Craft Bar/pub etiquette

a place sells something they want people to buy
some people want to buy something
when buying small amounts some people feel guilty in a way cured by buying more of the something
fucking great business model

perhaps you have social anxiety or a drinking problem with guilt
I wish you the best. I hope you are able to relax and enjoy the wonderful opportunity of stopping in for just one.
cheers
jd

 

The barkeep is not depending on you for his entertainment. Come and go as you please.
But if you think "opting for <8% to stay sober" is efficient then you're a rank fool.

 

Honor their credit card policy, leave a tip and don't overstay your welcome if it is getting busy and you have no intention of ordering another. Absolutely normal and cannot be complained about by patron or barkeep.

For me, NYC has several great bottle shop/bar combos. A favorite of mine is to get a pint to enjoy while I walk around and shop. And thanks to public transit, I don't have to worry about having a second or skipping on the high ABV brews. And I've definitely gone into spots and had a single drink, maybe waiting for friends to meet nearby or just felt like one. Who cares, you pay, you follow any additional rules, you're golden.

 

Who cares?

 

I often just slip in for a pint , perhaps because I have time to kill while waiting for a bus or because I'm in the process of visiting lots of pubs one after the other.Last week it was because my wife had parked in the pub car park and I felt it was the thing to do.
One reason we have so much session beer and other low gravity stuff in our pubs is because that's what sells under the circumstances.People may be driving, having a lunch break from work or generally just want to both drink a reasonable quantity of beer and remain clear headed.In fact our rural pubs are reluctant to stock anything much over 5% because it doesn't sell. Our brewers have found out how to pack such beers with a surprising amount of flavour largely through cherry picking the ingredients and cask conditioning.

 

If one is polite and cordial everything is OK. At the pub, post office, grocery store, everywhere.

 

1) no matter what, don't rest your head on the counter 2) don't sample 4 beers before choosing the IPA

For the OP: just give an extra buck or two upfront and apologize to the bartender for not being able to entertain and annoy them for more than 15 minutes.

A good tipper, who you remember, has a good joke, in and out and doesn't make a mess, is the best bar customer of all.

 

I usually tip a little extra if I have just one beer - I always tip at least 20% on my bar tab, but I'm usually inclined to tip at least $2, even if I only have one beer.

 

It's not the bartenders responsibility to care about what your hang ups and feelings of social awkwardness are while you sit there with your one beer. They are there to serve you. I am confused why the need to overthink this. Lots of bars have regulars who are single drink people. They have their schedule and appearances to keep and having a drink is part of it.
I'd just say if you are there for one beer. Use cash.

 

tip an extra buck if you feel that guilty. or dont. whatever, I guess i dont worry about these things. i go one and done very often and dont see an issue about it.

 

Just leave an extra dollar for a tip if you feel bad. Honestly though, it is their job to serve you as many beers as you want (well, until you get too wild), so I feel the same having 1 as I do 6.

 

They usually dont mind when I do that, but sometimes i get a gentle "its okay man, but please dont cry directly into the beer, its not good for the flavor profile."

 

One beer or 10, you're giving the bar buisness, which is what they want. I fail to see the problem here.

 

Only one time I've done it, a 14oz. pour of 120 min, so I guess that doesn't count. I usually at least drink 2 pints.

 

If you like stopping in a pub and having one beer, you can keep stopping in a pub and having one beer. If the bartender says something, tell him your wife said to be home in time for dinner.

 

If you TIP, they don't give a crap. And not just a buck.

 

A dollar isn't enough period? Or a dollar isn't enough if you're only having one beer?

 

I mean this in the nicest way possible: but the real advice you need to hear is to stop worrying about what other people think about you...especially when it comes to total strangers.