There are many ways customers can waste money on drinks, according to bartending experts. Maksym Fesenko / Shutterstock
There are many ways customers can waste money on drinks, according to bartending experts. Maksym Fesenko / Shutterstock© Maksym Fesenko / Shutterstock
  • Insider asked bartenders to spill the ways customers overspend on drinks.
  • Top-shelf spirits are a waste of money in sugary drinks, and premium tequila isn't great for shots.
  • Asking for a double shot doesn't always mean you'll get double the alcohol

Going out for a casual round of drinks can easily lead to an unexpectedly high bill at the end of the night.

Insider spoke with bartenders and drink experts to find out the top ways patrons waste money at bars. 

Avoid asking for premium spirits in sugary cocktails

Paul Kushner, bartender, pub owner, and CEO of MyBartender, told Insider that upgrading to premium liquor in a sugary drink isn't worth the extra cost.

"Any highball with a sweet soda is also a waste of premium liquor since the carbonation and sugar will overpower any subtleties you are paying a premium for," he said.

The expert suggested saving top-shelf spirits for a dry martini or on its own on the rocks.

Skip out on bottle service

Not all bars and establishments offer bottle service, but Kushner told Insider it's generally a waste of money.

"You are paying bloated prices for premium bottles of booze," he said. "It's more about the experience of being a VIP and having beautiful women deliver the bottles, but it seems like a lot of money for little payoff."

Instead, the bartender recommended ordering highballs or tipping your bartender well for similar custom-drink recommendations and VIP-level service.

Standard cocktails can be a waste 

Chetan Gangan, head bartender of Indienne, told Insider that standard cocktails could be a waste of money. Instead, he encourages customers to opt for signature cocktails on the menu.

"You can get standard cocktails at any old dive bar, and signature cocktails are typically special creations that are specific to a restaurant or bar," he said. "These have been carefully crafted and are often recommended by the bar staff to get a good sense of the overall bar program." 

Glasses of wine can be more costly in the long run

Luke Slater, experienced bartender, assistant manager in the hospitality industry, and founder of The Cask Connoisseur, told Insider buying a bottle of wine tends to be more cost-effective unless you stick to one glass.

"Buying a bottle of wine is generally better than buying a glass because it is cheaper per unit," he said. "The cost of a bottle of wine is typically less than the cost of four glasses, meaning that if you buy a bottle, you can get more for your money."

Don't order premium tequila or mezcal as a shot

Gangan told Insider that ordering premium tequila or mezcal as a shot defeats their purpose as these options are best suited for sipping slowly.

"If you're going to take shots, go for well spirits or brands like Patron or Don Julio," the bartender said. "Premium tequila and mezcals are meant to be sipped, as a lot of effort and process goes into making these spirits."

He added that sipping the liquor allows you to "savor the subtle nuances."

Asking for premium vodka in a bloody mary is a waste of money

The the flavor of premium vodka can get masked in a bloody mary. Maksym Fesenko / Shutterstock
The the flavor of premium vodka can get masked in a bloody mary. Maksym Fesenko / Shutterstock© Maksym Fesenko / Shutterstock

Zanny Steffgen, a former bartender of four years, told Insider it's not worth it to pay for premium vodka in a bloody mary

"Getting premium vodka in your bloody mary is probably the easiest way to waste money," she said. "At the bistro I managed, choosing a vodka one level up from the well for a bloody mary turned it from a $14 drink to a $22 drink, and the vodka flavor is totally masked."

Double shots aren't always a good deal

Steffgen said you shouldn't assume that when you ask for a double shot, you're always getting double the amount of alcohol.

"Some places just charge you twice for one shot, and then you get less mixer," she said.

Ordering a cocktail at the top of the menu might not give you the best value for your money

Keep an eye out for where your drink is listed on the menu. View Apart / Shutterstock
Keep an eye out for where your drink is listed on the menu. View Apart / Shutterstock© View Apart / Shutterstock

Bars have a rhyme and reason behind how they construct their menus, according to Steffgen. If you want to get the most for your money, there's a particular spot on the bar list to order from. 

"Cocktails at the end of the bar list typically give the best value for your money," she told Insider. "Restaurants tend to put the cocktails with the biggest profit margins at the top or in the middle of the list."'

Trendy brands and products may not be worth the money 

Collin Griffith, beverage director at Half Eaten Cookie Hospitality and former bartender, told Insider that selecting alcoholic beverages based on bottle design can be a huge waste of money. 

"Avoid 'trendy' brands and products that put more money into their bottle design and marketing than they do into their actual product," he said. "I find this to be particularly relevant in the agave industry. You see these products that are marketed as 'ultra premium' and come in elaborate and completely dysfunctional bottles."