Comment by the_only_law | Hacker News Reader

Comment by the_only_law | Hacker News Reader

I always drink alone these days, Covid killed whatever superficial drinking groups I had joined. Though I tend to prefer to go out, as opposed to being at home. I’m stuck in the apartment for most of the day anyway.

I’ve never been bothered much by it in the past, but I think I’m quickly getting sick of it. It frankly gets boring, hanging out at bars all night aimlessly drinking. Yeah I talk people on occasion, but we’re normally a little a drunk for the conversation to be interesting or mean anything. Still I prefer if to aimlessly doing anything else, especially sitting at home.

I’ve been called out once or twice, by people curious about who I was or why I was always out alone. My relatively young age probably doesn’t help with attracting negative connotations. However, last week, I stopped by one of my regular bars, and the person next to me effectively called me out as a loser (with much nicer language, and beating around the bush). It ended up agitating me a bit because of how blatant it was. I know it, you know it, but does it really have to be announced out loud?

Sounds like a terrible bar, don’t go there. I’ve had far more positive experiences going to bars alone than I ever had in groups. Despite what people think it’s still totally possible to strike up conversations with strangers. Sometimes getting to know a stinger is more exciting and mentally engaging than small talk with some mild acquaintance. On the contrary I always hated going to bars in groups. You’re just paying extra to hang with the same people you could have just split a 12 pack with and had pretty much the same experience at home or at a park or beach. The chances of you having any interaction with anyone outside your group at a bar are minimal if not non existent.

Yeah going to bars is pretty boring, it just doesn't achieve anything, plus it negatively affects your mental and physical health. It's like paying to slowly kill yourself.

Perhaps they called you out because they're concerned about you.

The realistic alternative to going to a bar alone (as somebody who has gone to bars alone) is drinking alone at home. That isn't really any better for you because at least there is a decent chance to have some social interaction at a bar (unless you specifically avoid it).

Thinking that somebody else at a bar calling him a loser is looking out for his best interest is a little ridiculous

I disagree

Getting called out for drinking alone seems odd and I've never heard of that happening to anyone I know anywhere. Do you live in a college town?

Seemed common in SF and other major metros I've lived in. You're not going to find many people doing it at hipster bars but it's definitely normal at neighborhood watering holes.

If you get called out for drinking alone, you're doing it wrong. Nobody else should be present. :P

People go to bars to drink. It would be silly for anyone to say something about going to a bar to drink, even if you are alone.

Second, it’s never cool to call someone a loser. Maybe they were self projecting. Find another bar.

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