In a few days, I’m going on a trip to Australia. While there, we’ll probably go to a few bars/clubs. Most everyone on the trip is 19, so we’ll be old enough to drink there, but can’t here in the states. Because of this, we really have no idea about what drinks are actually good, somewhat “classy” (apparently the “random crap we find in the fridge with the cheapest alcohol available” isn’t a big winner. can’t imagine why) things to order.
Suggestions?
Order a Martini, shaken, not stirred. They’ll think you’re really classy.
Honestly, I don’t really know about classy, but I am definitely more of a beer drinker than mixed drinks. If I’m at a restaurant, I’ll order chardonnay. It is perfectly ok to ask the bartender or the waiter to recommend something, and they will.
I would like to give you a piece of advice, though. Remember to tip well, and you will drink well.
Seldon’s first post reminds me: also something that is tasty. Not necessarily “Good crikey this is the greatest beverage ever” but at least “not bad.”
Thinking about it, the only “actual” drink I’m familiar with is the Dude’s staple: the white russian. Now, this doesn’t exactly strike me as something that would be particularly appropriate with food (although I think I’ll probably go the beer/wine route at meals), but worst comes to worst I could spend the whole time getting in touch with my Kosak roots, no?
If you’re going to a club and you want mixed drinks, just get rum and cokes. They’re safe and won’t make you look like a sissy or a dork.
Plus tequila shots.
I like to order Cider Jack (or another cider-like beverage) with a thin layer of Guiness on top. If the bartender knows what you’re talking about and how to make it, props for you. If he doesn’t, you’ll most likely just piss him off.
If you like beer, but don’t want to order “just beer” try a black&tan. It’s basically just two beers mixed, but it’s a “mixed” drink none the less. Also, there are a few beer drinks with some alcohol in them. I can only speak for one, though, which is a shot of Jameson in a beer.
Which is pretty tasty.
Auzzies in general aren’t known for coctails, nor most of the Commonwealth countires. That’s a US thing. Beer. Scotch and water. A sherry to nurse sitting about the fireplace.
Speak for yourself. Late-night places around here sell more mixed drinks than draught beer.
**There is absolutely no need to tip bar staff in Australia.
I’d recommend sticking to the basics. On the east coast, Bundaberg Rum (“Bundy”) and coke is probably the most popular mixed drink. Scotch and coke, bourbon and dry, gin and tonic, and vodka and lemon or orange are also very common. (“Lemon” or “lemonade” in Australia will get you Sprite.)
Ordering a round of shooters is also fun in a group of friends. Common orders include rounds of tequila (served with lemon and salt), B52s (Cointreau, Kahlua and Baileys), Cocksucking Cowboys (Baileys and Butterscotch Schnapps) and Chartreuse (if you’re brave).
Try the beer. Pubs in Sydney will have a variety of beers on tap while many nightclubs will only sell bottled beer. Tooheys New and Victoria Bitter (“VB”) are the most popular tap beer brands. They’re drinkable, but nothing special. If you like a darker beer, try Tooheys Old. Common European brands will also be on tap: Guiness, Kilkenney, Becks, Stella Artois, etc.
In Sydney, a large beer from the tap is a “schooner”.
If you’re after bottled beer, try the Cascade Lager, James Boags (both excellent beers) or Crown Lager (which is passable).
Another thing: bars and clubs down here do not run tabs. Order your drinks over the bar and pay for them straightaway.
Finally, remember no one in Australia drinks Fosters! 
…Jameson & Baileys +Guinness=CARBOMB!!!:eek: :eek: :eek:
Lemme just say that I really like Narrad’s list, that’s some good stuff. I’ll also give a vote to the Gimlet, gin (or vodka) with sweet lime juice, and the Martini, gin (or vodka) with a dash of vermouth. You can get the martini ‘on the rocks’ if you don’t want to deal with that stupid, spill it on the floor, look how classy I am, glass. Beware, though, these are high octane drinks, so take 'em slow, and drink your water!
An expantion to my OP: What about buying stuff at liquor stores and bringing it to the hotel? Are there any wild shenanigans that must be gone through to purchase alcohol? I’m assuming that either my American driver’s license or passport would suffice for ID (and if not, what is needed? And what sort of checking is there anyhow?) Any great beers we should seek out in stores?
That’s the overproof stuff? Pure evil. Some sadist donated a bottle for the last but one office party. It’s still sitting in the filing cabinet untouched. My absithe was mysteriously finished off (bravado by PhD students, I think), but no one wanted a second taste of that stuff :eek:
It’s a must to ask the locals… I went there the same age you are going and all the locals pretty much hate Fosters beer or anything like it. There are tons of local beer that is much better than anything you can import.
as far as “classy” upscale drinks, “Mohito’s” are real big now, not to mention RedBull and Vodka. Gin and tonic is my favorite drink, but you either love it or you hate it. Gin and tonic is never good with cheap gin, so get Bombay Sapphire with tonic or something equally as nice.
Not sure if I spelled “Mohito” correctly, but it’s got crushed spearmint leaves, rum, lime, and mix… It tastes really good, but be careful because you can down them so easy, you’ll get drunk fast and not even know it!
Yes, awful isn’t it? I don’t touch the stuff – it’s less popular on this side of the country than in NSW and Qld – but others, especially young folk, love it.
**Buying alcohol here is pretty straight forward. I’ve read that some states in the US have separate shops selling beer and wine from those that sell spirits, but there’s nothing like that here. Your American ID will be fine (and you probably will be asked to produce it; the fines for selling booze to underage kids are very stiff).
If you’re buying stuff to bring back to your hotel, I’d recommend buying a carton (sometimes called a “slab”, in the east) or two of beer, depending on how many of you there are. In Sydney, I stick to Tooheys Extra Dry (not much of a full flavour, but very easy to drink), or Tooheys Pils. You could try VB, at least for the experience (contrary to the name, it’s not bitter at all.) Get beer in bottles (“stubbies”) – always avoid buying beer in cans, it’s terrible.
Depending on your tastes, you could try a bottle or two of wine. Australian wine is very good and very cheap, compared to foreign standards. You can pick up a drinkable bottle of white for $10-$16, perhaps a few bucks more for red. Since you’re younger and quite possibly new to wine, I’d stick to a good semillion sauvignon blanc or a chardonnay, which are quite easy to appreciate. I won’t make specific recommendations because I’m not totally familiar with eastern states’ vineyards, but I’ll put in a plug for anything from Margaret River, which is in my home state.
Plus, there’s always the cheap (and traditional for late Australian teens!) of option of buying a 750 mL bottle of spirits and a couple bottles of your mixer of choice. Don’t forget the ice.
It’s very simple: Until I get to know a bar, I do not trust it. Until that time I only order things “neat”–usually bourbon.
Vodka tonic. (Or Vokda/7Up.)