HOW-TO: Master the Art of the Casual Drink

June 16th, 2009 • 2009 Write-off, How-To

Photo by Will Pate

Welcome to the first piece in what will be my weekly how-to series here on DanHocking.com. My aim is to provide some (arguably) practical advise on things both technology-related and not, based on my life experiences and general skill-set. As I continue to write these pieces, any and all feedback is welcome.

Today’s article covers something that I see members of my generation struggle with: the art of casually drinking. As we progress from our irresponsible late-teens and early-twenties, the role that drinking plays in our lives undergoes a significant change. This is partially out of necessity, as our bodies can’t handle the debauchery as much as they used to, especially in combination with the stressors of a full-time job. However, casual drinking also becomes a regular habit for many, for their professional and personal lives put them in situations where that is the “socially” acceptable thing to do. Think about it; is it appropriate to over-imbibe in a meeting with clients, an after-work gathering of co-workers, or on a first date? As I’ve watched friends and peers struggle with making the move back to drinking casually, and subsequently show up to work bleary-eyed and hungover, I figured that I’d share a few tips that have helped me really get past the “drinking to get drunk” phase of my life.

Don’t Drink Your “Trusted Favourite”
Okay, you’ve arrived at a venue that you’ve never been at before, you’re presented with a drink list that has a bunch of specialties, so you just figure that you’d order your old standby – the drink that you grew up with, the one that you still order during your nights out on the town. Stop. If you’re looking to put your casual drinking situation in jeopardy, consuming the drink that you’re used to drinking en masse is the perfect way to do that. You’re already used to drinking a large portion of your favourite, so it’s easy to fall back into that trap. Casual drinking gives you the opportunity to try something new and different, and it also gives you the option to consume something that may not be possible to drink a lot of them. Often, I’ll grab a Caesar when I’m casually drinking; the strong flavour of the clamato, plus the saltiness of the rim and the beverage itself ensures both that I won’t consume it quickly, and that you simply can’t drink that much.

Let the Situation Dictate Your Drink
Like I said, casual drinking gives you the opportunity to try something new, but your drink choice is dependant on the situation around this drink – both who you’re with, and where you’re at. A good example? If you’re out for a date at a nice, classy restaurant, ordering the cheapest beer on tap probably isn’t your best option. Your choice of beverage helps dictate the tone of your evening in a lot of ways, including how your company looks at you. A smart drink order will go a long way in making a good impression. In doubt? At a restaurant, order a glass of wine that’s at least in the middle of the price list, a standard martini, or a liquor on the rocks. (Beer can be ordered if you’re at a venue where craft beer is the focus, but should be avoided otherwise. The Beer Bistro in Toronto is a good example of where ordering a beer is encouraged.) At a bar or pub, a draft beer, cocktail (in a tall glass; see below) or liquor on the rocks works well with the casual atmosphere around you. And there’s no real choice but a beer if you’re on a patio – although you can occasionally get away with a frozen beverage as well.

Pick an Appropriate Venue
The venue ends up setting a lot of the mood for a casual drink. Because you’re not overindulging – and thus will remember every moment of the night – the venue choice will have an impact on your experience for the night. If you want to have a one-on-one conversation, you should probably avoid a loud venue. Patios are perfect for the after-work connection, but don’t exactly have that first date feeling to them. (Full disclosure: I’ve had a few first dates on patios, some of which have even worked, so take a read on your situation.) Be conscious of the venue, as well as the desires of what your company will be looking for. Again, like not drinking your trusted going-out drink, it’s likely best to avoid venues where you regularly go for night-time social activities, lest you get caught in that trap. If you’re from Toronto like I am, you have a lot of different choices for venues; take advantage of that fact, and try something new.

Have a Purpose and a Time Limit for the Drink – and Stick to It
This is where you may be making the argument about losing the “casual” feel of a casual drink – and you might be right. I’m not saying that you have to go into a casual drink with someone with the same rigorous goals that many of us approach a business meeting, but knowing WHY you’re going to meet up with someone is a useful way to avoid falling into the trap of drinking too much. Give yourself a reason besides the drink itself, as that on its lonesome is a slippery slope towards overindulging. If you have a goal as to what you’d like to accomplish, you can reach it and part ways. The longer you hang around the venue – especially a bar versus a restaurant – the more you will be pressured into the upsell.

Ordering a Cocktail? Get it in a Tall Glass
Okay, so you’ve decided that you feel like ordering a gin and tonic as your drink of choice for the evening. Do yourself a favour, and get it in a tall glass, especially if it’s still during the summer months – the heat makes you consume liquid faster. The tall glass will result in more liquid, which will give you more time with that single drink. This is an easy trick to stretch out the time you have with one drink, and is an old standby of mine in these situations.

Getting a Beer? Get a Stout
Sometimes pub food with a good friend is what is called for, and there can be no real choice than a beer at these venues. There’s nothing wrong with that; pubs are my favourite non-summer venue, and there are plenty of good beer options. If you want to make a solid casual drink choice – and likely gain the respect of the bartender – order a stout beer on draft, such as a Guinness. Stout beers are thicker and more bitter due to the brewing process they undergo, so it takes longer to finish them than your standard lager or ale. This process also involves less preservatives, which means that these drinks are actually healthier for you – probably for the best to balance out the caloric intake from the pub grub itself.

Avoid the Drink Specials
We all know the allure of $3.00 pints, or $4.50 2oz martinis, and can likely name a few venues that offer deals like that on a day of the week. If you’re looking to casually drink, avoid these venues like the plague. Why? You’re likely going to be surrounded by people that aren’t there to have just one or two drinks – it’s amazing how specials can bring people out – and that’s going to create an atmosphere of rowdiness and debauchery, which is only too easy to get swept up in. Before you know it, you’ll have spent more than if you had gone to a full-price venue, and you’ll be drunk – leading to a total fail of an evening.

The casual drink is a great way to socialize in both the personal and professional worlds. For the 20-something, by being aware of your situation, and ordering your drink smartly, you can convey a sense of maturity and worldly knowledge, which is bound to impress your company – or, if you’re having a drink with me, at least allow me to not lose respect for you… Kidding, of course. Feel free to leave your thoughts and tips in the comments.

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