Is it strange to have a soda at a bar, just because you feel like being around people but don't feel like drinking?

I think you should be able to drink what you like, regardless of what people think about you, since you’re there to make friends and not get wasted.

Not strange at all .

I used to do that very thing . Always drank Ginger Ale and had the bartender or waitress garnish it… just for Looks .

Upon leaving ; a tip was given to the waitress or bartender etc… for helping me with my “Drink” .

You should be able to have whatever you want. Soda is available, so why not?

i’m not worried about looking like i’m not drinking, i don’t need to be drunk to meet people or pretend to act drunk for no reason…. just to clarify. i just don’t want to see odd for not drinking at a bar, because after all, people go to bars to have a real drink. hmm

I don’t think it’s strange at all, i do that because drinking has gotten old…

You could also order a virgin pina colada, margarita, or bloody mary, or soda and lime. Or you could offer to be the designated driver if you’re with a group, and most bars give you free soft drinks.

One of the AA meetings at the church around the corner from my house is for under 25 year olds, and they average 50 or more people at each meeting. There’s nothing odd these days about going out and not drinking.

There are people at bars that are the designated drivers for their friends and they are not drinking, or shouldn’t be. So, no, it shouldn’t look strange that you are have a pop or water and just hanging.

Of course people will think it’s strange, but that’s what explanations are for. You aren’t weird.

I don’t think that people go to bars just to drink. My friends and I are a mixture of some drinking/some not drinking. Kind of depends on what’s going on that night or the next morning. If somebody has to get up early, be on the road, or have to be alert for whatever reason, sometimes choosing not to drink is the option. No one thinks less of that person.

I see I’m going to have to be quicker around here. Nine people just posted great answers leaving me with…You’re not doing anything wrong, don’t concern yourself with what others think.

I never drink, and I love to go out. I met my husband in a night club. It is a little scary that this question needs to be asked, makes me wonder who driving?

Why would you want to hang around a bunch of drunks while you’re sober?

sober me would want to whip drunk me’s ass if we ever met

@JLeslie, no driving… bar is just downstairs.

@Blondesjon So if someone doesn’t drink they cannot go out and be with friends? What I am supposed to do stay at home all of the time? Almost everyone drinks, I would be screwed in the social life department with that type of thinking.

I wouldn’t think it was strange at all if someone didn’t drink liquor.

I doubt I would even realize they weren’t drinking the “hard stuff” unless I heard them order or they told me.

In any event it is far less strange than drinking just because you want to hang out at the bar with your friends.

@Samantha_Rae That’s good.

I think this is ridiculous, why does everyone have to get trashed? You can have a good time without being drunk, if your friends try to get you to drink, then they suck. I don’t know how old you are, but you will find an interesting irony that some adults will say to friends, “just have one, come on,” and then when their children start drinking, because their friend are, they will tell their kids not to do things just because others are and think these pushy friend are a bad influence. Meanwhile, I rarely, as an adult encounter people who try to pressure me to drink. Although, I do get people who quite often ask with curiosity why I don’t. I also encounter people who will choose not to drink because they know I don’t, which I find unnecessary.

Not strange at all. There are alot of people that don’t like to drink much or at all, but still enjoy the socializing.

@JLeslie : this question really isn’t about pressure… I have simply moved to a new place & find that bars can be a good way to meet people, and if nothing else, provide a place to hang out so i’m not alone all night (i have one friend here, who i happened to have met at a bar). I am an adult, by the way.

@Samantha_Rae And you are just surveying what others think? Or, you yourself used to think, or do think it is odd?

No.I’ve done that many times.

@JLeslie : just surveying… i’m not so sure i have an opinion on it, which is why i am curious as to what others think. i don’t know if i’ve ever seen anyone alone and wondered what they were drinking, maybe because it’s usually obvious (ie a glass of wine). and i really don’t mind being that person alone at a bar, although i’ve never done so without a real drink, hence the question :)

@Samantha_Rae I see. I find many people in the collective don’t drink, or are very comfortable with others not drinking. Not sure if our group here represents society at large lol. Good luck in your new city :).

@JLeslie : i’m not sure either, i’m sure it depends on where you are and the age you’re at. and thank youuuu!!!

@Samantha_Rae, I never pay any attention to what anyone else is drinking unless it’s on fire.

No, I wouldn’t find it strange.

I don’t drink currently, and order a soda when I go out to bars (I’m pregnant, so I can’t drink) Even without the fetus, I don’t go to bars to get drunk.

Nope. I rarely go to bars but if I do find myself at one, I order a pepsi. I simply do not like alcohol. I’ve had a couple relatives fuck themselves up b/c of alcohol. One died and the other lost a leg.

No, I don’t think so. It would probably be nice to have something in your hand, as opposed to just sitting there.

It’s actually pretty common. Designated drivers, or people who just aren’t into booze. It’s not strange.

And even if it were, if I’m drunk enough it’s not like I’m gonna care what the hell people are drinking.

No dear.

Good Idea for a designated driver. I don’t drink and therefore do not patronize bars. Who wants to hang with a bunch of drunks anyway. They are other places to meet friends who just want to drink a coke.

@JLeslie . . . didn’t say you couldn’t. just wondered why.

No it isn’t strange.We are social creatures. You can meet people at a bar without having to drink alcohol.

@Blondesjon Sorry if my response was harsh. I guess sometimes I feel a little defensive about the topic :).

No…I often drink water at a bar.

Not at all. I often go to a coffee shop for the same reason, even if I don’t want anything to drink or eat. (I’ll usually just buy a small coffee and drink it slowly.)

@Dr_Dredd I have that problem too. I don’t drink alcohol or coffee. Starbucks does not have one tea I really like, at least I can get a coke at a bar.

@JLeslie Try the Starbucks hot chocolate, it’s really good. :)

@Dr_Dredd I have. Too much fat in it. I guess I could ask it be made with skim. Thanks.

Not at all.I dont always drink when I go out.Hell be the smart sober one instead of the annoying drunk one.

There nothing strange with that at all. Just dont forget to tip the bartender!!!

Strange?well,if you just set around and order nothing then that is strange…:-(

@amcachola I do that also. Sometimes I have nothing, especially at dance clubs.

Fair enough…

If you tip well, they really don’t care what you drink.