I just moved back to the US after being in Korea for 11 years. Currently living in Hyde Park (Chicago, not London). I’ve been cooped up in my room for most nights, so lately I’ve been wanting to go check out the local pubs. I don’t really know anyone here yet, so I’ve thought of going by myself. Do people do that here? I know in Seoul that any girl drinking by herself at a bar would get really strange looks. Does the same apply in the States?
Guy responding…
Nah, it’s not that weird, depending of course on what type of bar you go to. If you’re just checking out the local pubs, then it’s not weird at all (to me, anyways). Going to dance places might be a little weirder. However, the same basic principle holds at both of them:
You’re going to get hit on. A lot.
Also remember to take standard solo-person-at-a-bar precautions. Meaning order a new drink after you come back from the bathroom. Don’t drink and drive. Etc.
Pfffft. Not wierd at all.
Where’s the bar again?
“weird”
Not at all weird. Most bartenders will protect you from anyone who gets out of hand.
So why are you going to a bar unless you want to get acquainted?
Although I will admit that there is a fine line between “getting acquainted” and “getting hit on”. Still, what is your goal?
To get hit on.
What?
Seriously, though, I don’t mind meeting new people, and I’ve heard the bars around here are pretty quiet (at least for the moment, before the semester starts). My “goal” is to get out of my house and interact with other human beings, so yeah, I don’t mind the hitting on part (up to a certain extent, of course.)
I’m a guy and I go to bars to watch sports, shoot pool, listen to a band, or just have a drink. Lots of reasons to go to a bar without wanting to get picked up.
I’m a woman and I’ve gone to bars alone plenty of times to listen to live bands. I am a weird person who does a lot of things that women aren’t “supposed” to do, though, so that may not tell ya much. 
However, I’d definitely say that if you want to go, GO. Just be careful, as they say, about watching your drink and keep an eye out for any creepy guys.
Yes, it’s totally weird. You’re a weird weird woman.
…but you can sit beside me, I don’t mind. 
Um, ordering a drink after I get back from the restroom - is that in case someone dropped something in my drink? Does that stuff really happen here? I thought it was a movie thing.
kawaiitentaclebeast, as long as you keep those tentacles to yourself, I’d be happy to sit next to you.
Yeah, it happens here. It probably happens more frequently than a lot of us realize.
I know a woman who had a roofie slipped into her drink.
It sometimes happens that someone might drop a sedative in a drink, to facilitate rape. It sometimes happens that someone might drop a minor toxin in a drink, if ey’re angry at you for some reason. It sometimes happens that someone puts something disgusting in a drink as an attempt at a joke. And it sometimes happens that something accidentally falls into a drink.
Better safe than sorry.
Ah, okay. Thanks for the tip.
Well, y’all have encouraged me. I think I’ll venture out sometime this weekend and see how it goes.
I don’t have much to add but the “Keep Pork Off Your Fork” Google ad is some funny shit. Maybe you could use it as an ice-breaker.
How widespread this practice occures is somewhat questionable; it was the Big Scary Thing a few years ago in the news but then so were Virgin-Sacrificing Satanists, Cell Phone Brain Tumors, and Cold Fusion, all of which turned out to be The Big Zero. Still, it’s always wise to be safe, and if it’s not busy, most bartenders will be happy to put your drink under the rail while you’re powdering your nose (assuming you’re sitting up at the bar, of course).
Stranger
I’ve wondered about this before, and I’ve come to the conclusion that it would be weird for me. I’m very shy, and I would feel too self-concious sitting there by myself. But if I saw another woman sitting at a bar by herself, I wouldn’t think she was weird, so if you’d be comfortable, go ahead!
I always feel weird and awkward (but sometimes, I just want a drink).
There’s only so much people watching I can do, before it goes into staring, weird, vaguely creepy territory, and then I start to get bored. Very bored. And go home.
I don’t get strange looks, though, if that’s what you’re worried about.
It just happened a few weeks ago in my neighborhood - there were warning posters plastered all over the place afterward. As it was a mostly lesbian bar, and multiple incidences of hetero rape were involved, it may or may not have been a gay-bashing incident, but one never knows.
It has happened to me. I wasn’t alone; I was with a large group of people, yet I was still drugged. Fortunately I have friends that look out for me and I wasn’t raped.
Two very close friends have also been drugged, in different states. They weren’t as fortunate.
I’ve gone out alone to bars, but I find it uncomfortable. Drinking alone is not my idea of a good time, and getting hit on over and over doesn’t add to the appeal. YMMV, just be careful.