to Bars for Dummies

Okay, nobody thinks you're a dummy. However, I've noticed that a lot of times when a person first becomes old enough to go to bars (or manages to get in anyway), there are certain things that they haven't learned yet. Here are a few helpful tips to make sure your first bar experience goes off without a hitch.

1) Know how to order drinks. This is especially important in a crowded bar. When there are tons of people packed around the bar, you're not getting drinks unless you're assertive. Make your way up to the bar, put your arm down on it, and lean forward so the bartender can see you. Make sure you know what you're ordering beforehand (if you don't have much drinking experience, you can look up all kinds of drink recipes online, at sites such as http://www.webtender.com/), bartenders don't like to waste time when they could be racking up tips. Say your order in a loud, clear voice. In really noisy bars you'll probably have to lean in close to the bartender and shout.

2) Once you've ordered and the bartender has made your drink, you have to pay for it. Be sure not to give exact change, the bartender will be expecting a tip. If you don't tip, the bartender (or waitress if you're at a table) will not be as inclined to serve you. It's also just a really lame thing to do, and makes you look like an awful person. Generally the bartender will make sure to give you change in a way that makes it easy for you to tip (say you give $10 for $5 worth of drinks, they'll give you singles/dollar coins instead of a $5 bill for change). Generally the going rate for tipping is $1 per drink, you might want to see what other people seem to be tipping to make sure you're not tipping too much/too little.

3) Once you have your drink, be sure to hold on to it until you're done (especially if you're a girl). Never leave a drink unattended and then go back to it. You can never be too careful.

4) Now, when you're in a room packed with people holding drinks, chances are eventually you'll bump into somebody, spill a drink, etc. Most people are pretty easy going, and if you simply apologize you shouldn't have any trouble. If you've spilled somebody else's drink it's probably a good idea to offer to buy them a new one.

5) If somebody you're with buys you a drink, it's customary to return the favor.

6) Be careful not to drink too much. Obviously you're there to have a good time, but you absolutely do not want to be "that guy who puked all over and got thrown out". Know your limits, and don't try to be a hero ;).

7) Before you go out, make sure you and the people you're going with have a plan for getting home. Designated drivers are a great idea if you can get a friend/family member to do it. Otherwise, be sure to bring enough cash for a taxi. If somebody who lives relatively close to the bar(s) you're going to is cool with it, it might be a good idea to have everyone sleep there for the night so you can all split on a cab and save some money. In this case, it's a good idea to have everyone park their cars there and head to the bar in a taxi, come back in one, and have everyone leave with their cars in the morning.

Well, I think that about covers it. If anybody has any further suggestions, feel free to leave them in the comments. Be safe, and have a great time!

Written by: Jay Mykytiuk
Ask a College Kid Guest Writer