i don't get it.
what is a "WELL DRINK"
i know you listed some but what does that phrase mean?
i asked a friend that practically lives in the bars and he didn't know what a Well drink is either.
A well drink is a mixed drink made with cheap generic liquor, rather than a specific brand. As one might imagine, well drinks tend to be cheaper, and some bars even offer specials on them to encourage customers to settle in for a few drinks. Depending on the bar, the quality of liquors used in a well drink may vary widely, with some upscale bars using very good liquors for their well drinks, while dives tend to scrape the bottom of the barrel, sometimes literally.
The term is a reference to the well, the rack of liquor kept directly below the bar. These alcohols are easy for the bartender to reach, and they carry less cachet than those in the call, the rack above the bar which is visible to customers. You may note, the next time you happen to be near a bar, that high-value alcohol is often kept in the call to appeal to customers, encouraging them to order more expensive brands and creating an overall feel of quality in the bar.
As a general rule, when clients order a drink, the bartender will reach for the well, unless the customer specifies otherwise, or the bartender has a soft spot for the customer. In some bars, bartenders are trained to upsell more expensive liquors, so you may be asked if you want a well drink or not, or you may be asked to name a specific brand you might prefer.
For people who don't have a lot of money, or who don't want to spend a lot on alcohol, well drinks are a good way to socialize at bars without breaking the bank. Prices for mixed drinks can get extremely expensive, especially if a number are consumed over the course of the evening; well drinks can keep the costs down. Be aware, however, that a complex drink made with a generic alcohol will still be expensive, because the bartender will still need to do more work to mix the drink correctly.
We were there last week and they said "we used to have happy hour". So... I will note that on the first page.
