So I sat at the bar tonight....

turninggrey · MIP Old Timer

So I sat at the bar tonight....

StPeteDean · MIP Old Timer

Glad that you're enjoying yourself and your sobriety. Be careful, I've only sat at a bar once to eat with my wife because the restaurant was packed and we were in a hurry to see a show, but it felt really wrong and I wasn't even in the company of drunks. Maybe you can suggest that your coworkers eat at a table with you or go catch a meeting while their eating, and eat earlier or later. just saying smile

Dave Harm · Senior Member

I agree with Dean on this. I've got a few 24s under my belt, but when I belly up to the bar it's like old home week. I am so comfortable and relaxed. Throw some money on the bar, put my elbows up and it's like I've never been away.

I will eat in a bar/restaurant but not at the bar...

cramcj01 · Senior Member

New York and the fireworks sound amazing! I live in an itty bitty town in Indiana....so not much of that here biggrin . I've been in a bar for just a couple of occasions since becoming sober. I get out of there as soon as the eating is done....just like u did. Have another wonderful, sober evening!

turninggrey · MIP Old Timer

Guys, this may sound amazing, but sitting at bars does not make me want to drink. I was never a bar drinker. I always bought my booze at the store, and even when I slipped reciently, it was not in a bar. I went 24 plus years sober with minimal interaction with bars--like I said--mostly to eat. I quit drinking in my very early 20's and I could not afford to go in a bar and then I went 24+ years with minimal interaction in bars. The crazy thing that triggers my desire is when I am around palm trees the water, and actually have free time on my hands. BUT....your points are well taken. The beast is always on the prowl. Next time I will drag them to a table or try to get them to the restraunt. The meetings are always a good idea.

cramcj01 · Senior Member

I hear ya there. I was not a bar drinker either. I actually struggle with my problem when I'm home alone. I was a closet drinker. I hid everything from everyone. So I know what you mean when you say the bar isn't much of a trigger for you.

jonijoni1 · MIP Old Timer

Well, I was an everywhere, anywhere drinker. Didn't matter if it was a bar, a car, my home, the basement in secret, or right on the streets of the dark dangerous City in the wee hours of the night. I love good food. I love weddings and the like. But I don't like bars. I always remember the "haircut" saying. Good for you, Turninggrey, glad you had a lovely time at the hotel. And it is indeed great that if we work the Steps and have a spiritual awakening, if we HAVE to be somewhere, for the right reason, we can stay sober. I think that's really important, not to put ourselves in harm's way, but to know that if we are spiritually fit, instances like this can be survived! And I like that you are thinking about what you could do differently too. Good stuff.

Joni