Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Food & Drink

The Manual’s Guide on Drinking

By

In the upcoming weeks, The Manual will be posting tips from people in the know on various industries. Today we take have a cocktail at Omar’s. 

Our thoughts on the subject:

Recommended Videos

Trumpets blare! It’s cocktail time! Nothing wraps up a long day nicer than a well poured drink or a cool IPA. We get tipsy just reading about new cocktails, whiskey blends and well made muddlers. And we can’t forget the wine! Thanks to the boys at Wine Awesomeness who are writing for us, they make the nectar of Gods more approachable for men to discover, appreciate and stock up on. Our favorite line from them? “Offer a gal a bourbon and she’s out the door, pop open a bottle of bubbly and the shoes come off.” Well played, gents.

Tips from a Bartender:

Related

We spoke to Mark Noonan who started his mixologist career working in the famed Sydney cocktail bar hotspot “Grand Pacific Blue Room” back in the late 90s before moving back home to Ireland to work for Bono and Edge at their famed hotel “The Clarence” in Dublin. He is now a native New Yorker having passed the test of time and is now “The Enabler” at Omar’s Private dining club in Manhattan.

Drinking Etiquette:

  • Know when enough is enough. We know it is hard but just step outside and have a moment. Do you really need one more? Or would you rather have a burger and your bed? That’s what we thought.
  • Drink water! This is the key to keeping your wits whilst throwing down. We try to drink a glass of water between each drink.
  • Always have aspirin on you. You never know where you will wake up the next day, so go  out prepared.
  • Limit phone time. Nobody wants to see your cat video at the bar and your girlfriend doesn’t need a poorly worded sext (that you accidentally send to your mom).
  • Try something new. Don’t be the ‘Vodka & Soda’ doofus. Try something new and interesting that a bartender actually enjoys making.

Here, Noonan give us his tips on how to woo the ladies at the bar:

  • I find to successfully chat up a lady at a bar, the sophisticated approach is always better. The compliment to break the ice, the offering of buying her a drink and then going that extra mile of ordering a champagne can always be the perfect step in the right direction.
  •  When meeting a woman for a first date, make the venue special. Somewhere that has not got to much of a scene but has a great buzz about it is always a good choice. Always arrive early and not on time. Having the perfect seating arrangement will always work in your favor.
  • If you really want to impress a lady, order her a drink before she arrives. I find popular choices of Prosecco with a splash of St.Germain, or tequila with a citrus and spice element are usually the way to go.
  • Always get the tab. Chivalry is not dead and it shouldn’t start with you. Step up.
  • No matter how many drinks you have, never have expectations. Always go into a date with an open heart and  open mind. Only then will the unexpected take place!

Here are some of our favorite bars around the nation. Got a new one for us? Leave a comment below.

  • The roof top bar at the Wythe Hotel, Brooklyn, New York
  • The Ship Tavern, Denver, Colorado
  • Bar Agricole, San Francisco, California
  • The Aviary, Chicago, Illinois
  • The Round Robin in the Willard Hotel, Washington, DC
  • Holeman and Finch Public House, Atlanta, Georgia
  • Tony’s Saloon, Los Angeles, California

Editors’ Recommendations

Topics
Cator Sparks
Cator Sparks
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Cator Sparks was the Editor-in-Chief of The Manual from its launch in 2012 until 2018. Previously, Cator was covering…
The 7 best wines to drink this Easter: Elevate your holiday meal
Spring spells the Easter holiday, feasts, and some great wines, like these spectacular seven options.
Chenin blanc wine

Easter season is here, and whether you're all in and already trying on the bunny costume or just like a good feast, some good wine is in order. At the dinner table, you'll likely enjoy some ham, lamb, pot roast, or spring vegetables. These staple dishes can be elevated to new heights with the right wine selections.

Perhaps you're hosting Easter dinner and want to impress some friends with a new wine discovery. Perhaps you're just looking for a romantic meal with your significant other and want to wow them with an exceptional pairing. Whatever your motives this Easter, we've got some fantastic wines for you — bottles that accompany the fare but are also special in their own right.

Read more
A Wine Guide to Temecula, Southern California’s Wine Country
The Temecula wine country and a yellow hot air balloon.

When you think of California wine, your mind tends to send you to places like Napa, Sonoma, Santa Barbara, and Paso Robles. And while those are all great destinations for the curious imbiber, there's a substantial scene not too far from the major metro areas of Los Angeles and San Diego. It's called the Temecula Valley, and it's a warm-weather wine playground well worth a visit.

In short, the region is often compared to Tuscany in terms of climate. That said, you're likely to see lots of Italian influence in what's planted -- think Nebbiolo, Barbera, Sangiovese. Close to 50 wineries now occupy the valley, taking advantage of the Mediterranean climate. It's set about 20 miles from the Pacific Ocean and with a couple of significant gaps in the coastal mountains, there's a cooling effect that the resident vines adore, especially at night when the temperatures drop.

Read more
Read This Wine Lover’s Washington State Wine Guide
Red Mountain AVA in Washington state.

As the second-largest wine-producing state in the country, Washington has no shortage of options for the intrepid wine tourist. Many flock to well-known locales like Walla Walla or Woodinville, set just outside of Seattle. But there's much more to the Evergreen State when it comes to all things fermented grapes.

A total of 19 American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) dot the Washington map. It's a remarkably diverse wine state, from the wet Puget Sound to the west to the much drier Yakima Valley to the east. Down along the scenic Columbia River, there are stunning appellations like the Columbia Gorge and Horse Heaven Hills. Red Mountain also has to be on the list of esteemed growing areas, a high-desert stretch near Tri-Cities that's producing some of the state's most exciting wines at the moment.

Read more