Why it’s not so bad to drink alone. Sometimes. Maybe.
Originally published 3/22/11
“I’ll see you at ____________ at 7:00” she says.
Great. I’ll be arriving around 6:30 then.
Some say drinking alone is a sign that you’ve got a problem. I’d argue that the inability to be by yourself with only your own thoughts for company, all while responsibly enjoying an adult beverage, is more worthy of concern.
There are two major Rubicons that are crossed on the way to full adulthood:
1. You stop doing your laundry at a laundromat*
Eventually you obtain access to a washer & dryer which aren’t next to a sink where homeless guys wash their hair.
2. You stop looking at alcohol as a path to intoxication.
Some never saw alcohol as a path to intoxication, but… you get my drift.
If you’re not drinking to get drunk, then why is having a drink by yourself so bad? It’s noisy out there. Having a bourbon or a pint with no one at all is one way to muffle that din. Yes meditation is most surely better for you. But it’s not as tasty. Here’s a few more guidelines for pulling this off the right way:
- Go somewhere familiar.
- No cell activity. Disconnect even if it’s for a few minutes.
- Don’t talk the bartenders ear off.
- Actually enjoy your drink. Pay attention to it.
- Keep it to one drink. And drink it slow.
- Take a note card and a pen. You never know what you’ll come up with and want to write down.
- Do this right before something (like meeting your date) or right after (a long hike)
It can be strangely enjoyable. Just you, your beer, and that’s it. It’s extra enjoyable if you know you’ve got someone you like quite a bit on the way. Going from just you, to a better form of you because you’re with them, ain’t a bad way to wrap up a day. A shared dessert of course, will make it all the better.
..
*Not always the case. Especially if you live in a huge city
Become a scotch drinker.
For me, Scotch works during the colder months but not during summer. 18 year old Ardbeg and heat don’t mix.
Summer is G&T time, during winter Scotch reigns supreme.
Hear, hear.
Julius Caesar didn’t need washing machines at the Rubicon.
Well of course not. All his purple robes were obviously dry clean only.
Loved this article. Turning 21 in a few months and there is a bar that I pass every day as I go home, or rather a pub. I look in, see the wall with it’s selection of beers, see my favorite, know they have my favorite whiskey and just can’t wait to be sitting there waiting for the lady to call me up to head out.
moved out of town and i gotta say this is occasionally very satisfying. sometimes i even get spoken to and i meet new people.
I love doing this. Especially when I’ve got writers block. Finding the dim, back corner of my local pub, and sitting with my beer and notebook is perfect for the people watching.
I have absolutely no problem going for a drink or two by myself. Usually it will be to brew pubs or bars that have a variety of Gins on hand.
I will usually go when it is relatively quiet so I can hear myself think and enjoy the drink.
Have done this a bunch of times, its remarkably satisfying and helps cultivate a real “man of the world” swagger and aura.
have always been a fan of the introspective cocktail, and couldn’t agree more that every once in a while you need a quiet reflective time and place. A good scotch and some good thoughts. Don’t get me wrong, it can be a good opportunity to converse and meet new people, but the mood has to be right for that. Give me a good old fashioned cocktail lounge with low lights or a confortable pub.
I realize that this post is from several months ago, however, I experienced this for the first time last weekend. I had planned to meet with friends at a downtown pub, but found myself in the area about half an hour beforehand. Recalling this post, I sat down at the bar and ordered a drink. At first it felt a bit awkward drinking alone, but after a few minutes I realized that no one around noticed or cared, and it was quite nice to sit alone with my thoughts for a while before my friends arrived.
I like Maker’s Mark a lot, but no their Maker’s 46. Anybody got any recommendations for a step up from maker’s mark? (I sip it with no ice or water by the way.)
In the realm of Bourbons, most bars will have Knob Creek or Woodford Reserve. I’m partial to Woodford — tell the bartender to drop in a twist of orange rind to mix things up.
another nod to Woodford Reserve, its like the “spring water” of bourbons imo, nice clean, smooth, pure taste.
a lot of people would suggest Knob Creek, but I’ve never really been a fan. Also, if you didn’t like 46 you might not like Knob Creek. (Maker’s Mark even goes as far as to suggest that Knob Creek is the same bourbon as Jim Beam, just aged another year or so, not sure if its true, but wouldn’t be surprised I guess?)
Basil Hayden’s is another real smooth choice, its a lower proof than most which probably accounts for the smoothness.
This is a real good (entertaining) read on bourbons: http://philalawyer.net/2009/07/bourbon/
i usually arrive early for my dates and have a drink in order to settle myself down.
However being a military man myself, i quite often find myself alone in new cities whether for a few years or a few weeks and over that amount of time you learn to be on the look out for decent places to sit down and have a drink.
If it is a decent place that stays busy on weekend nights, going during the day to have a bite to eat and a drink or two is a good way to get to know the bartenders incase you happen to take a date or a group of friends to the bar at some point in the future.
Women also will have no problem talking to you if yo uare alone having a drink or two or a meal. If you look sharp and dont drink yourself stupid you can come off as a mysterious man of the town who always looks like he is coming or going somewhere. Also for us single guys…not a bad way to practice your conversation skills with women, heck you might even pick up a bartender or two for a date!
The first time I tried this it was super awkward, mainly because I am the person to get anxious while waiting 5 minutes for friends to arrive. So, to sit at a bar by myself for 45 minutes before a date sounded crazy. However, I was able to get past my initial uneasiness and realize how relaxing this activity can be! I stuck with the Old Fashioned, just to keep it classy. Now this is common practice for myself. Thanks for the suggestion Joe. It has changed the way I operate on the weekends.
And Ngdoms is right. This is a great way to meet and become familiar with the bartender, a relationship that pays off huge on a crowded Friday night. Your date will be amazed that the bartender skips over a few people to not only take your order, but greet you by name. Talk about style points…
Try my favorite, Russell’s Reserve 10 Year Old. (Mr. Jimmie Russell is the master distiller at Wild Turkey) This small batch bourbon will transform any Maker’s Mark aficionado, although might be hard to find too far north of the Mason Dixon.
BTW, even allowing for misspelling and syntax, can’t decipher “but no their Maker’s 46.” Anyone?
It’s impossible for me to drink at a bar alone. Every time I’ve tried I end up making a new friend. 😉
Watch Quantum of Solace. Bond knows how to drink alone.
On a $10000 per ticket airplane bar!
“But not their Maker’s 46”?
I’m drinking a delicious beer by myself… unfortunately I’m also studying for law school exams. Not sure whether this is the right or wrong way to drink alone.
Buffalo Trace if you can find in is a great bourbon and reasonably priced. There’s a place in Chicago that buys it by the barrel.
Good luck!
I really like the idea of going out for a drink on your own, which I think is a great chance to reflect on your day and life in a different setting with other impressions flowing into your mind. I even do this, although I don’t drink a zip of alcohol. Might seem even more unusual though, but I still do it from time to time.
Also it is great to know, one can enjoy himself alone with having to rely on others for entertainment. Might even improve one’s social life as one can better calibrate when to be alone and when to be surrounded by people thus avoiding to enter social situations when one is not in the mood to do so which would most likely worsen your status with others. On the other hand, when you are out and feel there is some spark left in you, you still can call up your friends or even make new ones at a location.
Johny Walker or Jameson on the rocks.
so scotch is the way to go?
I don’t know about drinking, but it’s the *only* way to study.
I’m a chic doing a bit of research on why people might drink – alone or otherwise and I just wanted to comment that I like your style here.
I myself have chosen a classy bar and sat myself down to ponder my thoughts over a sparkling or red, note book handy of course, but nice to just observe and be quiet and enjoy… a mediation in it’s own right. Cheers Joe!
Ally
ah but a dram of Scapa on a warm summers eve is delightful
A late suggestion, but try the bourbons from Buffalo Trace distillery. This includes, of course, Buffalo Trace; but they also make Eagle Rare and Blanton’s, which are worth a try.