How to Order Drinks at a Bar with Style and Ease

Suppose you are new to the cocktail bar and don’t know how to order drinks at a bar. Then you are in the right place. We will guide you on how to order drinks at a bar softly, naturally, and like a pro! When you’re young, everything is a lot more straightforward; when you go out to drink, you get whatever is most affordable or readily available.

Your main objective is to get wasted; you don’t give a damn about the flavor, quality, or anything else. We all have to go through that stage of life, and it’s all adorable and normal when you’re young. But if you’re a little older, you should start watching what you drink. Many people dislike consuming alcohol due to negative encounters with terrible-tasting drinks, and alcohol generally has a bad reputation. 

How To Use English To Order Drinks At The Bar Like A Pro

1. Start with a Greeting

When you approach the bar, a friendly greeting goes a long way. You can simply say:

• “Hi, how are you?”
• “Hello there!”
• “Good evening!”

2. Ask for the Drink Menu

To see what’s available, you can ask:

• “Could I see the drink menu, please?”
• “Do you have a drinks list?”
• “What kind of beverages do you offer?”

3. Ordering a Drink

When you’re ready to order, here are some phrases to help you out:

• “I’ll have a [drink name], please.”
• “Could I get a [drink name], please?”
• “May I order a [drink name], please?”
• “I’d like to try a [drink name], please.”

4. Specify Your Preference

If you want your drink prepared a certain way, use these phrases:

• “Could I have it with/without ice?”
• “I prefer it with a twist of lemon, please.”
• “Make it a double, please.”
• “Can you go easy on the sugar, please?”

5. Check for Recommendations

If you’re not sure what to try, ask the bartender for their suggestion:

• “What’s your special cocktail?”
• “Which drink is the most popular here?”
• “Any recommendations for something fruity?”

6. Confirm the Order

To ensure the bartender gets your order right, you can say:

• “Just to confirm, I ordered a [drink name].”
• “That’s a [drink name], right?”

7. Requesting Payment

When it’s time to pay, you can say:

• “Could I get the check, please?”
• “Can I have the bill, please?”
• “How much is it?”

8. Saying Cheers

Don’t forget to raise your glass and say cheers before taking that first sip:

• “Cheers!”
• “Here’s to a great night!”
• “To good times!”

Bonus: Bartender’s Responses: You might hear these common responses from the bartender:

• “Coming right up!”
• “Sure, one [drink name] for you.”
• “Got it! One [drink name] on the way.”
• “Enjoy your [drink name]!”

The Simplest Cocktails

What do you think are the simplest cocktails? It’s mixed drinks, cocktails made mainly of two ingredients: one alcohol, and one soft drink or juice.  And the first rule of ordering drinks at a bar is to name the liquor and then the soft drink when ordering mixed drinks.  If you want to drink Jack and Coke, you’ll order it like that, not vice versa, like Coke and Jack. The same goes for Vodka Red Bull or Gin and Tonic. It makes sense when you think about the preparation, where bartenders always pour the alcohol first and the other ingredient second.  If you have a specific brand preference for liquors, you should name it. If you want a Gin and Tonic, and the gin to be Hendrick’s, you’ll order it like Hendrick’s Gin and Tonic. And the same applies to other mixed drinks. You will receive the lowest quality option available without selecting liquor when ordering a drink at a bar.

Clarify how you want your Liquor and Mixer

The first step in making the perfect mixed drink or cocktail is selecting the type of liquor or spirit. Liquors are often divided into two categories: clear and dark.

Popular clear liquors include tequila, which is derived from the center of agave plants, gin, which tastes fresh and is flavored by juniper berries, and vodka, which is a neutral-tasting spirit usually made from grains. These are a diverse base for mixed beverages and cocktails, and they usually taste cleaner and smoother. Because it can make a wide range of mixed beverages, ordering vodka drinks is an obvious initial decision. 

Best Drinks To Order At A Bar 

House Wine 

You’ve undoubtedly heard about house wine at some restaurant or bar you’ve visited. But what is it exactly? Essentially, the less costly wine at the bar or restaurant is called “house wine.”

Draft or Tap Beer

And have you ever tried draft beer? It can also be called on tap or draught. Beer pulled from a metal barrel, or keg, is known as draft beer. You can also find many premium and high-quality craft beers on tap. And if you choose to drink draft beer, you are not compromising on its quality. Many people even prefer draft beer over bottled or canned ones.

Well Drink 

A well drink is a mixed drink composed of the bar’s least expensive spirits. That’s why we emphasized earlier that you need to specify which brand you would like if you want to avoid getting the cheapest.

Call Drink 

The opposite of a well drink is a call drink. It’s a mix made with a specific liquor you requested.

Premium Drink

A premium drink is similar to a call drink, but it’s premium if made with the most expensive liquor. Sometimes it’s also called a top-shelf drink. 

Steps to Order a Drink in a Cocktail Bar

Choose Your Drink 

When deciding what drink to order, make sure you do not stand directly at the bar. This will allow those who know what they want to place their order and prevent overcrowding. If you don’t know what you want, would like a recommendation, or have a question for the bartender, then wait until he or she is not busy.  

When placing your drink order, be prepared to answer questions as to how you would like it made, and always have a plan B drink in case the bar doesn’t have what you asked for. 

Paying For Your Drinks 

You can pay for your drinks in a number of ways, but be sure to be prepared when the time comes. You can open a bar tab if you’re paying with a credit or debit card. At the conclusion of the evening, the bartender will charge your card and add your drinks to the account. Additionally, you have the option to pay with cash or a card each time you place an order.

Tipping 

Tipping is always important, but even more so if you plan to become a regular. It is customary to leave a tip of 15-20% of the total. 

Avoid using these questions

You simply shouldn’t ask some questions. For instance, here is a list:

• Don’t expect your glass to be filled when you order wine. Therefore, avoid asking the bartender, “Why isn’t my glass full?”
• When you ask a bartender, “What’s good here?” you’re essentially inviting them to respond, “Everything.” Asking them what their favorite beverage is or what they would suggest to you might be a more appropriate substitute.
• It can be a little awkward to ask what’s inexpensive. You would be better off rephrasing the question as, “Do you guys have any specials available?” given the high cost of drinks.

Learn the lingo

You’ll be more successful in a local Australian pub if you know basic bar jargon. Knowing the difference between “on the rocks” and “neat” will help you place orders like an expert.

• The following terms are frequently used in pubs and bars:
• On the rocks—that is, with ice
• Neat: without ice, at room temperature. This could also be referred to as “straight up” by some. In whiskey consumption, the word “neat” is frequently employed.
• A dirty martini has more olive juice in it. Your martini gets dirtier the more olive juice you request.
• Well, drink – this tells the bartender there isn’t a preference in brand, and to give you the cheapest option
• Schooner – these are glass sizes that serve 450mls of drink 
• Pot – these are glass sizes that serve 285mls of drink