Poll of the Day > Would you go to a bar/pub alone?

(+) Yeah! (+)

As some of you may know I have zero friends and I'm introverted however this doesn't stop me wanting to do more social things at times. I've never actually gone to the pub/bar alone as I only over bother going out for drinks if my bro is available. I've however been contemplating doing it regardless of if he''s available or not. Thoughts?
---

I used to when I was single, but I was also within walking distance of 8 bars.
---

Why not? Ive been thinking of doing this, as well, tbh...
---

nope

wouldn't go with friends either
---

Nah I don't like bars

Getting drunk with strangers isn't my thing

Much rather smoke at home or a friends house with just a few people that I've known for awhile
---

Bar? Nope
Pub, yeah, I used to but I knew the owner.

LinkPizza posted...

Why not? Ive been thinking of doing this, as well, tbh...

I mean I'd probably get bored of each place but I've plenty of pubs/bars near me so nothing stops me going on a pub crawl of sorts.
---

I thought bars were FOR people to go out by themselves.

Personally I'm not sure I'd be in a bar to begin with.

No I don't go to bars or pubs unless it is a very special circumstance, and so far there hasn't been one.
Alcoholism is destructive and not for me.
---

DPsx7 posted...

I thought bars were FOR people to go out by themselves.

Why would you think that?

Judgmenl posted...

Alcoholism is destructive and not for me.

Enjoying a alcoholic beverage =/= alcoholism.
---

wwinterj25 posted...

Enjoying a alcoholic beverage =/= alcoholism.

Yes it is. Don't tell me otherwise.
Your birth parents weren't both abusive drunkards.
---

Judgmenl posted...

Yes it is. Don't tell me otherwise.

I will continue to tell you otherwise as it actually isn't. Now if you become addicted to it then sure.

Judgmenl posted...

Your birth parents weren't both abusive drunkards.

Explains a lot.
---

Yes, I've done this before and I've gone to movies, dinner, etc alone.
---

wwinterj25 posted...

Enjoying a alcoholic beverage =/= alcoholism.

For some people, it's a very slippery slope and a fast ride to the bottom if they drink at all. Not everyone is like you.

On topic, I go to bars alone on occasion. I either just talk to the bartenders or write down whatever I hear other people talking about if it interests me. Learned an oddly high number of recipies this way.
---

DPsx7 posted...

I thought bars were FOR people to go out by themselves.

Personally I'm not sure I'd be in a bar to begin with.

You can. Normally, I like to go with friends. But everyone there are pretty much friends. Most of us know each other from school or through other people, so...

Judgmenl posted...

Yes it is. Don't tell me otherwise.
Your birth parents weren't both abusive drunkards.

GanglyKhan posted...

For some people, it's a very slippery slope and a fast ride to the bottom if they drink at all. Not everyone is like you.

It can be, but is that the norm? I would think not, tbh...
---

GanglyKhan posted...

For some people, it's a very slippery slope and a fast ride to the bottom if they drink at all. Not everyone is like you.

If you're are just having a few drinks now and then it's not alcoholism period. Obviously if you're drinking everyday and/or have alcohol issues to begin with then sure. For the record alcoholics tend to not enjoy said beverages too.
---

Where do you live tc?
---

FatalAccident posted...

Where do you live tc?

Somewhere in the U.K., I believe...
---

wwinterj25 posted...

As some of you may know I have zero friends and I'm introverted however this doesn't stop me wanting to do more social things at times. I've never actually gone to the pub/bar alone as I only over bother going out for drinks if my bro is available. I've however been contemplating doing it regardless of if he''s available or not. Thoughts?

Do it.

I'm extremely introverted too, but I do have a few friends. Putting yourself in uncomfortable social situations can be good for you.
Going to bars is fun with friends, but when you go to those kinds of places with friends you don't mingle with many people besides them. Going by yourself will allow you to meet new people and give you new experiences.

FatalAccident posted...

Where do you live tc?

Sheffield in the UK. Northerners like myself do enjoy our pubs.

Xfma100 posted...

I'm extremely introverted too, but I do have a few friends. Putting yourself in uncomfortable social situations can be good for you.

I've no issue on that front per say but yes I suppose it would build confidence.

Xfma100 posted...

Going to bars is fun with friends, but when you go to those kinds of places with friends you don't mingle with many people besides them. Going by yourself will allow you to meet new people and give you new experiences.

That's a good point. Although I don't plan on talking to anyone I'm not against the idea and I certainly won't get that possibility sat at home.
---

yes

LinkPizza posted...

FatalAccident posted...

Where do you live tc?

Somewhere in the U.K., I believe...

yeah was wondering where in particular

Don't know sheffield that well but was just gonna say if you're in easy commute of central london people do it all the time

Hell some of my friends swear its the best way to pick up girls - going to a bar on your own

I probably would myself, but not necessarily to pick up girls
---

Absolutely! Sing karaoke, dance, make friends. I usually don't drink alcohol, have coffee or diet cola. A beer on occasion, or an Irish Coffee but one is my limit.
---

FatalAccident posted...

Don't know sheffield that well but was just gonna say if you're in easy commute of central london people do it all the time

Bit of a distance but not impossible. Still I wouldn't travel down to London to just got to a bar/pub. I was however going to meet this chick from Croydon once but she was a slut so that never happened thankfully.

FatalAccident posted...

Hell some of my friends swear its the best way to pick up girls - going to a bar on your own

I suppose being alone would show them how pathetic I really am so I could get their pity and it might just work!
---

I don't drink, but I might go to one to eat, sure.

For that reason, a pub moreso than a bar, I suppose.
---

I did a few times when I was younger, bars/pubs are just not as fun unless you have friends to socialize with.
---

Going alone is the best way to pick up girls. Just try to let it happen organically.
---

I never have but maybe I will one of these days, there are some cool looking local pubs right next to where I live
---

Dikitain posted...

I did a few times when I was younger, bars/pubs are just not as fun unless you have friends to socialize with.

See I feel I might find it dull and wonder what's the point? Suppose I won't know until I've tried though and going in for a few beers won't do any harm.
---

Far-Queue posted...

I don't drink, but I might go to one to eat, sure.

For that reason, a pub moreso than a bar, I suppose.

I did that with my cousin once. We went to a pub and got food. But it was like half bottle wine night. So, we got a bottle.
---

I have no problem with it. I already travel alone
---

Ogurisama posted...

I have no problem with it. I already travel alone

Youd be good by yourself, though. You could use the simpsons to and friends... probably...
---

Pubs are not so common in the states right? I actually love country pubs more than the city night life for the most part. Not sure if it's old age creeping up, the fact I'm a introvert or both but eh. The only downside is going to those pubs makes it very unlikely I'm going to meet folk to hit on if I actually bothered to do so. That's where the city life comes in though. I live on the edge of my city so if I go one way I get countryside and the other I get city life.
---

Pubs are becoming increasingly popular in the States. They're sort of trendy spots now.
---

Far-Queue posted...

Pubs are becoming increasingly popular in the States. They're sort of trendy spots now.

Interesting.
---

Yup. I used to do it all the time but now it's only once a week.
---

I wouldn't go to a bar/pub alone, but it's less out of social anxiety or being judged for being alone and more just because I don't really drink alone period (I'm a social drinker, and even that somewhat rarely at this point).

And if I AM going to sit around drinking alone for some reason, I'd rather do it at home where the liquor isn't $5+ dollars a glass plus tip.

This isn't like going to the movie theater alone where there's at least SOME benefit to it (ie, seeing the movie). Bars and clubs are where I go when OTHER people want to go out as a group, not a place I want to go to just hang out.

As for going to the bar to meet people, it seems like a fairly weak and inefficient way to do it in the digital age. If you don't have all that many friends and you're trying to make new friends, you might be better off thinking about your interests or major aspects of your personality and lifestyle and tracking down groups that cater to those things. Do you enjoy anime? Try and find an anime club to join, so you can talk about the thing you like with other people who like it. Enjoy playing Magic: the Gathering? Consider going to tournaments or local gaming sessions, even if you're only planning to play casually rather than competitively. You're far more likely to forge lasting friendships with people who share your interests than you are with people who's only thing in common with you is proximity to a specific bar ad a desire to get drunk.

Sure, the alcohol at the bar can act as a social lubricant, but it can also turn some people into messes or make them more stand-offish. And while YOU may be at the bar alone and looking to make new connections, most of the other people there are going to be with THEIR friends, and thus not necessarily open to inviting strangers in and getting to know them. And anyone else there alone might have issues of their own (like the guy who just got dumped by his girlfriend and is drinking his misery away, who will probably spend the entire night complaining and crying on your shoulder).

If you have a local library, see if they have activity nights - my library does, and they have all sorts of different things, from video games and anime for younger people to arts and crafts programs and classical music performances for older people. If they offer something like that, you might find something that interests you, and in turn be able to meet and socialize with people there (where you'll have a built in topic of discussion to break the ice). If you don't have a local library, you might have a local civic center or other community center that does similar things.

The other thing to consider is trying to find an Internet dating service that focuses more on friendships than romantic relationships (they exist), and see if you can find other people in your area looking to make new friends. Sure, there's a lot of potential pitfalls there as well, and it's probably harder for someone introverted to make new friends regardless, but it might pay off for you.


---

I wouldn't be drinking to make friends no. I'm not a fan of drinking at home alone to be honest.
---

Far-Queue posted...

Pubs are becoming increasingly popular in the States. They're sort of trendy spots now.

What is a pub exactly? A place that sells food and booze? If so that's all there was in Virginia as bars/clubs themself where banned and majority of profit had to be from food to legally see alcohol.

So best you could get to a club was a place that was a restaurant all week long buy cleared the main floor on weekends for a dance floor. But most places just stuck to being a restaurant that also sold beer.
---

I've gone to bars alone, restaurants alone, concerts alone

If I want to enjoy a place, I'll go to it
---

mooreandrew58 posted...

So best you could get to a club was a place that was a restaurant all week long buy cleared the main floor on weekends for a dance floor.

Those are usually called supper clubs.
---

supergamer19 posted...

mooreandrew58 posted...

So best you could get to a club was a place that was a restaurant all week long buy cleared the main floor on weekends for a dance floor.

Those are usually called supper clubs.

I actually worked at bar and grill that did this but they only did it on Thursdays I think. There for awhile they also hosted guitar hero nights. Place was overly pricey for the area I lived so I guess they where doing anything to drum up business.
---

I cannot drink alcohol because it would mess with my medication, but I would probably go to bars alone otherwise.
---

mooreandrew58 posted...

What is a pub exactly? A place that sells food and booze?

In short yes. Often more cosy than bars though. One of my locals has a log fire and very comfy seating too. Much less busy unless it's it's a event happening and I love pub quizzes. They also tend to stock things from local businesses.
---

i don't drink, so no
---

I'm a teetotaler, so why would I ever go to a bar alone?

I do occasionally go with friends who want me to be the DD, and the good bars give me all the free Shirley Temples and Roy Rodgers I can drink.

I went to a bar alone this afternoon.

3 friends were bartending. 4 acquaintances were drinking. One friend handed me a new hat, Golden Road Brewing.

Overall, a good time.
---

Depends, is the food good enough to swing by for lunch/dinner? I wouldn't go drinking alone but I'd go for the food.
---

Isn't that how people meet girls? I heard?
---

SunWuKung420 posted...

I went to a bar alone this afternoon.

3 friends were bartending. 4 acquaintances were drinking. One friend handed me a new hat, Golden Road Brewing.

Overall, a good time.

Wow, you alcoholic.
---