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Original poster

What do you drink at the pub if you don’t drink alcohol?

106 replies

Footballmyarse · 01/12/2022 08:12

I don’t drink anymore (I’ve had a huge health scare and it’s shocked me into a lot of changes). I don’t really go out anyway as I moved across the country and don’t know anyone, this will be the first time in about 5 years.

I have been invited out by some new friends though.

This will be the first time I’ve gone to a pub and not had alcohol. And I don’t want to make a big deal of it as they are all 10 or so years younger than me (i’m 42, they are all late 20s), we met through our toddlers. Not a massive deal I know but I have had the odd comment from them about being in my 40s and things, and it’s clear they are up for a big night.

So what do you do if you don’t drink? I don’t want to make a big deal of not drinking either. I know one of dh colleagues doesn’t drink, he orders himself a lemonade and pretends there is vodka in it to get round the people who keep going on and on at him to just have one. I always found in the past that if one person doesn’t drink, there is always someone who is like a dog with a bone and won’t leave it.

But equally, I don’t want to sit there with glass after glass of pop that I don’t want just so I have “something”.

And yes, I am overthinking! It’s lovey to have finally met some nice people and I don’t want to cock it up!

OP posts:
MsFogi · 01/12/2022 11:42

I get a nice cup of tea 😁

GimmeBiscuits · 01/12/2022 11:45

My DH doesn't drink. If we are going out to a pub he'll have fruit juice. If people keep asking why he doesn't drink he just asks why it bothers them. He just doesn't like the taste of alcohol.

Hobbesmanc · 01/12/2022 11:57

Virgin Mary. It's a long drink and needs sipping. So you won't need to rush it

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General food
AlwaysFullOfQuestions22 · 01/12/2022 12:01

Coke

BuryingAcorns · 01/12/2022 12:05

Virgin Mary (tomato juice with spices)
St Clements (OJ with bitter lemon)
Tonic water
Perrier and lemon
Alcohol-free beer
Diet coke
Ginger beer or ginger ale

Original poster
Footballmyarse · 01/12/2022 12:06

I wish I could have alcohol free larger actually, I like the taste of most lagers.

But finding alcohol and gluten free larger might be a stretch!

OP posts:
Original poster
Footballmyarse · 01/12/2022 12:07

*lager

OP posts:
BobbyBobbyBobby · 01/12/2022 12:10

In the summer a pint glass of J20 Orange and passion fruit topped up with lemonade is very refreshing.

diet coke, preferably not draught.

Appletiser.

Most pubs sell fruity non alcoholic drinks.

Talipesmum · 01/12/2022 12:15

I don’t like overly sweet drinks so I tend to order a tonic water with ice and lime - it’s easy to just sip slowly at.

merlotlover · 01/12/2022 12:15

Elderflower or blackcurrant cordial with lemonade

TimBoothseyes · 01/12/2022 12:24

Cawston's rhubarb and apple fizz if the place has it....ginger beer if not.

DameHelena · 01/12/2022 12:38

TBH they sound a bit tedious. I don't drink either but luckily my friends (a mix of fellow non-drinkers and those who do) have better things to talk about than if someone isn't drinking and why.
I mix up cold and hot drinks as too many cold drinks make me feel chilly. I'll have half a lime and soda, then some tea (assuming the pub has tea). Then maybe a ginger beer if they have a nice one that's not too sweet. I like Seedlip too, but again it depends on the pub.
But I'd give people very short shrift if they banged on about it. A chilly smile should do it.

Slowdayinfleetstreetisit · 01/12/2022 12:40

Alcohol free beer. There are some really nice ones

RandomPerson42 · 01/12/2022 12:43

Coke in a wine glass

Original poster
Footballmyarse · 01/12/2022 12:43

DameHelena · 01/12/2022 12:38

TBH they sound a bit tedious. I don't drink either but luckily my friends (a mix of fellow non-drinkers and those who do) have better things to talk about than if someone isn't drinking and why.
I mix up cold and hot drinks as too many cold drinks make me feel chilly. I'll have half a lime and soda, then some tea (assuming the pub has tea). Then maybe a ginger beer if they have a nice one that's not too sweet. I like Seedlip too, but again it depends on the pub.
But I'd give people very short shrift if they banged on about it. A chilly smile should do it.

To be fair to them, this will be the first time I have been out with them in the evening, I have only known them a few months via an activity our toddlers go to.

But from the chat group they have added me too, it’s clear they intend on a big night if you see what I mean, which is why I was anticipating them clocking that I wasn’t drinking.

I don’t know them well enough to have told them the health worried I have had over the last year or so that have led me to stop drinking.

OP posts:
DameHelena · 01/12/2022 12:45

Footballmyarse · 01/12/2022 12:43

To be fair to them, this will be the first time I have been out with them in the evening, I have only known them a few months via an activity our toddlers go to.

But from the chat group they have added me too, it’s clear they intend on a big night if you see what I mean, which is why I was anticipating them clocking that I wasn’t drinking.

I don’t know them well enough to have told them the health worried I have had over the last year or so that have led me to stop drinking.

Show quote history

I meant they already sound tedious to me regarding comments about your age. So rude!

You don't need to explain your health issues. Just 'I don't drink alcohol' should be enough for reasonable grown-ups.

Cincinnatus · 01/12/2022 12:46

Pint of lime and soda. It’s very nice.

InMySpareTime · 01/12/2022 12:50

Tea if I can get it, water if I can't.
I'm old enough not to give a fuck what people think about what I want to drink.
I don't like sweet drinks and alcohol gives me heartburn.
I've been known to order a glass of milk in a bar though.

Original poster
Footballmyarse · 01/12/2022 12:53

DameHelena · 01/12/2022 12:45

I meant they already sound tedious to me regarding comments about your age. So rude!

You don't need to explain your health issues. Just 'I don't drink alcohol' should be enough for reasonable grown-ups.

Show quote history

I don’t think they meant to be rude with the age comments. There’s been no out and out hurtful comments, just a few things that have been a little thoughtless now and again.

When I look back at how I thought of people in their 40s when I was in my 20s, I cringe! I mean, my eldest son isn’t much younger than them, it’s hard for him to understand sometimes that I don’t really feel any different to how I did in my 20s. So I do get it.

And I also get that me sat with a cup of tea while they are doing shots wouldn’t exactly help their perception of me being older than them which is why I am a bit hesitant of what to actually do/drink and the over thinking!

OP posts:
JamieFraserskneewarmer · 01/12/2022 12:53

My go-to is a ginger beer shandy made with alcohol free lager (there are a load that are gluten free - our local does Free Damn). If they haven't got ginger beer then ginger ale works. I find the mocktails they have on offer too sweet and like something with more of a punch than coke or lemonade.

FairyLightAddict · 01/12/2022 12:55

Lime and soda.

DameHelena · 01/12/2022 12:55

Footballmyarse · 01/12/2022 12:53

I don’t think they meant to be rude with the age comments. There’s been no out and out hurtful comments, just a few things that have been a little thoughtless now and again.

When I look back at how I thought of people in their 40s when I was in my 20s, I cringe! I mean, my eldest son isn’t much younger than them, it’s hard for him to understand sometimes that I don’t really feel any different to how I did in my 20s. So I do get it.

And I also get that me sat with a cup of tea while they are doing shots wouldn’t exactly help their perception of me being older than them which is why I am a bit hesitant of what to actually do/drink and the over thinking!

Show quote history

Well, thoughtless isn't good either. I sound intolerant, I know… Maybe I am! Grin
But like others on here, I am old enough and ugly enough not to give a fuck what people think of me, and also to be fairly robust in telling them if I don't appreciate their comments.
If they're worth having as friends they'll be nice to you. Simple.

Original poster
Footballmyarse · 01/12/2022 13:05

DameHelena · 01/12/2022 12:55

Well, thoughtless isn't good either. I sound intolerant, I know… Maybe I am! Grin
But like others on here, I am old enough and ugly enough not to give a fuck what people think of me, and also to be fairly robust in telling them if I don't appreciate their comments.
If they're worth having as friends they'll be nice to you. Simple.

Show quote history

Dh said the same, why should I care, he wouldn’t.

But I can’t tell you how lonely it’s been since we moved here. I’m over 200 miles away from everything I’ve ever known. It’s just so nice to finally have people to meet up in the park with my 2 year old with occasionally, or to share the hell of soft play with (dh doesn’t feel the same loneliness as he has a busy job, WFH now but he’s always on calls and having a chat with colleagues he worked with for 15 years. I work 2 nights on a small mental health ward on my own! I don’t see a soul apart from handovers or if a patient needs something).

We’ve moved to a bit of an odd area, there’s nothing here. No meet ups, no groups. It’s all based around pubs in town. So it’s hard to meet people, parents at my older dc school don’t chat - I’ve never experienced a playground like it, it’s so. odd! But apparently normal - this is where dh is from originally, PIL say it’s always been like this.

OP posts:
yoshiblue · 01/12/2022 13:06

Tonic water and ice
Alcohol free beer
Mocktail as a treat
Sparkling water

DameHelena · 01/12/2022 13:10

Footballmyarse · 01/12/2022 13:05

Dh said the same, why should I care, he wouldn’t.

But I can’t tell you how lonely it’s been since we moved here. I’m over 200 miles away from everything I’ve ever known. It’s just so nice to finally have people to meet up in the park with my 2 year old with occasionally, or to share the hell of soft play with (dh doesn’t feel the same loneliness as he has a busy job, WFH now but he’s always on calls and having a chat with colleagues he worked with for 15 years. I work 2 nights on a small mental health ward on my own! I don’t see a soul apart from handovers or if a patient needs something).

We’ve moved to a bit of an odd area, there’s nothing here. No meet ups, no groups. It’s all based around pubs in town. So it’s hard to meet people, parents at my older dc school don’t chat - I’ve never experienced a playground like it, it’s so. odd! But apparently normal - this is where dh is from originally, PIL say it’s always been like this.

Show quote history

I'm sorry, it does all sound difficult.
I'm not saying they WON'T be worth having as friends. Just, you know, respect yourself and don't just try to fit in or change yourself. People have to meet you halfway.