[Laser]

I can hold my liquor pretty well - I don't turn into an idiot or get sick easily - but my game turns to shit after 3 drinks or so. Last night I blew a layup girl who opened me when I was 5 drinks in because I was too drunk to converse well.

Where I'm at in London, people like to get super drunk in bars, and its customary to take turns buying rounds. This is especially true when I go out with colleagues in finance who have no qualms about running up large bar tabs and need to get drunk before approaching girls.

Generally one of the following will happen:

1. I get to the bar first and have to offer to buy a round. If I only buy myself a beer, I look like a cheap asshole.

2. Someone goes to the bar and gets the first round. I can't turn down the offer of a "free" beer and not start drinking when everyone else starts drinking, then buy my own beer later.

Any suggestions on how to tactfully break out of this cycle of buying rounds of drinks?

Edit: I should clarify that I don't really care what my colleagues think from a self-esteem perspective, but as some of these colleagues are my superiors, it is important to have them think well of me.

[jimukr104]

Be an Alpha and NOT a Beta?Alphas don't care what other beta men think tbh.
I don't drink anymore so sip a beer or screwdriver ALL night if I have to. That way you aren't being seen buying drinks and you can refuse xtra rinks while still having your own.
I learned that my mood is usually negative at the pub and alcohol is an enhancer. Why drink more and spit less game?

[Idlenations]

Me and the lads fucked the round system of long ago, we just buy are own drinks now as we tend to barhop a lot so make no sense to stay in rounds when the next place could be more expensive/cheaper. Just buy your own drink, honestly no one gives a fuck if you do.

[j r]

Why not leave early or come late? Its understandable if you have to put in the far time, but you don't have to drink yourself stupid all night with them. Have a couple of rounds and take off to do something more interesting. Or show up late with a girl, that gives you an excuse to bounce whenever you want to.