How to Enjoy Solo Drinks Without Feeling Awkward

A good bar can feel different when you arrive alone. The room is already moving around you: glasses clink, a new track comes on, someone at the bar is deciding between two taps. Knowing how to enjoy solo drinks is less about looking busy and more about giving yourself permission to have a genuinely good evening on your own terms.

A solo visit can be a quiet reset after work, an excuse to try a beer you would not normally order, or the first stop on a night in Riga Old Town. There is no need to turn it into a grand occasion. The best approach is simple: choose somewhere with a relaxed atmosphere, order something you are curious about, and let the experience be enough.

Choose a bar where sitting alone feels natural

The venue matters more than any trick for appearing comfortable. Look for a place with a welcoming bar, attentive staff and enough energy that one person does not feel on display. A craft beer bar, neighbourhood wine bar or well-run cocktail spot often works particularly well because there is something to engage with beyond a loud crowd: a changing drinks list, a bartender's recommendation, food worth ordering, or simply a good seat to take in the room.

The bar itself is usually the easiest choice if you are visiting alone. It gives you a natural point of contact with the person serving, and it is often the best place to ask a question about what is pouring. A small table can be more comfortable if you are reading, making notes or want space for food, but pick one that does not make you feel tucked away from the atmosphere.

Timing changes the mood, too. An early evening drink is ideal if you want a quieter experience and a proper chat about the menu. Later on, a livelier room can make solitude feel pleasantly anonymous. Neither is better. It depends whether you want to switch off or feel part of the city around you.

Start with curiosity, not a default order

Ordering the same familiar drink can be comforting, but solo drinks are a brilliant opportunity for a little discovery. Without needing to match anyone else's choice or keep pace with a group, you can order exactly what appeals to you.

Ask for a recommendation, but make it useful. Say what you usually enjoy and what you would rather avoid. For beer, that might mean: “I like something crisp and dry, but not too bitter,” or “I enjoy a darker beer, though nothing overly sweet.” For cocktails, mention whether you want something spirit-forward, citrusy, light or herbal. A good bartender will use that small amount of information to point you in the right direction.

If you are unsure, choose a smaller serve or a tasting measure where available. It keeps the experience exploratory rather than a commitment to a full drink you may not love. A lighter lager, a fresh pale ale, a saison or a lower-strength cocktail can also suit a longer, unhurried visit. Rich imperial stouts and high-strength pours have their place, but they are better enjoyed slowly and with a clear sense of your limits.

At The Banshee Riga, the rotating tap selection makes this kind of choice part of the evening. A new pour gives you an easy conversation starter, even if that conversation is only with the person behind the bar.

Give yourself something to notice

You do not need a phone in your hand every minute. In fact, constantly scrolling is often what makes a solo drink feel like waiting rather than enjoying. Put your phone away for the first few sips and pay attention to what is in front of you instead.

Notice the drink's aroma before tasting it. Is it bright with citrus, toasted and malty, floral, peppery or clean? Take a moment with the first mouthful. A good drink changes as it warms slightly, particularly a complex beer or cocktail. There is pleasure in recognising that a flavour you were not sure about at first becomes your favourite note ten minutes later.

The room offers its own small entertainment. Watch the team work behind the bar. Listen to the music without trying to identify every song. Look at the old buildings outside, the changing light, the flow of people arriving. This is not about staring at strangers. It is about being present in a place that has character.

A book, notebook or magazine can be welcome company if you genuinely want it. Choose something easy to put down, rather than bringing work that will turn a break into another task. Reading between sips feels relaxed. Taking a work call in a busy bar rarely does.

Let conversation happen, but do not force it

One of the quiet pleasures of drinking alone is that you are open to brief, low-pressure interactions. You might chat with staff about a local spirit, ask the person next to you what they ordered, or exchange a few words with another traveller. These moments can be lovely precisely because they do not need to become a whole night out.

The key is to read the room. Headphones, a book held close, one-word answers and focused body language usually mean someone would prefer their own space. Respect that immediately. Equally, if someone asks about your drink or comments on the menu, a warm answer is enough. There is no need to become the most outgoing person in the bar.

Avoid treating bartenders as your only source of company when they are busy. They should be hospitable, but they also have a room to look after. A question or a short conversation is welcome; asking them to carry your evening is not. The best solo bar visits have a healthy balance between sociability and self-sufficiency.

Make food part of the plan

A drink with something good to eat feels more deliberate and is usually a better way to pace yourself. Bar food is not an afterthought when it is chosen well. Salty, savoury dishes can bring out different sides of a beer, while a snack with richness or spice can make a bright cocktail feel even fresher.

You do not need a full meal unless you want one. Sharing plates are not reserved for groups, and ordering chips, small bites or something more substantial can give your visit a pleasing rhythm. Take a few sips, eat slowly, then decide whether you would like another drink or are already satisfied.

This is also where solo drinking becomes more than simply having alcohol alone. You are giving yourself an hour of good flavour, a change of scene and a small act of care. That is worth doing properly.

Know your pace and protect your evening

Enjoying solo drinks confidently includes knowing when one is enough. It is easier to lose track without friends around to suggest water, food or a change of plan, especially if you are travelling or have had a long day. Alternate alcoholic drinks with water, eat something, and give yourself time before ordering again.

Choose your route home before the night gathers pace. Keep your belongings close, particularly in crowded areas, and do not leave a drink unattended. If a situation or conversation feels uncomfortable, trust that feeling and speak to a member of staff or move to another part of the venue. A good bar should help you feel looked after, not pressured to stay longer than you want.

There is no prize for finishing every drink, trying the strongest option or being the last person in the room. The point is to leave feeling content, clear-headed enough for the journey home, and pleased you made time for yourself.

How to enjoy solo drinks as a regular ritual

The more often you take yourself out for a drink, the less it feels like a statement. It simply becomes one of the ways you enjoy your city. Try making it an occasional ritual: a Thursday pint after work, one new cocktail on a weekend visit, or a quiet Sunday afternoon spent sampling something seasonal.

Keep the ritual flexible. Some nights you may want to talk, and on others you may want nothing but a seat, a well-made drink and half an hour without demands. Both are valid. The confidence comes from knowing you do not have to perform solitude for anyone.

Next time you find yourself with an open hour and a little curiosity, take the good seat, ask what is new, and savour the first sip before deciding what the evening needs.