# Drinkers: How many in a normal night of drinking? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 13, 2012, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drinkers-how-many-in-a-normal-night-of-drinking/643879 "2012-12-13T00:40:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![DoctorJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctorj/32/2904_2.png) [@DoctorJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DoctorJ)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2012, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drinkers-how-many-in-a-normal-night-of-drinking/643879/21 "2012-12-13T14:04:28Z")
Depends on which “average” we’re talking about. The median and mode of drinks per night (when I’m drinking, which isn’t every night) is probably two. There are, however, nights that raise the mean considerably. ---
**Author:** ![pwmeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/da6949/32.png) [@pwmeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pwmeek)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2012, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drinkers-how-many-in-a-normal-night-of-drinking/643879/22 "2012-12-13T14:06:58Z")
I’ve been tracking my alcohol recently as part of a weight-reduction effort, and seem to be running about 8 drinks per evening (usually wine). A vast improvement over a sustained bout of heavy drinking 40 years ago where it was 30+ drinks a night 7 days a week for a couple of years. (That one demonstrably burned out some brain cells; over 20 IQ points dropped - and they never came back! I used to be fairly smart.) My {EDIT: preliminary} goal is to average under 5, and no ‘binges’ over 8. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2012, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drinkers-how-many-in-a-normal-night-of-drinking/643879/23 "2012-12-13T14:27:30Z")
It’s a loaded question. A night of drinking for me can be any from - I had a couple of beers after work last night - to - how the hell did I end up in Vermont? I have a regular Tuesday night band practice which is usually accompanied by a few pops – maybe three or four beers. But then when the band went up to do a gig at a college last year, we all stayed at our singer’s house the night before and I’m pretty sure I socked away at least 8 or 9 beers and several shots of lord knows what. ---
**Author:** ![Roland\_Orzabal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c2a13f/32.png) [@Roland\_Orzabal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roland_Orzabal)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2012, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drinkers-how-many-in-a-normal-night-of-drinking/643879/24 "2012-12-13T15:00:46Z")
I don’t like beer or wine, and I’m not big on mixers either, so I don’t drink at all unless I really mean it. Those health surveys that ask how many drinks you average per day always give me a chuckle…I drink anywhere between 0 and 2 nights per week, and when I do, I drink about 12-16, so the answer to the question is “1-2”, but I really don’t think that tells them what they think it does. ETA: 1-2 for the health survey question, not the poll. I’m in the 12+ group for the latter. ---
**Author:** ![amanset](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8dc957/32.png) [@amanset](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amanset)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2012, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drinkers-how-many-in-a-normal-night-of-drinking/643879/25 "2012-12-13T15:09:54Z")
Quite simply, it depends on too many factors. Last night I only had a couple of pints (Guinness). I’ve also been known on many occasion to hit double figures. There is no standard. ---
**Author:** ![Iggy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iggy/32/3364_2.png) [@Iggy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iggy)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2012, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drinkers-how-many-in-a-normal-night-of-drinking/643879/26 "2012-12-13T15:10:04Z")
Two is the limit. More often I just have one 12oz beer. I still have 5 beers left from the six pack I bought in July. I may not really qualify for this thread. I described my drinking to the doctor doing my life insurance exam and he wrote non-drinker on the form. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2012, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drinkers-how-many-in-a-normal-night-of-drinking/643879/27 "2012-12-13T15:15:04Z")
> [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > It’s a loaded question. It’s a straightforward question. It’s the respondent who may be loaded. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2012, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drinkers-how-many-in-a-normal-night-of-drinking/643879/28 "2012-12-13T15:16:18Z")
One drink. If I’m really feeling in the mood, maybe two. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2012, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drinkers-how-many-in-a-normal-night-of-drinking/643879/29 "2012-12-13T15:16:18Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > What’s a normal night of drinking? To be completely honest I’ll have 5 or 6 drinks most nights, over the course of 4 or 5 hours. Hardly enough to get intoxicated, but certainly not a normal amount for most people, I’ll admit. > > If it truly is a “night of drinking” like a party, or something, and I’m not driving (which is very rare) then I can easily tie into the over 12 category. You are me. Cheers! ---
**Author:** ![Lanzy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/74df32/32.png) [@Lanzy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lanzy)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2012, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drinkers-how-many-in-a-normal-night-of-drinking/643879/30 "2012-12-13T15:18:37Z")
I have a drink every now and then at home and pretty much stop at one. But, when I go out to party I usually have a few more than 12, sometimes 18 or so. Maybe 2-3 times a year. ---
**Author:** ![Noone\_Special](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/noone_special/32/2863_2.png) [@Noone\_Special](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Noone_Special)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2012, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drinkers-how-many-in-a-normal-night-of-drinking/643879/31 "2012-12-13T15:21:20Z")
First off, I probably drink about 2-3 times a month. If it’s not at home, 2 drinks tops, 1 if it’s a short foray – as I will almost certainly be driving home. No more than one drink an hour, last drink at least an hour before driving. On the rare occasions I won’t be driving afterwards, I may drink more but I probably still top out at something like 4 or 5; I just don’t enjoy being drunker than that. At home, if I drink at all, it will generally be a single drink – unless we’re having company, in which case the “I won’t be driving afterwards” rule goes into effect 🙂 On average, I’d say 2. (So about 1 drink a week.) ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2012, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drinkers-how-many-in-a-normal-night-of-drinking/643879/32 "2012-12-13T17:31:30Z")
I’m just clicking in to say that I read the poll results wrong and mixed up the number of responses with the category titles, so my first thought was, “Good Lord! The average Doper knocks down 23 drinks!?” ---
**Author:** ![cjepson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a9adbd/32.png) [@cjepson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cjepson)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2012, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drinkers-how-many-in-a-normal-night-of-drinking/643879/33 "2012-12-13T17:35:33Z")
I said 2, but it’s probably around 1.5… I would say my mode is 1, and if I have more than 3 drinks in an evening I tend to either get the spins or get really drowsy. This is good, because I literally can’t get falling-down drunk… I puke first. It took me altogether too long to learn this. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2012, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drinkers-how-many-in-a-normal-night-of-drinking/643879/34 "2012-12-13T17:38:10Z")
Keeping track would just make me depressed. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2012, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drinkers-how-many-in-a-normal-night-of-drinking/643879/35 "2012-12-13T17:40:48Z")
There are nights when no drinking is involved? Ignorance fought! ---
**Author:** ![diggerwam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/919ad9/32.png) [@diggerwam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/diggerwam)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2012, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drinkers-how-many-in-a-normal-night-of-drinking/643879/36 "2012-12-13T17:56:41Z")
Depends on the setting. Dinner party when i brought my own beer, then 6-8 bottles not out of the question. If im at restaurant where drinks are really costly, then very rarely more than 4. ---
**Author:** ![drew870mitchell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drew870mitchell/32/3946_2.png) [@drew870mitchell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drew870mitchell)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2012, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drinkers-how-many-in-a-normal-night-of-drinking/643879/37 "2012-12-13T18:13:56Z")
By y’all’s standards I’m a teetotaller. My average week with work/school M-F_ish_ and a party Friday night would look like this: 1,0,2,0,0,4,1 Drinking doesn’t have that much appeal to me. If I’m not with people I won’t drink at all unless I’m enjoying a new beer or making a new mixed drink. e: That’s after a steady decline. My heaviest semester in college would have been 3,2,2,2,3,8,6, but I just can’t make myself care about drinking like I could then. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2012, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drinkers-how-many-in-a-normal-night-of-drinking/643879/38 "2012-12-13T18:41:51Z")
Are the numbers in the poll pints or gallons? I’m off the chart anyway you measure it, but for accuracy’s sake, a little clarification is desired. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2012, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drinkers-how-many-in-a-normal-night-of-drinking/643879/39 "2012-12-13T18:46:48Z")
I’m not a frequent drinker (maybe once a month). If I’m drinking at home, I’ll have one or two drinks. If I’m out somewhere, I’ll have two to four drinks. ---
**Author:** ![Athena](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/35a633/32.png) [@Athena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Athena)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2012, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drinkers-how-many-in-a-normal-night-of-drinking/643879/40 "2012-12-13T19:19:42Z")
I’m pretty surprised at these results. I’m always thinking I should drink less - mostly for weight issues, not because I have problems with alcohol - but it appears I’m in good company. I try not to drink anything 1 or 2 nights a week, most weeks. During the holidays this gets harder. I try to keep it between 1-3 drinks for the rest of the week, but there’s inevitably at least one or two days that it goes up to 4 drinks. That almost always boils down to a couple beers (occasionally a cocktail), and then splitting a bottle of wine with Mr. Athena. This happens over an evening - starting at maybe 6, going until 10 or 11, and includes dinner. I know my limits - much more than that, or even sticking with that amount on an empty stomach or not spreading them out over time - results in me feeling it the next day, which I despise. That’s not to say I don’t go overboard at times, but I always spend the next day cursing myself, so I try not to. I’m horrible when it comes to wine & socializing, it ALWAYS seems like a good idea to have more when I’m yakking with people. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drinkers-how-many-in-a-normal-night-of-drinking/643879.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/drinkers-how-many-in-a-normal-night-of-drinking/643879.md?page=3)