I’m in a college town, so there’s quite a bit of advertising by the local bars. Some of the specials are straightforward: dollar bottles, 25 cent drafts, $2.50 Desperate Housewives Martini, etc.
However, a few are still confusing: Rails, Speedrails and “Calls” or “You-Call-It.”
A “rail” drink is when you settle for the house booze. So if you’re not particular about what vodka they use on the “rail,” or a special holding area on the back of the bar, just ask for a “vodka tonic.” You might get Smirnoff, you might get Old Russian Sock Sweat.
Conversely, a “call” drink is when you specify the booze. If you see Old Russian Sock Sweat on the rail, you might want to specify which vodka to use, or you may just be particular and like Absolut Citron, so you order an Absolut Citron and Tonic.
Around here, the term for the no-name house booze is “well” - either way, it’s the cheap stuff that’s right in front of the bartender. The good bartenders can grab the right bottle from their well without even looking at it.
“You Call It” specials are some of the best in the land. If it’s a loose definition of YCI, that means everything behind the bar for whatever the advertised price is. For example you could get an Incredible Hulk or Grey Goose and tonic for $2. Usually however restrictions apply, at my bar we do Friday and Saturday U-Call-It’s form 7-10 for $1, but we hide all the good liquor (Grey Goose, Kettle One, Hennessey etc,) as well as the Red Bull. Still you can go wild and order 5 shots for $5 and if you play your cards right be out inebriated with a tab under $20, including tip.