PodCast for CALL

Here is our transcript of how to order a drink at a bar podcast: An audio file will follow shortly:

Podcast for February 15, 2010:

Goal: to help L2 English learners be comfortable ordering a drink(s) when in a bar atmosphere.

Vocabulary:
- Light beer
- pale ale
- lager
- stout
- Rum and coke
- Whiskey and coke
- Screwdriver – Orange juice and vodka
- Vodka and cranberry juice
- Gin and tonic water
- Margarita – tequila and lime juice
- tab
- shot

This is part of the Welcome to Chicago series – Survival English for Students from Abroad studying in Chicago.

Episode #563 – “Phrases you need to know before going to a bar.”

Sometimes, ordering a drink at a bar can be difficult, however, after listening to this episode will help you know what you are supposed to say in each situation. This episode will focus on types of drinks you can order at a bar and how to order them.

First, we’ll discuss types of drinks that can be ordered at a bar. If you’re ordering beer, it might be helpful to know that there are a few different types of beers:

Light beer
Pale Ale
Lager
Stout

Generally, you can order these in either a pint glass, which is 20 ounces, or a bottle. When you order one in a pint glass, it is generally known as “on tap.”

Another kind of drink you can order is what is known as a “mixed drink.” Mixed drinks are generally made of a hard alcohol mixed with one other ingredient, such as pop, etc.

Rum and coke
Whiskey and coke
Screwdriver – Orange juice and vodka
Vodka and cranberry juice
Gin and tonic water
Margarita – tequila and lime juice

Word of warning: Drink a mixed drink slowly – “pace yourself”, as these drinks can be very strong; much stronger than your average beer. See chart for explanation.

Shots are definitely a very important drink at the bar as well. These are small amounts of liquor that are generally taken very fast because they do not taste good and they are very strong. Shots are customary on special occasions; for instance, your birthday. Expect to take a lot of shots that night!

Jager-bombs – red bull and jagermeister
Tequila
Goldschlager
Menthol shot (doc’s, rumple minz)
Red-headed sluts
Three wisemen – jose cuervo, jack daniels, and jim beam
Prairie fire – Tabasco sauce and whiskey

Things a bartender might say to you:

“What can I get for you?” or they may just point to you, it might also mean it is your turn to order.
“What’ll it be?”
“And for you?” used if your friend has already ordered…
“On the rocks? (The bartender is asking if you would like ice in your drink.)
“Straight up?” (No ice and no mix)
“Would you like to open a tab?”
“Do you have a designated driver?”
“I think you’ve had enough.”
“I think you’ve had one too many.”

Things you might ask to a bartender:

“What beers do you have n tap?” – note: maybe mention domestic and import
“What are the drink specials?”
“Can I start a tab?”
“How much is…?”
“May I also have a glass of water?”
“Could you call me a taxi?”

Ordering a Drink:

I’ll have a _____.
We’d like a pitcher of ________.
I’ll have a bottle of __________. Here, you can insert a bottle of beer, or a bottle of wine.
Can I have another ______. Drink you already had.
We would like another round, please.
I would like to order a round of shots.
I’ll have a _____ this time. Something different from what you had before.

Wrapping it up/things to remember:

Unless you are running a tab, try to tip a dollar or you may get ignored by the barkeep. Tips are not based on percentage; unless you run a tab.
Do not leave your drink unattended.
Never drink and drive over point oh eight. See chart.
Don’t start a fight. Be careful of drunk people who may be out to start trouble.