Based on your expertise and observations, what are five tips people should bear in mind for apéro hour ?
Ejup Abdili: First, smile, greet & have fun. When entering a bar smile, greet your host and say hi! Forget your daily life and work problems. Get ready to have fun. And remember, you will not be charged extra to be nice!
Second, become a regular. Nobody will tell you but suddenly you will become part of a family. A family where you will get attention and cure. Nothing will be demanded of you, other than just to be there.
Third, spend a whole day there. Check the opening time. Be there before everyone else. Switch off your phone and enjoy the whole day. It’s going to be such an experience!
Fourth, talk to people you don’t know. The ultimate aim of a bar is socialising. So why spend time being alone, or with your phone. Talk to people. Be curious. Make new friends…
Finally, buy a round. When going out with friends offer them a drink. Being kind and nice will strengthen your friendship even more. In case you end up being the only one paying for drinks, change friends!
How about things to avoid?
E.A: First, getting wasted. The time when bars had to close at 9pm is now over. So no need to rush your beers. Drink and enjoy calmly. And if what you drank today is not enough you can still go back the day after. Don’t you know that a lot of drinks and fast is not good for your health?
Second, asking to change the music if you’re not the DJ. Enjoy the music. We all have different tastes and it’s the same for music.
Third, not paying your bill. When going out with a group don’t leave before having settled your bill. And especially, if you are the first to leave make sure you have paid your drinks in full. Otherwise, you will create an awkward situation for the bartender as well as your friend.
Fourth, asking for free drinks. You are in a bar for pleasure not because you are forced to. And going out means you can afford to do that. Don’t ask for free drinks. Be the one offering drinks instead for once in your life.
Finally, complaining about weather. This means complaining about everything. Your bartender cannot dictate the weather nor change it. So, find a more positive topic. Or just don’t complain. Enjoy your drinks!
Go Ten
Try the Japanese-inspired gin only available at Go Ten or the cocktails from the autumn menu. Pair these with the Japanese Peruvian gyoza or the nikkei tuna tataki.
El Barrio
The Russian salad, garlic shrimp, or the house special--montadito barrio made with foie gras, chutney and Spanish peppers--can be enjoyed with a Sex on the Beach or passion fruit cocktail.
Max + Moritz
The truffle croquettes on truffle mayonnaise or the tuna poke on wonton shells can be enjoyed with a Porn Star Martini or the Munich Mule cocktail.
Bellamy
Any of the delicious gastronomic tapas would be ideal for an afterwork drink with colleagues. Pair the arancini balls, a new addition to the menu, with Bellamy’s martini cocktail.
This article was originally published in the . Additional informational has been included in the online version.