Can You Identify Tourists By What They Drink?
by Ryan Vlastelica
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We once tried to order a Bloody Caesar at brunch in Soho. The bartender didn’t know what we were talking about. It would seem that a Bloody Caesar is a Canadian-centric hangover cocktail, the closest version of which is called a Clamdigger here in America. We have since fully assimilated.
KIM
Where she presides: Village Pourhouse, East Village
Favorite drink: Jameson on the rocks
Yeah, they’ll order a Long Island Ice Tea or a Whiskey Sour or something. Usually only tourists or kids order that, people not up on the bar scene, who don’t know any beers outside their local ones. Also, they tip horribly. I don’t know if they’re just not used to the prices in New York or what, but it’s awful.
ROB
Where he presides: Cannon’s Way, South Street Seaport
Favorite drink: Doesn’t drink
No, you can’t really tell by what they drink. They order a lot of the same things as locals, a lot of margaritas, which makes sense because we’re a Mexican restaurant. You can tell them other ways, though, like what they wear… fanny packs, cameras around their necks. They always have maps, and lay them out on the bar. [Do they tip differently?] Yeah, they don’t tip much at all. Like, $1.
TEAGAN
Where she presides: Bayard’s Ale House, West Village
Favorite drink: Whiskey or gin
You can tell. Tourists order a lot of Tequila Sunrises, Alabama Slammers, that sort of thing. Also, they have accents. We get all kinds, but a lot of them have Southern accents, or they don’t speak English. Stuff like that.
LEAH
Where she presides: Live Bait, Flatiron
Favorite drink: Dirty Goose martini
If I were to characterize the typical tourist, I’d say they make their decisions very quickly. My normal patrons take their time. The travelers are more pushy. I can’t tell who is a tourist just by looking at them — though if it’s someone in, say, a scarf and big sunglasses, they’re probably a New Yorker — but New Yorkers tend to be more in the flow of the city. More comfortable. The tourists will go as simple as possible with their order. They’ll just ask for, like, a beer, instead of something specific.
FRANK
Where he presides: McCormack’s, Murray Hill
Favorite drink: Guinness
I think you just know it. The tourists when they come in are kind of flustered. It’s unfamiliar to them. I feel like New Yorkers are kind of at home in a bar. Also by what they order. Last week a guy asked for a local Chicago beer, so I’m pretty sure he wasn’t from around here.
