# What non-alcoholic drink do non-drinkers order in bars? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 22, 2006, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-non-alcoholic-drink-do-non-drinkers-order-in-bars/365553 "2006-07-22T00:41:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2006, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-non-alcoholic-drink-do-non-drinkers-order-in-bars/365553/1 "2006-07-22T00:41:00Z")
If you never frequent bars ordinarily, but friends happen to take you to one? I never know what to ask for. What I really want, San Pellegrino, isn’t always available. Perrier could substitute for that, but it isn’t always available either. What does that leave? ---
**Author:** ![Amp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Amp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amp)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2006, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-non-alcoholic-drink-do-non-drinkers-order-in-bars/365553/2 "2006-07-22T00:48:37Z")
I always just get a coke and transition into water towards the end of the night. ---
**Author:** ![Lissa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lissa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissa)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2006, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-non-alcoholic-drink-do-non-drinkers-order-in-bars/365553/3 "2006-07-22T00:54:31Z")
I get a Coke if it’s a bar, or an iced tea if it’s one of those bar/resturant combos. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2006, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-non-alcoholic-drink-do-non-drinkers-order-in-bars/365553/4 "2006-07-22T00:56:51Z")
Diet Coke. ---
**Author:** ![Sarahfeena](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sarahfeena/32/519_2.png) [@Sarahfeena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarahfeena)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2006, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-non-alcoholic-drink-do-non-drinkers-order-in-bars/365553/5 "2006-07-22T00:57:25Z")
If I’m not drinking, it’s a Coke for me. Always tasted good coming out that spray fountain gizmo they have behind the bar. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2006, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-non-alcoholic-drink-do-non-drinkers-order-in-bars/365553/6 "2006-07-22T00:58:38Z")
If I’m designated driver, I typically drink Coke or Diet Coke. Gotta stay awake, which is harder for me to do as I slide further into middle age. ---
**Author:** ![Aeschines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aeschines/32/16251_2.png) [@Aeschines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeschines)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2006, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-non-alcoholic-drink-do-non-drinkers-order-in-bars/365553/7 "2006-07-22T01:01:56Z")
Jack Daniels. ---
**Author:** ![melondeca](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5a626/32.png) [@melondeca](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/melondeca)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2006, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-non-alcoholic-drink-do-non-drinkers-order-in-bars/365553/8 "2006-07-22T01:07:34Z")
I’m a big fan of cranberry juice and club soda, sometimes with a lime wedge if I am feeling really out of control. ---
**Author:** ![Nic2004](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/4491bb/32.png) [@Nic2004](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nic2004)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2006, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-non-alcoholic-drink-do-non-drinkers-order-in-bars/365553/9 "2006-07-22T01:23:08Z")
We often get a Sprite/7-up with a splash of cranberry or cherry juice. In a glass or plastic cup it looks like a mixed drink and keeps the drunks from continuously bugging you to let them buy you a drink. ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2006, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-non-alcoholic-drink-do-non-drinkers-order-in-bars/365553/10 "2006-07-22T01:32:12Z")
TV alcoholics in bars always order club soda with lime. It must be in the AA book. ---
**Author:** ![Hostile\_Dialect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e495f1/32.png) [@Hostile\_Dialect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hostile_Dialect)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2006, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-non-alcoholic-drink-do-non-drinkers-order-in-bars/365553/11 "2006-07-22T01:49:42Z")
> [@Aeschines](#): > > Jack Daniels. :mad: You sick bastard! How could you _say_ something like that in a thread like this? It’s Grey Goose. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Eva\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e495f1/32.png) [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2006, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-non-alcoholic-drink-do-non-drinkers-order-in-bars/365553/12 "2006-07-22T01:51:05Z")
If I don’t feel like drinking, which is much of the time, I usually order tonic water with lots of lime. ---
**Author:** ![Only\_Mostly\_Dead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/f19dbf/32.png) [@Only\_Mostly\_Dead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Only_Mostly_Dead)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2006, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-non-alcoholic-drink-do-non-drinkers-order-in-bars/365553/13 "2006-07-22T01:52:16Z")
> [@Nic2004](#): > > We often get a Sprite/7-up with a splash of cranberry or cherry juice. In a glass or plastic cup it looks like a mixed drink and keeps the drunks from continuously bugging you to let them buy you a drink. And do you order it as “7-up with a splash of cherry juice,” or call it by its proper name (ideally in your clearest, loudest, bass-est voice), “Shirley Temple, please!”? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Hostile\_Dialect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e495f1/32.png) [@Hostile\_Dialect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hostile_Dialect)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2006, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-non-alcoholic-drink-do-non-drinkers-order-in-bars/365553/14 "2006-07-22T01:54:30Z")
A glass of Coke also looks exactly like a mixed drink. You know. A drink mixed with Coke. ---
**Author:** ![Cunctator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/43a26b/32.png) [@Cunctator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cunctator)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2006, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-non-alcoholic-drink-do-non-drinkers-order-in-bars/365553/15 "2006-07-22T01:59:14Z")
Lime and soda Lemon, lime and bitters ---
**Author:** ![Nic2004](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/4491bb/32.png) [@Nic2004](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nic2004)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2006, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-non-alcoholic-drink-do-non-drinkers-order-in-bars/365553/16 "2006-07-22T02:00:27Z")
> [@fetus](#): > > A glass of Coke also looks exactly like a mixed drink. > > You know. A drink mixed with Coke. You would think. But drunks can be so clever. If it looks like something that could just be a soda, they’ll ask. If it looks like a mixed drink, not so much. And yes, you ain’t got a hair on your ass if ya don’t saunder into a biker bar and order a “Shirley Temple” at the top of your voice. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2006, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-non-alcoholic-drink-do-non-drinkers-order-in-bars/365553/17 "2006-07-22T02:07:17Z")
> [@Otto](#): > > TV alcoholics in bars always order club soda with lime. It must be in the AA book. It is discussed in rehab and other therapy. AA doesn’t address those types of earthly things except as opinion from self-identifying members. Any of the clear beverages with lemon or lime do fine. What you want to stay away from is milk. ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2006, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-non-alcoholic-drink-do-non-drinkers-order-in-bars/365553/18 "2006-07-22T02:16:08Z")
I tend to order Sprite/7-Up since it tastes less sugary than a Coke, and it’s easier to nurse one for longer periods of time. ---
**Author:** ![Menocchio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de053/32.png) [@Menocchio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Menocchio)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2006, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-non-alcoholic-drink-do-non-drinkers-order-in-bars/365553/19 "2006-07-22T02:19:55Z")
> [@Nic2004](#): > > And yes, you ain’t got a hair on your ass if ya don’t saunder into a biker bar and order a “Shirley Temple” at the top of your voice. Plus, you can expose other non-drinkers when they express amazement that you’re drinking. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2006, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-non-alcoholic-drink-do-non-drinkers-order-in-bars/365553/20 "2006-07-22T02:20:21Z")
Bud Light is barely alchohol > [@Shagnasty](#): > > What you want to stay away from is milk. Ok, I have to ask…why? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-non-alcoholic-drink-do-non-drinkers-order-in-bars/365553.md?page=2)