I suggest going out to eat now alone and seeing how you feel. When you are traveling you’ll be tired after a long work day so some days you might pick up take out on the way in, eat at a casual food restaurant nearby, order pizza and a salad, eat at the hotel restaurant, door dash. You might be in a room with a mini kitchen and can heat soup or a tv dinner. Relax and see what works when and where.

Eating at a bar is a baby boomer thing. The show Cheers was like 40 years ago. Young urban professionals door dash everything and eat at home.

Because of this thread I’ve done this twice in the last week, including tonight.

I don’t suffer from anxiety nor do I lack self-esteem, fact of the matter is eating out alone is not enjoyable and makes you look like a weirdo (unless you’re an old pensioner). Also note, a bar can be dead when you get there and before you know it, maybe even before your food arrives, you could have vocal groups of boozers and diners on both sides of you, creating a very awkward and unpleasant situation to eat in. And you look like a dork scrolling crap on your phone because frankly it is a dorky thing to be doing in a restaurant. I have zero motivation to ever do that again. Ordering to-go is better in every way, plus saves 20 or 25% tip.

Note: I don’t drink.

Op, eat where you feel comfortable. Try all three— the bar, the table, and the hotel room. Mix it up.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I eat out a lot frequently. I never sit at the bar. Hate it. I sit at a table and usually bring a book. If the tables are close sometimes I’ll chat with neighbors, and usually end up chatting with waiter. Most are pretty friendly if you’re alone. Total introvert.

Was just talking to my PT, who travels alone, and she said she never sits at the bar either.

I’m 20+ years older than her, fwiw.

There's been a lot of anti-bar sentiment expressed on this thread, so I will chip in and say that I enjoy sitting at the bar. If I want to talk, the bartender is there, as are other patrons. If I don't, no one can make me and I will read my book or phone. Sometimes men hit on me, and I deflect them politely but firmly. There's usually a lot of activity at the bar, which I enjoy.

I will take my place next to you at the bar. Traveled a ton for work for many years and have gone out to dinner alone a lot and I prefer the activity at the bar over a table too, though I've done both. I really don't get the posters who are overthinking this or care what anyone thinks about them.

100% this. I like the bar. More activity. Some days I will have a drink, some times I don't. As long as you're buying something they really don't care. But I'm not a hermit.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I eat out a lot frequently. I never sit at the bar. Hate it. I sit at a table and usually bring a book. If the tables are close sometimes I’ll chat with neighbors, and usually end up chatting with waiter. Most are pretty friendly if you’re alone. Total introvert.

Was just talking to my PT, who travels alone, and she said she never sits at the bar either.

I’m 20+ years older than her, fwiw.

There's been a lot of anti-bar sentiment expressed on this thread, so I will chip in and say that I enjoy sitting at the bar. If I want to talk, the bartender is there, as are other patrons. If I don't, no one can make me and I will read my book or phone. Sometimes men hit on me, and I deflect them politely but firmly. There's usually a lot of activity at the bar, which I enjoy.

I will take my place next to you at the bar. Traveled a ton for work for many years and have gone out to dinner alone a lot and I prefer the activity at the bar over a table too, though I've done both. I really don't get the posters who are overthinking this or care what anyone thinks about them.