[bluGill]

Bars are a common place, but do you really want to meet the type of person who hangs out in a bar? Sure if you only want a one night stand what they do with the rest of their life doesn't matter. However if you want a relationship you probably don't want to start with a high odds of finding a borderline alcoholic.

[paintbox]

You have some rather uncommon prejudice towards people who go to bars. Unless of course your culture is significantly different from mine.

But where I am from: - bars are 'a third place' where people hang regularly without getting wasted - bars serve dozens of different non-alcoholic drinks - most people in the bar are not "looking for a one night stand" but for some socializing, fun, and a chance to meet interesting people

But as I said, maybe your part of the world has bars that attract different clientele.

[bluGill]

You don't need to get drunk regularly to be a near alcoholic.

There are a lot of "regulars" in most who need to "get a life". I won't object to those who are visiting once in a while, but there are far more bars everywhere I've been than could exist if people "had a life", my general observation is 5-10% of the population is a regular.

[matwood]

> but do you really want to meet the type of person who hangs out in a bar

Wow, ok. There is a huge space between alcoholic at the bar every night and someone who likes to have a drink with their friends on a Saturday night.

[AureliusMA]

Not all bars have the same "type" of people. Also if you're looking for camaraderie or friendship, it's a pretty good place to have talks of all kind - the silly ones are the best!

[SirMaster]

But even if I don't drink? Seems like a bar is not a place I would want to go. I know there can be other things to do there than drink, but still.

I find camaraderie is excellent through sports leagues and board game events, stuff like that.

[matwood]

Go to a 'bar' in Italy and people are just as likely to get a coffee as they are wine at night.