I've done both, gamed at bars and clubs with and sometimes without alcohol. They both have equal, I think, advantages and disadvantages, being:
With alcohol:
- You get this "camaraderie of alcohol" thing going with the other people in the venue that can sometimes be hard to replicate without drinking
- Getting drunk at the same speed as a woman you're gaming and creating your own "little world" together can be a really, fun, intimate experience
- Losing yourself in the moment is easier
- Sometimes the gaming is easier because you're not overthinking things and just going with your instincts
- Drinking quality alcohol or drinks that you like is a pleasurable experience, so it helps put you in a good mood in and of itself
Without alcohol:
- Better game in some situations because you're more in control and can recognize and quickly take advantage of openings and opportunities, especially when most of the rest of the crowd is significantly impaired. A good example is Bourbon Street in NO on a weekend night. I think, based on personal experience, being completely sober in a situation like that gives you a sizeable advantage over the drunk dudes milling around you.
- Saves you a lot of money.
- Obviously, you'll probably get more restful sleep and be more functional the next morning.
- If any trouble goes down at the bar or club, if you're stone cold sober the staff and police will often give you a pass if you were peripherally involved just for that reason. That has happened to me. In fact, knowing that I was sober, bar staff have sometimes sought me out to be a witness to the police which really helped me put the venue on lockdown.
- If you're sober and pull a girl, you can drive her somewhere without worrying about DUI. In fact, you could even use this as a bounce rationale, "Hey let's go to [such-and-such venue]. I'm sober and can drive."
If you go the sober route, I suggest asking the bartender for a soda with bitters and a lime. The staff will know you aren't drinking, but everyone else will assume it's an alcoholic drink. You could even feign inebriation with other patrons if it's to your advantage to do so. If you need the assurance of alcohol to get over approach anxiety, then pretend (method act) in your mind that it's an alcoholic drink and you can convince yourself that you're under the influence, just like assuming a character.
With alcohol:
- You get this "camaraderie of alcohol" thing going with the other people in the venue that can sometimes be hard to replicate without drinking
- Getting drunk at the same speed as a woman you're gaming and creating your own "little world" together can be a really, fun, intimate experience
- Losing yourself in the moment is easier
- Sometimes the gaming is easier because you're not overthinking things and just going with your instincts
- Drinking quality alcohol or drinks that you like is a pleasurable experience, so it helps put you in a good mood in and of itself
Without alcohol:
- Better game in some situations because you're more in control and can recognize and quickly take advantage of openings and opportunities, especially when most of the rest of the crowd is significantly impaired. A good example is Bourbon Street in NO on a weekend night. I think, based on personal experience, being completely sober in a situation like that gives you a sizeable advantage over the drunk dudes milling around you.
- Saves you a lot of money.
- Obviously, you'll probably get more restful sleep and be more functional the next morning.
- If any trouble goes down at the bar or club, if you're stone cold sober the staff and police will often give you a pass if you were peripherally involved just for that reason. That has happened to me. In fact, knowing that I was sober, bar staff have sometimes sought me out to be a witness to the police which really helped me put the venue on lockdown.
- If you're sober and pull a girl, you can drive her somewhere without worrying about DUI. In fact, you could even use this as a bounce rationale, "Hey let's go to [such-and-such venue]. I'm sober and can drive."
If you go the sober route, I suggest asking the bartender for a soda with bitters and a lime. The staff will know you aren't drinking, but everyone else will assume it's an alcoholic drink. You could even feign inebriation with other patrons if it's to your advantage to do so. If you need the assurance of alcohol to get over approach anxiety, then pretend (method act) in your mind that it's an alcoholic drink and you can convince yourself that you're under the influence, just like assuming a character.