Your first visit to a cocktail bar
From the speakeasy doorbell to the last sip: a small route and some etiquette make your first cocktail bar visit calmer and more fun.
First visit
A good cocktail bar shows you how a bar team thinks. A small route and some simple etiquette make your first visit calmer and more fun.
From the discreet speakeasy doorbell to a menu full of unfamiliar names: a first cocktail bar visit can feel overwhelming. The good news is that you need no menu knowledge. Say what you like, trust the bartender and take your time per glass.
An ordering route that works almost anywhere
Start with the signature
Ask which cocktail best shows who the bar is. That says more than the most expensive bottle on the shelf.
Say what you like
Crisp, herbal, bitter or soft: a few words about flavour are enough. The bartender translates them into a glass.
Switch families
After a sour, try something spirit-forward or a highball. One evening shows you how broadly the bar mixes.
Take your time per glass
A cocktail is built on temperature and dilution. Two unhurried glasses tell you more than four rushed ones.
Simple etiquette
Doorbell or curtain at the entrance? Just ring and wait a moment. Full is full, and that is part of the concept.
Order with eye contact instead of waving or shouting. A good bartender has already seen you.
Feel free to ask for something off the menu, but give the team space during peak hours.
Not enjoying it? Say so honestly and kindly. A good bar team would rather make something else than watch a full glass sit.
Find a cocktail bar nearby
Use the venue map to find cocktail bars and speakeasies. Afterwards, save what you tasted.
