From Tokyo's hidden izakayas to Paris' neighborhood wine bars, drinking like a local is the ultimate traveler's skill. We reveal the insider protocols, unspoken rules, and secret orders that will have bartenders nodding with approval across six continents.
1. Asia's Drinking Traditions Decoded
Japan
- Never pour your own drink (always watch companions' glasses)
- Say "kanpai" with eye contact and slightly bowed head
- Order: Highball whisky at standing bars in Golden Gai
South Korea
- Receive shots with two hands (right hand holding, left supporting elbow)
- Turn away when drinking soju with elders
- Order: Bokbunja (black raspberry wine) in traditional hanok
Singapore
- "Kopitiam" coffee orders: "Kopi-C" = coffee with evaporated milk
- Hawker center etiquette: No tipping, return trays
- Order: Tiger beer with chili crab at Lau Pa Sat
2. European Drinking Rituals
France
- Morning espresso: Drink standing at the bar (cheaper)
- Wine ordering: "Un verre de vin maison" for best house pour
- Secret: Ask for "un petit jaune" for a pastis
Italy
- Cappuccino only before 11am
- Aperitivo hour: Campari soda with free snacks 6-8pm
- Pro move: Order "un cicchetto" for Venetian tapas-style drinking
Germany
- Beer toast: Maintain eye contact or risk bad sex
- Maß drinking: Never put half-liter stein down until empty
- Order: Radler (beer-lemonade) for afternoon refreshment
3. The Americas' Local Secrets
USA
- Bourbon country: Ask for "neat with a water back"
- Dive bars: Cash only, tip $1 per drink
- Order: Martini means gin unless specified otherwise
Mexico
- Tequila protocol: Lick salt from hand, not glass rim
- Cantina culture: Some still men-only until evening
- Order: Raicilla (tequila's smokier cousin)
Argentina
- Fernet con Coca ratio: 30/70 is standard
- Wine sharing: Always pour for others first
- Order: Torrontés white wine in Salta
4. Middle Eastern & African Customs
Turkey
- Raki ritual: Dilute with ice/water, pair with meze
- Tea culture: Refuse twice before accepting
- Order: Narince white wine at Istanbul's new wine bars
South Africa
- Braai drinking: Castle lager with boerewors
- Township etiquette: Share a bucket of amahewu
- Order: Pinotage at Stellenbosch wine farms
Morocco
- Mint tea: Pour from height to aerate
- Hidden bars: Look for unmarked doors in Casablanca
- Order: Mahia (fig spirit) in Jewish quarters
5. The Executive's Drinking Toolkit
Essential Phrases
- "What do locals drink here?" in 15 languages
- "No ice" gestures to avoid watered-down spirits
- Universal cheers: Maintain eye contact, clink base of glasses
Luxury Experiences
- Private saké brewing in Kyoto
- Cognac blending sessions at Rémy Martin
- Speakeasy tours with NYC bartenders
Packing Tips
- Stainless steel flask (empty through security)
- Vade Mecum cocktail kit
- Wine Wings protectors for bottles
Global Drinking Calendar
- Feb: Rio Carnival (caipirinhas)
- Jun: Munich's Starkbierfest
- Oct: Beaujolais Nouveau release
Hi Guest, what's your favorite local drinking ritual discovered abroad? Share your stories with our global community on PrestigeFly.
"To drink like a local isn't about alcohol—it's about understanding a culture's heartbeat in liquid form." — Jeffrey Morgenthaler, Award-Winning Bartender
