What To Expect When You Walk Into A Bar Or Club For The First Time

By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Editor and Publisher

PubClub.com does not use AI or ChatGTP in its stories. They are written by humans with first-hand knowledge of the topic.

One of the biggest steps you take arriving into adulthood is being old enough to go to bars, pubs and clubs. It’s exciting but also intimidating. After all, you’ve seen what it’s like in bars and clubs in the movies, TV shows and social media posts but what is it really like when you walk in the door?  PubClub.com has been there and is here to set you at ease by providing these easy-to-follow tips on what to expect when you walk into a bar or club for the first time.

• The Difference In Bars, Pubs & Clubs

The first thing to know is the difference in a bar, a pub and a club. Bars and pubs are essentially the same thing, casual, no-cover places in which the drinks are a bit stronger and less expensive than at a club. There may be a band, or sometimes a DJ, but usually not dancing. They are a lot smaller than clubs and hold anywhere from 30 to 100 or so people. Clubs, on the other hand, are generally large venues with multiple rooms, DJs, dance floors, bottle service and a high-energy vibe. At a club, you usually have to adere to a dress code (which is to say, nice or fashionable threads and no ballcaps), wait in a line to enter and pay a cover charge ranging from $20-$$$. A “routine” of pubclubbers is to start out at a bar or pub where the drinks are cheaper and then move onto a club.

What Is A Bar/Restaurant?

There is another type of place to get drinks and they are bar/restaurants. You’ve most likely been in dozens of these spots already, tho to eat rather than to drink. Now that you’re old enough to sit at the bar or have beer/cocktails at your table you advance to the next stage of these establishments. They are generally best just after work and many (at least in the U.S.) have Happy Hours with special pricing on certain food and drinks at that time. Like bars and pubs, they are casual but the people are generally better dressed here and are comprised of professionals winding down after work or perhaps after being in town for a convention.

What Is A Lounge?

A lounge is another type of bar and while they vary tremendously from one to another, the general description is of a nice, sometimes even sophisticated, place for drinks. There’s usually live music, often soft sounds of a band or DJ that’s more of a background of sounds to set the atmosphere of the place. Drinks here are more expensive than at a bar or pub and often more than at a bar/restaurant. Sometimes there are shared plates of appetizers. The seating is generally plush, often at tables or couches and some do not have barstools at a bar.

What Is A Sports Bar And A Live Music Bar

There are many other types of bars and two of them are sports bars and live music bars. Sports bars are generally pubs and bars that show sports. Some have games like pool but most have several TVs and the really good ones host watch parties for certain teams. Pro’s Tip: Always ask for any game-day specials; this can save you a considerable amont of money.

Live music bars are bars with bands. They can be anywhere from a small bar or pub to a large venue such as the legendary Roxy and Whiskey-A-G-Go in Los Angeles. They generally have a cover charge (the unofficial rule is the bigger the venue than the bigger the cover) and some require tickets to enter. And here’s a really cool thing about live music bars: they are generally older well-worn places, blue jean and whiskey kind of joints.

Tips For Your First Time In A Bar

Don’t Be Intimidated. Walk in like you’ve been there before – and if you read PubClub.com on a regular basis you’ll be there often – and be confident.

When you get to the bar DO NOT yell at the bartender or wave your arms to get his or her attention. This will immediately identify you as a rookie and most likely lead to you being ignored. Instead, lean in or take a seat, try and establish some eye contact and be patient. If it’s busy. you may have to fight off some rude and aggressive people; do this by standing your ground but without being confrontational. Sometimes, cracking a light joke helps to break the ice. And when the bartender comes over, quickly give your order; know it in advance. If it’s not busy, you can ask to see a beer/drink menu but be ready to order in a hurry when it is busy.

After you get your drink, be cool. Take a few minutes to soak up the scene. Look at what other people are doing and how they are ordering drinks. Study the situation. Use your first few times in a bar or club as a learning situation.

Once you get comfortable, move around the bar and don’t be afraid to mingle with others in the bar. After all, you’ve got one thing in common with them already: you are in the same place at the same time.

And, finally, don’t do anything stupid because that could end your bar “career” before it even starts.