What do you drink before a night out?

[Littleguggi]

What alcoholic predrinks do you and your friends have before a night out? I'm looking for inspiration as it's been a while since I've been out! I'm thinking white wine or prosecco however I tend to drink them too slowly..

I thought the alcopops of my youth had fallen mercifully by the wayside. Horrified to learn that they have actually combined instead

Oh calm down, alcohols are like 4%, they'll be much 'lighter' than classic cocktails made almost entirely of spirits

What started off as a light topic.. I actually find some of the responses quite sad and I wonder if covid and the COL has a lot to do with it, people have become so much more isolated and insular. People don't seem to go out or have friends over anymore. Equally people don't seem to dress up anymore. I don't do these things often myself, maybe 2-3 times a year at the most, but when I do I make the most of it. And by that I don't mean getting plastered, far from that actually. I enjoy drink and food socially. I enjoy spending an entire day getting dressed and won't be made to feel guilty otherwise.

*alcopops

The horror wasn't because of the booze content but the taste

For students and underage drinkers perhaps.

I'm starting to realise after all these years on MN that MN doesn't reflect the general population, or certainly not the community of people that I live in!

The horror wasn't because of the booze content but the taste

Oh sorry, I will stand down 😂 I love a Bacardi watermelon...alas that didn't survive. I do like a little WKD though

Yeah don't worry. Weirdly judgy thread.

I have young kids and live rurally, so never get to go out and drink any more, but if I did I would love a hang out before hand with something sparkly and Christmassy like a hibiscus flower in it and would definitely eat before. Meal times in this house are about 5pm. I would be keeling over before grown up dinner time!

I'm my 50s. Don't go out loads with girlfriendd but when we do we have pre drinks. Meet at someone's house so can get a taxi together. Mixture of prosecco; wine or we take the cans of spirits that are made up with coke etc. Also we have nibbles. Saves a bit of money too as you said. Don't get really drunk just a nice start to the night. All have a chat etc as can't always talk when in the pub.

I might on occasion have a glass of fizz or a G&T while I'm getting ready but more often than not I forget about it and end up taking 2 big gulps as the taxi pulls up outside. In line with others, my pre-drinking days are far behind me (and were when we wouldn't actually go out until 10 or 11pm so would eat and drink at home first and then go out to dance).

Oh for goodness sake. I’m one of the “thimblefull at Christmas” types according to MN but I still enjoy the occasional night out and drink with friends and if that included pres then that would be fine. Despite me being in my 50s. I did my nails last night for a night out tomorrow, will be washing my hair in the morning, so maybe there will be horror that I’ve taken 48 hours to get ready too.

@Littleguggi I get it, it's one of my favourite things to do. Spend ages getting ready and going on a night out with friends is something I really genuinely enjoy.

I find however people are really disparaging about it on here and will come on to threads like this just to insult the idea of alcohol and going out.

Crafting is something I hate couldn't think of anything worse - Boring and a waste of time and money however I would never dream of going on to a thread about what kind of wool or crochet patterns people are using to tell them my negative opinion on it. People have different hobbies and interests so if it's not something you do or enjoy why comment?!

Wine or Prosecco here

In my 50s and most of my friends still do pre-drinks whilst getting ready to go out

Not true at all. A “prink” can be for many reasons. I think some people posting on here are jumping to extremes.

I’m firmly in your camp OP! I always have a drink as I’m getting ready, usually wine or maybe a pre-mixed cocktail, quite often two or three. As a teenager in the early 2000’s I built up a high tolerance for alcohol and can start drinking mid-afternoon and keep going until the early hours and only be mildly tipsy. Much like a teenager in the early 2000’s I’m also slightly proud of it (fully expect to be called an alcoholic for that despite only drinking like that once or twice a year at most)

Enjoy your pre-drinks and drink drinks!

@watersoul

lol. Borrrrrrring!

Well I have a toddler and am currently pregnant so I haven't done much going out over the last couple of years, but my kind pre-drink of choice was rum and Coke - if my friends were all coming over it'd either be Prosecco/Bellini's or pitchers of a cocktail (purple rain a firm favourite mainly for the colour!)

Gosh I haven’t done that since my early 20s. I still like to have a drink before dinner, but now I would go to a proper bar for one. Nowadays I would probably have a cocktail. In the olden days, I would probably share a bottle of Prosecco.

Actually I’m wrong. I did recently have predrinks when I met up with some old friends to celebrate a birthday. We shared a bottle of champagne.

OP, as you will probably realise MN is super judgemental about drinking in general.

I'm 43 and love a pre drink, most of my friends do too. In summer I tend to have a margarita, in winter G&T with a cinnamon stick and star anise in the glass. For a group prosecco is probably the easiest option. Enjoy your night!

Shaming people for drinking alcohol sensibly and in moderation- nice! 🙄

The whole point of having a drink and listening to tunes as you get ready to go out is that it's fun! Bloody hell, you don't have to be a 19 year old to enjoy drink and a boogie as you dry your hair etc, fun is for everyone. The opportunities may come infrequently as we get older but for a precious night out, why wouldn't you maximise the joy? Especially as we're much more likely to be heading home early these days.

I can't drink anything except entry level lager (Tennents, I'm Scottish) but my friends love prosecco or premixed cocktails for a drink at home. No need to get fancy ingredients, the corner shop or supermarket is your friend. Enjoy!

Coffee

Why do you assume the general population agree with you?

Ok I’ll answer the question; not beer in case it makes me sleepy, probably aperol spritz if I had everything at home coz they hardly ever make them properly in bars/restaurants or a Waitrose Negroni can tho they’re very small. even coffee tho I appreciate the
point about caffeine would make me think I’m having elevenses and make want stay in