Drinks in restaurants?

[SlushMountain]

Say a family of 5 go to a restaurant, is it acceptable to buy only 2 refillable drinks and share them or is that not allowed/ frowned upon? Last time I went we spent £20 on just drinks! What do other people do?

Some places have the main meal as loss leaders and make a profit out of drinks and desserts. If you don't want to pay inflated prices for eating out, don't eat out.

Sharing refillable drinks as you suggest would be stealing so definitely don’t do that. It is standard to have tap water with a meal. Do you not drink water when you eat at home? I’ve eaten at thousands of restaurants all over the world and apart from the bottled or tap choice would always have water for everyone. If people drink soft drinks/beer/wine/juice that is in addition to the water.

I don't like a lot of fizzy, especially with a meal - I find it leads to being uncomfortably full. We are a family of 5 and our children either don't like fizzy or only drink a small amount. We frequently order 2 refillable drinks and a jug of water (which often comes with ice/chilled, or from a machine) for our table 🤷‍♀️ it isn't being 'cheap' in my opinion, it's because I don't want to pay for 5 refillable drinks for only small sips to be taken - OH makes up for the refills himself haha

I don't like a lot of fizzy, especially with a meal - I find it leads to being uncomfortably full. We are a family of 5 and our children either don't like fizzy or only drink a small amount. We frequently order 2 refillable drinks and a jug of water (which often comes with ice/chilled, or from a machine) for our table 🤷‍♀️ it isn't being 'cheap' in my opinion, it's because I don't want to pay for 5 refillable drinks for only small sips to be taken - OH makes up for the refills himself haha

Really? I was in a restaurant the other day that had an offer on, most people didn’t appear to have drinks that’s when I noticed how the offer wasn’t really worth it for me as I seemed to be the only mug buying drinks 🤣 I can easily eat without a drink as I’d just have it after which is what I normally do to avoid filling myself up on drinks.

Asking for tap water is not embarrassing. It is sustainable, and absolutely ok, even in a ‘posh’ restaurant

Legally, in the UK, licensed premises (ie restaurants that sell alcoholic drinks) have to provide free tap water if it's requested.

Maybe if you didn't spend your time in reasturants you can afford 5 drinks occasionally.

And theft

OMG just ask for water - it is a perfectly standard thing to do. You are really overthinking this OP.

🤣 yes I go to restaurants every day 🤦🏻‍♀️

Just ask for TAP WATER - What are you not getting off this thread - everyone says ASKS FOR TAP WATER

Definitely unacceptable. Refillable cups are a per person charge. If you havent paid for a refillable drink and you help yourself with some else's cup that is theft.

Never been to a restaurant that gives you tap water without asking

I've already got my answer that it's not acceptable and i won't be doing it? Yet people are still having a go at me I've said multiple times I won't do it so calm down!

Some restaurants will automatically provide water at the table in jugs depending on the party size in addition to any soft or alcoholic drinks.
Toby carvery and Nandos will do refillable soft drinks, its quite common. I would always pay for a soft drink, never share refillable glasses.

I said "if it's requested". It's actually a condition of their licence - free tap water has to be available, for anyone who asks for it.

Are you all adults? Only reason I ask is I take a drinks bottle for my 4 year old with squash in whenever we eat out and it has never been mentioned before, it's always on the table, but the adults always order drinks.

I think sharing refillable cups would be classed stealing, so would be frowned upon, but taking your own drinks should not be. If you are all ordering food they are getting plenty out of you!

If in doubt take something yourself that you know they serve, like fruit shoots or J20.

YABU. and I am not a snob... The drinks are refillable, per person. There is only so much that 1 person can drink, so although refillable, then maybe 2-3 would be the max for 1 person.

If you have 5 people drinking out of 2 glasses, then the refills would be many more, if each had 2-3 drinks, could be 10-15 glasses, instead of 4-6.

Surely you can understand that the concept is refillable for 1 person?

DD always had squash when we went to these type of places, Pizza Hut, Harvester etc. It is much cheaper. They all have blackcurrant cordial. If you can't afford fizzy then don't buy it.

Well you were there "the other day" and talking about going back thats quite regular,

I just wonder if the drinks are too expensive why you're going to the restaurant at all?

We visited a few times in the summer holiday ☺️ will be less now kids are back at school.

Not adults but young teens / preteens.
Didn't think you was allowed to bring your own drinks to restaurants

@Charabanc and you quoted my post which was a response to someone saying tap water is usually already on the table.

Completely depends on the restaurant, lots won’t allow this. I went to Nando’s with DH and I got a water as I don’t drink fizzy drinks. He told me to try his coke to see how flat it is (seems to be a very common Nando’s problem) and after I had a sip I got told off by the waitress as it’s one refillable per person! So definitely frowned upon and I can see why tbh.