How to order a drink ?!
Answers: i ve never gone abroad ...and in my country any kind of alcoholic drink is banned ,,,so imagine i m in a bar right now and waitress comes closer and askes me to order ..what should i say ? it might sound like a ridiculous question but the thing is that i wanna look professional and i don't like to let other know this s my first time ...for example when i d like to have tequila , rum ..whatever ...should i say " i d like to have a glas of rum " ? please be elaborative ...write me exact sentences and all that ...thanks a zillion and more
Hi Max, reading through all the other answers they seem to have forgotten the most important thing - if you are nice and friendly, the bar staff will be more than happy to help you. I would not recommend just saying "rum and coke" because that is not particularily polite and there is no guarantee what you're going to get (single / double / ice / diet coke...).
Start by saying Hi, smiling, then say - if this is what you'd like!! - "I'll have a single rum, with coke, and (no) ice, please". Alternatively, if you don't know what you'd like - ask the barstaff for a recommendation.
I don't think you should start on the wine - as there are a lot more units in wine (up to 3.5 in a glass), however, spirits are 1 unit a single shot (always specify if you want a single, as a lot of places will serve you a double otherwise).
If you are ordering beer, and you ask for "A Stella" for instance you will get a pint. If you want a half or a bottle you should specify. When ordering beer or wine you can always ask to have a little taste before you decide - although if the bar is busy you might get a funny look from the other people waiting to be served (just being honest!!).
Most importantly, just have fun and once you find something you like you'll be sorted!! Don't mix too much in the same evening, a good rule of thumb is stick to the same colour alcohol (ie don't mix light and dark spirits / wines / beers).
A popular drink is Rum and Coke, so say I would like to have a Rum and Coke please....Or say I would like to have a beer. etc. Or just ask, they are mostly always friendly because they want your business.
Ask to look at the cocktail menu, there will be a list of Fancy names and whats in them written under.
So just choose one and say I'll have a "Pina Colada" for instance or check out what beers they have behind the bar and say I will have a Budweiser or something.
Or if its wine say a glass of Dry white wine , never order medium or sweet wines.
Just order a "House Wine".
It probably will not get you drunk like the hard liquor since it's your first tasting of alcohol.
And wine have some health benefits.
"Jameson, on the rocks"
"I'd like a rum and coke"
If the restaurant has a drink menu with specialized cocktails, feel free to ask her what she'd recommend.
"Margarita, salt rim"
Ask about their wine, beer, or scotch selections.
Have you had much experience with alcohol at all? I'd go with asking her to suggest specifics based upon the selection they have, and then just picking something off the list she rattles off to you. For example, "I'll have the ____"
Good luck and have fun!
you need to know what you want to drink. For example you say I'll have a rum and coke please. If you ask for beer or wine you will often be asked what type. You can ask what is available and choose.
People don't normally have spirits by themselves it is normally mixed with a soft drink ; as in bourban and coke, rum and coke, vodka and orange, vodka and lemonade, brandy and dry (gingerale).
'Can I have one rum please!'
Except they would probably ask if you want it mixed with coke, or another mixer such as ginger beer.
So I would say
'Can I have one rum and coke please?'
or
'Can I have one rum, on the rocks please' (meaning with ice but no mixer'
or
'Can I have one rum, neat, no ice please?' (no mixer).
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I wouldn't worry about it though, you can ask for whatever you like, in whatever way you like.
If you visit the UK, you have to say please whenever you ask for something though. I think Americans are more rude and they don't bother!
Don't worry about whole sentences. Just state the name of the drink you want and any alterations you want to that drink.
Such as: Rum and coke with ice (or on the rocks), a shot of tequila, long island ice tea, etc. If you want a fancy drink, just say Strawberry Daquiri, margarita, etc. No need to say more until she brings the drink and then you can say thank you and be done about it. If it's beer, just say "a pitcher", a draft, or a bottle, and then give specifics about what brand of beer you want. Or you can ask the waitress what the house beer is or what types they offer. When you hear the one you want, just tell her "I'll have that" and that'll be it. No worries.
For any future problems, listen to those around you and copy their style. It should get you through whatever you need.
Good luck.
PS: I say this because that's how everyone does it where I am from.
as your system is not used to it I would order only a light beer which has less alcohol. If you drink spirit mixes it will be very easy to see that you are not used to it as strong alcohol will disorientate you very quickly (you will become dizzy , slur your words, and may lose your balance). It is difficult to say how your reaction will be as people react differently just a warning as you may not even be aware of the problems when they happen !
Find an exsperienced drinker to go with. Let them order but don't try to keep pace with them.
where are you going???????,just ask for the drinks menu and point to them what youd like they should have the menu in english too,
Most people order this from me in the pub.
Fosters/Carling ect - and/or Lime/Blackcurrent/top (lemonade top)
JD and coke (Jack daniels)
Rum and coke
House Wine red or white
G&T - Gin and tonic
Baileys on ice
There is loads, it all depends what alcohol you prefer.
If rum is what you like, then a simple "Rum and Coke" will be just fine.
Max,
Dont stress, anywhere that serves alcohol is a venue that ideally is there to help you have a good time and they are not there to try to pick up on your mistakes.
As a general rule state:
1. The spirit
2. The word "and"
3. The mixer
ie. Bourbon and Coke, Vodka and Orange, JD and Coke.
Spirits are rarely consumed without a mixer, for instance bourbon is almost always served with coke as are almost all other dark spirits (rum and scotch are the 2 main other dark spirits). Light spirits you usually order with either a juice or a clear soft drink. ie. Vodka & Lemonade, or a bacardi & Orange.
If you are really concerned about looking foolish decide what you want before you go in. My suggestion if you are not an alcohol drinker is to stay away from beer as most people dislike the taste when they first have it and it will be difficult for you to drink. Instead ask for say a "JD and Coke". The JD stands for Jack Daniels, which is a Tennessee whisky similar to bourbon. Stick with it all night long and no one will notice.
Tip the person serving you as well (I mean at least the price of a drink probably more depending on what country you are in) and they will make sure not to make you look stupid as they want more of your money!!
Smile, enjoy your night out and last of all, Cheers.