What drink to order during happy hours as an intern?

My group has weekly happy hours and I was wondering, what is a nice safe drink to order at happy hours. I don’t know anything about happy hour etiquette. I tend to order drinks that are on the stronger side. I’m unsure what some more “sophisticated” options would be.

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64 Comments
 

You’re overthinking this. Drink whatever you want, just make sure you know how to control your liquor

 

I feel like anything goes as long as it’s not stupid - Stay away from ‘college bar’ gimmick drinks like Red Bull vodka, blue motherfuckers, whatever. Most places you go won’t serve these anyways.

You like strong? If you’re walking around with vodka on rocks or something like that you may get a weird eye or two but I wouldn’t worry about it.

 
Funniest

Vodka on rocks is beyond menacing. That has to be an HR violation.

 
Most Helpful

Get a gin and soda/tonic or vodka soda/tonic. Both with lime, low cal and very drinkable.

 
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Keep it low key & not strong - ie a Corona or Pacifico. Espresso Martinis, G&T’s, Negronis could work if you want to feign some cultural taste.

 

what is the play if you dont drink?

i think i should order something so I'm not looking out of place, does anyone have any suggestions?

 

Thank you, I will do that

Is there any drink that doesn’t have alcohol in it that I can say other than saying sprite?

For example, if I’m at dinner and everyone is ordering drinks, it might be a bit awkward to say sprite with lime and ice, since everyone would ask why I’m not drinking.

Any non-alcoholic drink that doesn’t have a soda or juice in its name?

Thank you!

 

I think it’s a question that pops in many people’s first drinks especially in SA times.

Honestly, a person drinking sprite can act weird, a person drinking gin tonic can act weird. And a person judging you based on your drink can be (is) weird.

Drink whatever enables you to enjoy your evening while remaining comfortable, responsible and professional. That should be the bottom line.

 

What are some of your favorites // any suggestions for which you prefer to "remain comfortable, responsible, and professional?

 

Depends on the event. Semi-professional networking events, I tend to nurse a few Old Fashioneds (at high end places, my go to drink).

Happy hours at firms while recruiting - I honestly just sipped on a light beer and rarely got a second.

If I'm a coworker, I'll probably get some hard liquor. Prior to business school, I did shots with my boss at the Christmas party lol.

 

For HH I'd stick to something lighter, unless you're with buddies.  You don't want to be obviously drunk. Mine would be G&T w/lime, beer or wine. Bars usually have a happy hour menu as well for cocktails that would probably be appropriate for the venue. 

If you can handle your whiskey then a bourbon old fashioned or scotch neat are also classic. 

 
Intern in PE - LBOs

My group has weekly happy hours and I was wondering, what is a nice safe drink to order at happy hours. I don't know anything about happy hour etiquette. I tend to order drinks that are on the stronger side. I'm unsure what some more "sophisticated" options would be.

How old are you?

"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee
 

Whiskey on the rocks or an old fashioned. Don't be yet another basic bitch swigging vodka/gin mixed w/ X.

"If you don't have any enemies in life you have never stood up for anything" - Winston Churchill | "It's a testament to the sheer belligerence of the profession that people would rather argue about the 'risk-adjusted returns' of using inferior tooth cleaning methods." - kellycriterion
 

If you want something safe, vodka soda.  It's pretty simple, you can switch to soda water only anytime you want and no one will know the difference. 

 

Kentucky mule. Am a fan of bourbon and feel like the flavors mix perfectly with the ginger beer. As you see below I’m a bit of a nerd with this stuff, love the story / evolution behind each one.

Whiskey sour / Presbyterian for me if the bartender isn’t up to snuff. Most bartenders can make the KY mule but you’d be surprised how many of them out here in London absolutely refuse to make one despite being able to make a Moscow lol.

Espresso martinis / French 75s if at a classier junction and I’m in a good mood. Manhattans for classy dinners, whiskey neat if I’m having a classy but quiet night out.

Stay away from college drinks LIIT / AMFs / Vodka RBs etc you will look trashy/immature both to your coworkers and everybody in the bar

This is the way. Learn what you like, stick to that but don’t be trashy and it becomes really fun!

 

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