# Would you buy a Cocktail at a restaurant like Outback? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 27, 2015, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-a-cocktail-at-a-restaurant-like-outback/711042 "2015-01-27T19:37:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2015, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-a-cocktail-at-a-restaurant-like-outback/711042/61 "2015-01-28T14:01:45Z")
> [@Antinor01](#): > > Typically no. Restaurant drinks are usually overpriced and very weak. The margaritas at our favority Mexican restaurant are pretty potent, based on the number of times I’ve nose-dived into the salsa. I think I once got a “cocktail” (quaint word, that) at an Outback. What I doubt I’d ever do is get a $40 bottle of wine there, although there’s nothing wrong with that. ---
**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:** [January 28, 2015, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-a-cocktail-at-a-restaurant-like-outback/711042/62 "2015-01-28T14:41:20Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > I think I once got a “cocktail” (quaint word, that) I love the word. A buddy of mine once pulled a flask out of his pocket and offered it to me, “Care for a cocktail?”😃 ---
**Author:** ![AnaMen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dfb087/32.png) [@AnaMen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AnaMen)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2015, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-a-cocktail-at-a-restaurant-like-outback/711042/63 "2015-01-28T14:57:01Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Someone ordered an anchovy pizza. When he got it, there were very few anchovies on it. He mentioned this to the sales clerk, who explained “Well, most people don’t like anchovies.” This has happened to me many times, complete with bizarre explanation. Sometimes the opposite happens and they use a whole can of them so as not to have any left contaminating their area. ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2015, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-a-cocktail-at-a-restaurant-like-outback/711042/64 "2015-01-28T14:57:41Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > I think I once got a “cocktail” (quaint word, that) Yeah, pretty much means “any alcohol not beer not wine”. It can encompass anything from a shot of tequila to a trademarked mixologist concoction containing cactus juice+bacon+smoke+coyote fur (I call it the “Beep-Beep Zip Bang”). ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2015, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-a-cocktail-at-a-restaurant-like-outback/711042/65 "2015-01-28T15:00:09Z")
A cocktail is a _mixed_ drink. Any straight liquor (shot) is not a cocktail. ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2015, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-a-cocktail-at-a-restaurant-like-outback/711042/66 "2015-01-28T15:19:11Z")
> [@Urbanredneck](#): > > It only makes sense for the restaurant since the markup on alcohol is WAY higher than the markup for food. Not really. Food costs will generally be between 30-35% (sometimes more) of the final price of the menu item. Draught beer and liquor will probably be 20%, bottle beer might be 25-30%, and wine costs can be as high as 40% or more. Granted, these percentages can vary greatly from one restaurant to the next, or based on wholesale alcohol prices in the area. ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2015, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-a-cocktail-at-a-restaurant-like-outback/711042/67 "2015-01-28T16:00:05Z")
This seems as good a time as any to bring up Spalding Gray’s thoughts on the importance of cocktail hour: For those who can't view the video, the great Spalding Gray says that a day without cocktail hour is just one long, "AAAAAAGGGGGGGHHHHHHH! [slams hand on table] Bed!" My description doesn't do it justice. I had the pleasure of seeing him do this show live. Close enough to see his spittle. His death was such a loss. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2015, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-a-cocktail-at-a-restaurant-like-outback/711042/68 "2015-01-28T16:15:20Z")
> [@Antinor01](#): > > Typically no. Restaurant drinks are usually overpriced and very weak. I’d rather drink at home or my regular bar. While I don’t like the overpriced part of it, I do like the weak part. I like frou-frou drinks with just enough alcohol to ever so slightly go to my head. So yes, I certainly do order cocktails at these kinds of restaurants, but I never sit at the bar (and rarely go in groups these days). I am not a heavy drinker by any means, but I’ve grown to liking a glass of something during my evening meal. But what I drink can barely be termed alcohol - it’s so diluted. still, I have gone from drinking maybe once every six months, to a glass of sangria most every night over dinner. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2015, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-a-cocktail-at-a-restaurant-like-outback/711042/69 "2015-01-28T16:33:35Z")
I’ve had a piña colada at a local Pizzeria Uno. ---
**Author:** ![Frazzled](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/frazzled/32/3368_2.png) [@Frazzled](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frazzled)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2015, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-a-cocktail-at-a-restaurant-like-outback/711042/70 "2015-01-28T16:41:06Z")
Another nice thing about chain restaurants and bars is that they’re a nice place to go when I’m on business trips. A few times a year I need to spend a week visiting our vendors. If we aren’t doing a work dinner I’ll seek out a chain restaurant and eat at the bar. It’s nice because I can talk to the bartender and have a half way decent meal with a couple of drinks. Usually there’s a few others on business at the bar as well so it’s a pretty enjoyable way to meet people. I actually look forward to those meals when I’m on the road. ---
**Author:** ![sciurophobic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cab0a1/32.png) [@sciurophobic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sciurophobic)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2015, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-a-cocktail-at-a-restaurant-like-outback/711042/71 "2015-01-28T16:55:08Z")
When you’re gorging on an appetizer sampler platter of Pizza Shooters, Shrimp Poppers, and Extreme Fajitas you have to wash it all down with a Pomegranate Mojito Blast. ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2015, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-a-cocktail-at-a-restaurant-like-outback/711042/72 "2015-01-28T17:39:59Z")
> [@Peremensoe](#): > > A cocktail is a _mixed_ drink. Any straight liquor (shot) is not a cocktail. toe-MAY-toe / poh-TAH-toe LCTWTO ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2015, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-a-cocktail-at-a-restaurant-like-outback/711042/73 "2015-01-28T17:59:19Z")
[Look it up.](https://www.ahdictionary.com/word/search.html?q=Cocktail) Notice how every definition, drink or no, involves the concept of combination. **kayaker** ’s friend was, I presume, joking–a kind of self-deprecation playing off the connotative “classiness” of mixed drinks versus glugging liquor from a flask. ---
**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:** [January 28, 2015, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-a-cocktail-at-a-restaurant-like-outback/711042/74 "2015-01-28T18:12:34Z")
> [@Peremensoe](#): > > **kayaker** ’s friend was, I presume, joking–a kind of self-deprecation playing off the connotative “classiness” of mixed drinks versus glugging liquor from a flask. Yep. Norman likes the word, as do I. Mmmmmm, cocktails! ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2015, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-a-cocktail-at-a-restaurant-like-outback/711042/75 "2015-01-28T21:43:25Z")
While I’m at it, I really don’t get the hatred for chain restaurants. Sure, your hole in the wall might have the best food ever, but it is usually pricier and often has things I don’t want. Like we went to this Lebanese restaurant which was the best Lebanese food I have ever eaten. Hands down, no doubt. But, it was $100 for two people and we didn’t even order that much food. Consider that most meals around here for two people with appetizers and a drink run from $30 to $50. Plus the owner kept coming over and chatting with us. I don’t want to be the owner’s friend. I came with my SO to have a lovely evening with him. Sometimes chain restaurants are good, sometimes bad, and sometimes they vary from region to region. Think of that! ---
**Author:** ![Missy2U](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3bc359/32.png) [@Missy2U](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Missy2U)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2015, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-a-cocktail-at-a-restaurant-like-outback/711042/76 "2015-01-28T21:56:46Z")
Hell - if I could get a Gin & Tonic at McDonald’s I would. Why wouldn’t I? **Aceplace57** , I really don’t understand the disconnect here. ---
**Author:** ![even\_sven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2015, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-a-cocktail-at-a-restaurant-like-outback/711042/77 "2015-01-28T22:43:37Z")
Nm ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2015, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-a-cocktail-at-a-restaurant-like-outback/711042/78 "2015-01-28T23:06:25Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > While I’m at it, I really don’t get the hatred for chain restaurants. Sure, your hole in the wall might have the best food ever, but it is usually pricier and often has things I don’t want. Like we went to this Lebanese restaurant which was the best Lebanese food I have ever eaten. Hands down, no doubt. But, it was $100 for two people and we didn’t even order that much food. Consider that most meals around here for two people with appetizers and a drink run from $30 to $50. Plus the owner kept coming over and chatting with us. I don’t want to be the owner’s friend. I came with my SO to have a lovely evening with him. > > Sometimes chain restaurants are good, sometimes bad, and sometimes they vary from region to region. Think of that! Sure, there’s chains I like, and chains I don’t much like. But no matter the chain, I’m probably saddling up to the cocktail bar for beers or cocktails and apps! ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2015, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-a-cocktail-at-a-restaurant-like-outback/711042/79 "2015-01-29T00:09:01Z")
I’m not crazy about chain restaurants simply because the food is all the same: all super super salty, all bacon and melted cheeze and fried mozzarella sticks and burgers burgers burgers and fries fries fries. But there is no way I am going to turn up my nose as it not being good enough! You people all reading here have disposable income and can pick and choose. Try being POOR and just able to scrape together enough to go to McDonald’s or Wendy’s once a week for an outing. Applebees, Outback, etc. are a real treat in comparison, and I will gladly go. There’s always something on the menu I can eat, with a nice alcoholic beverage, too. (I like the local hole-in-wall restaurants, too. A lot of them have folded, though, in the bad economy. One mundane grubby place that had been around for decades, charging $25 for a plate of pasta and two meatballs. Oh. Wah. Olive Garden, here I come.) ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2015, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-a-cocktail-at-a-restaurant-like-outback/711042/80 "2015-01-29T00:16:40Z")
> [@Missy2U](#): > > Hell - if I could get a Gin & Tonic at McDonald’s I would. Why wouldn’t I? **Aceplace57** , I really don’t understand the disconnect here. I didn’t realize there were so many cocktail drinkers here. For some reason, I thought cocktails for dinner was a declining trend. Something Don Drapper and his buddies did in the 1960’s. I didn’t give this board nearly enough credit. There’s a lot of love here for booze. 😛 They’re expensive at restaurants & bars, but can be quite tasty. I’ll pop open a Sam Adams Beer tonight and salute you all. 🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-a-cocktail-at-a-restaurant-like-outback/711042.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-you-buy-a-cocktail-at-a-restaurant-like-outback/711042.md?page=5)