Would go out on your own on a Saturday evening?

[CVVFan]

I’m completely on my own on Saturday and would like to go out for a cocktail, but I don’t know how odd it would look to sit at a bar/restaurant sipping cocktails by myself.

I could ask the two friends I have and see if they’re free but I at the same time, I don’t mind being on my own, it’s more if the restaurant/bar would have a problem because I’m taking a table just for one.

Would you feel safe doing it as a lone woman?

It can be quite peaceful and liberating knowing you can manage being on your own, out in the open.
Before you call a friend, try it. Dress well so you're feeling confident and take the plunge.
If you dont enjoy it, you can bring your friends next time.

I do regularly, take a book - see other people doing likewise. But I pick somewhere I know will be quiet and not heaving with the out out crowd.

I travel a lot for work, so relaxing in a bar or restaurant alone has never seemed odd to me.

Have done before strong women don't. Need chaperone everywhere they go I bring a book and enjoy a bit of time out in bar

Have done, would do. Quite enjoy it 😊

I’d do it without a second thought.

Depends on the venue and time. I went out alone a lot when I travelled for work but would usually be eating first and I used to take a book with me. I would pick the venue a bit more carefully than if I was in a group.

I would also happily go into my local by myself and sit with a paper or my book.

Why not?

Done it plenty of times. Take a book if you don't want people trying to talk to you (though a book doesn't always put them off)

yes, that’s what I’ve done too in the past. In the US is quite common sitting at the bar if you’re on your own.

I’ve had a pint on my own at a pub, but it’s always been a quick pint rather than spending my evening away so to speak.

I do it during the day. I rarely go out in the evening

I’m at home with my toddler going wild & my DH getting on my nerves - I would jump at the chance of a large glass of wine in a nice bar by myself right now 😂

I really like the US sitting at the bar custom - often think it’s a shame it hasn’t transferred so well to the U.K.

Generally the staff don’t pay too much attention to who’s sitting at the table - and if you’re somewhere reasonably quiet rather than somewhere with a line out the door, they’re not going to be annoyed at your custom.

Have done it frequently when my spouse was away overseas at weekends on business trips

However it was usually when I’ve gone to a small concert or a low key theatre performance where there was a bar eg. Jazz, a trio playing classical music at the Corn Exchange, a touring drama group or amateur dramatics, sometimes even in a village hall or local high school or college theatre.

Yes, exactly!

and normally bartenders are very well trained to gauge if you want a chat or left in your own thoughts

Can you take a small laptop or iPad with you so it looks like you are on a working trip? Obviously im not saying you have to, just if it helps get over any nerves of doing it for the first time! And a book as well of course x

@CVVFan

so women shouldn’t go out on their own?

Yes I was thinking of taking my iPad as that’s where I have the book I need to read :)

I'm just asking. I let my adult DDs go out on their own. If it's late at night I pick them up from the tube stop. I don't let them walk back on their own .

You let your adult DD go out?

Yes and have done so. I have a local pub/bar 5 minutes walk away and feel completely comfortable going in alone, but equally the tapas/cocktail bar on the high st has stalls at the bar and most people sat on them have come in alone, you inevitably get chatting after a bit of lubrication

No but I rarely drink or eat out.

Yes, absolutely. Have done it with an 'external' reason, like I'm waiting for a train. So... just cause I fancy it seems as good a reason!

Wrong choice of phrase. But I'm just asking if OP would feel safe doing it.

yes and have done so several times, love an evening to myself in a nice quiet bar with a glass of wine and my kindle!