Best music to pair with drinks?

I can't believe I'm seeing this. Just saw what lemonzoo posted. Honestly? Total nonsense. Not even close to the truth. kaže:
Nothing beats dive bar vibes and some loud, trashy pop music. That’s the only real answer. Even when you're stone-cold sober, that ceiling is hitting the roof. I just watched this video. Man, it really hits home. It’s one of those things that makes you stop and think about how much everything has changed. You know? I was sitting there with my coffee, just watching, and honestly, it gave me chills. There's something about that specific vibe that just sticks with you. It’s raw. It’s real. Definitely worth a watch if you have a few minutes to spare.

I’m all for that old-school country music, honestly. But man, it kills me because beer is basically my go-to, and those classic country songs are always about wine or whiskey. Then you get into that modern pop-country stuff and they're shouting about tequila, vodka, gin, or whatever trendy cocktail is blowing up this week. I can't think of a single classic country anthem that actually celebrates a cold beer. It sucks. 😁

rapidcyclist32 said:I’ve always had this habit of sipping on a glass of red wine in the evening. Honestly, looking at my music taste, I can see exactly why that is. 🙂

I’m throwing Alestorm into the mix too:
Alestorm. "Drink." Pure energy.

P.S. — Honestly, glam metal is just perfect for driving... as long as you're heading out of town, please. ☕

Oh man, that whole era of glam and hard rock was basically built for road trips. Some tracks hit way harder than others when you're behind the wheel. Anything from ZZ Top’s *Eliminator* onwards is absolute perfection for driving. And don't even get me started on Van Halen—that David Lee Roth era? Pure driving music.Ova That thing by Sammy Hagar... Gear Jammer Thorogood is just as solid for a drive. It’s not exactly glamorous stuff—more like that gritty blues/hard rock vibe—but it hits the spot. Turn Up The Radio by Autograph. I bet we all blasted this while cruising through Vice City back in the day. Every time it comes on, I’m instantly transported right back to that feeling of just hitting the road. Honestly, we should probably start a whole thread dedicated to those driving anthems. 😁

Alexander Adams94 said:I generally don't care for drinking along to music that I truly respect. It feels like a lack of respect toward the artist. When I’m drinking, I prefer something catchy and easy on the ears, but nothing that commands my deep reverence. I wouldn't say I hold a profound respect for glam metal, but after a few beers—and if there happens to be an attractive woman nearby—I can't deny that it fits the mood quite well. As for Lana Del Rey, who is essentially the woman of my dreams, my conscience simply won't allow me to get drunk to her songs.

You haven't a clue.
A while back, I took a job as a bartender at the old Concordia over on Kranjčević. Honestly, it was exactly the kind of dive bar I preferred, so I jumped at the opportunity immediately.
The catch was that some older lady from the South had taken over the place, and she decided to swap out all the rock for techno.
My shift ran from 10 PM to 6 AM, and I practically had to down at least ten beers just to survive that musical nightmare, not to mention the absolute idiots who frequented the place.🙂
But listen, something miraculous happened in my small town yesterday: there were only three of us in the lounge, and the waitress put three Nirvana tracks in the jukebox, cranked the volume to the max, and remarked that it was what she used to listen to back when she still had her wits about her. Right behind her, a guy who usually listens to country picked Ganse and EC/DC; I kept things moving with Sabat and Parpl, then some skydivers wandered in and suddenly we were blasting Kridense... And we kept it going for FIVE damn hours!🙂
Some local jerk walks in and starts complaining about what kind of "music" this is on Statehood Day, and I told him exactly where he could shove it. I said, "Listen, you hillbilly, where the hell were you when the veterans fighting for our freedom were listening to the Gardijada?!"
Normally, I stick strictly to wine, but yesterday I had a few shots of herbal liqueur.
I mean, when you're being flirted with by a young, blonde waitress who bites the glasses instead of serving peanuts—well, it would be rude to refuse...🕺

They were mostly spinning Cave and The Pogues. It was right around the time Henry's dream dropped.
The staff included Sale, Mah, and that guy Džafer. It was your classic dive bar, the kind of place where you went specifically to lose yourself... Always packed, especially on the weekends.

Alexander Adams94 said:Look, I don't usually drink along to music I actually respect. It feels like total disrespect to the artist. When I’m drinking, I want stuff that’s catchy and fun—vibey, you know?—but not necessarily something I hold in high regard. I wouldn't say I have this deep, soulful reverence for glam metal, but after a few beers—and if there happen to be some hot women nearby—I can't deny it hits the spot. It sounds damn good in that moment. But I absolutely cannot get wasted listening to Lana Del Rey. She’s basically the woman of my dreams, and my conscience just won't let me go there.

Whatever.

Most musicians out there created their best work while they were totally hammered or under the influence of God knows what, so I don't see why you can't raise a glass to them.🤷

Maybe he just wants to stay sharp and sober... 😁

dustygardener43 said:Back in the 90s, we were mostly blasting Cave and The Pogues. It was right around the time Henry's dream came out.
I remember the bartenders—Sale, Mah, and that guy Džafer. It was your classic dive bar where you went specifically to blow off steam. Always packed, especially on the weekends.

Wonderful.
Now, would you please be so kind as to explain one thing to me: why wouldn't it be Cave and Pouges-e?☕

bluecyclist64, solid story—reminded me that I was actually deep in thought about the world the other day—well, after a liter of water and a drink—and it hit me how much waitresses are overlooked in art.
It’s a shame, really; there’s something symbolic, almost tragic, about the woman bringing you your drink, but I’m way too sober right now to fully grasp the depth of it—plus, some stupid distraction cut my train of thought short the other day.
Yeah, waitresses definitely aren't represented enough. You should probably write something about it—maybe even a short story.

The first thing that comes to mind—if I had to pick—is that waitress, or bartender, I guess, who uses a bottle of John to chase down her debt. Maybe there’s a reason they don't show up in lyrics very often.

As for the music, I'm big on Rock, especially when I've been drinking—but if someone decides to put on some classic pop after I've cracked open a second bottle, I probably won't complain too much. 😁

Just Synthwave for me. I don't drink that often—if at all—but when I do, I love to just lose myself in the music while staring out over the Washington, D.C. skyline in a total Night light mood.

quietbison86 said:everything

Most musicians out there were high or under the influence when they created their work, so I don't see why you wouldn't toast to them. 🤷

Because it's about respect and paying attention to the artist. I want to be completely sober and focused when I listen to something I truly value.

It's a good thing I don't listen to Doorse or Nirvana, otherwise you'd be asking me why I haven't overdosed or committed suicide yet. Respecting an artist doesn't mean copying their mess; it means taking the beauty and the positive energy from them and rising above their mistakes. Isn't that what would actually make those artists proud—that they left something behind for us? It’s not about me getting wasted trying to mimic Jimi Hendrix or Lana Del Rey. I want to learn from artists, to grow, and to fix what they couldn't, driven by the power of melody, vocals, and composition rather than being numbed by alcohol or drugs. I'm at my happiest drinking nothing but water while a performance moves me to tears. That's how I know it's real and that I'm not just faking it.

Alexander Adams94 said:It’s just about paying attention and showing respect to the artist. I want to be totally sober and focused when I listen to things I actually value.

I suppose I agree; there are certain artists you really should stay sober for.

But then again, there are those where listening sober feels like a sin. For me, Gogol Bordello is that case.

And finally, there are musicians you really ought to listen to stone-cold sober. Though, I guess I'm not sure if you can always call them musicians.

Another thing regarding alcohol is concerts. Honestly, I can't go to a show without having a drink. That goes for classical music too, I guess. My last decent session with some wine was during Tchaikovsky...

Alexander Adams94 said:Honestly, I don't like drinking to music I actually respect. It feels like disrespecting the artist. When I'm drinking, I want stuff that's catchy and fun, but not necessarily something I hold in deep reverence. I wouldn't say I have massive respect for glam metal, but after a few beers—and maybe if there are some cute girls nearby—it definitely fits the vibe. But I can't get drunk listening to Lana Del Rey. She's basically the woman of my dreams; my conscience won't let me.

True enough.

90% glam metal >>>>>> Lana Del Rey

Chris Myers said:Agreed. There are certain artists where you really ought to stay sober.

Then again, there’s music that's a total sin to listen to while sober. For me, Gogol Bordello is that kind of band.

And finally, there are musicians you should only ever listen to stone-cold sober. Though, I'm not sure if you can always call them "musicians."

Also, regarding alcohol, it's about the shows. I just can't be at a concert without having a drink. That goes for classical music too. Last time I had a decent glass of wine was while listening to Tchaikovsky...

See, I'm the exact opposite. I never drink at shows.
Maybe if something's free or I'm out with the guys and someone's buying.
But mostly, I hate spending extra cash, and I don't want to risk being wasted through the whole set. Plus, honestly, crowds at concerts who are drinking are a nightmare—jumping around, headbanging, mosh pits, throwing half-full cups everywhere and splashing beer on people. You end up having to throw your shirt in the wash the same night just because you got soaked. 🤦

You’ve gotta drink when you're listening to Rock, man. Especially live—it's hard to find anyone sober in a crowd at a Rock musician's show, at least that's my experience (maybe I just hang out with the wrong crowd) haha. But if you're at a Jusić or Balašević concert, that's a whole different story.

Tom Waits stands above the rest.

Hell yeah! Especially nighthawks. That whole album makes you feel like you're right there sitting in some greasy spoon diner with him.

Alexander Adams94 said:I don't really like drinking while listening to music I truly respect. Feels like disrespecting the artist. When I'm drinking, I want something catchy and fun to listen to, but nothing that requires my deep, serious reverence. I can't say I have any deep respect for glam metal. Look, after a few beers—and if there happen to be some girls hanging around—I can't say I wouldn't be down for it. It sounds pretty damn attractive. But I just can't get drunk listening to Lana Del Rey. She’s basically the woman of my dreams, but my conscience won't let me go there.

Look, everyone knows glam metal isn't exactly deep philosophical music. It's not filled with lyrical geniuses that make you sit there contemplating the meaning of life over a gourmet pizza. But honestly? The feel-good factor is real. I have nothing but respect for how much it can instantly lift your mood and change the vibe. I don't mind cranking it up while doing basic chores like cleaning the house or cooking. Actually, I love it. But yeah, most of the time, after a long work week spent grinding away at my digital desk, it's perfect for just shutting my brain off. I just want something "normal" to relax to without overanalyzing everything—usually paired with my favorite drink, like a cold Baltazar or a Budweiser.

Morgan Brown4 said:I'm all for the classics too, but man, it really sucks how things usually go for me. Beer. My go-to. Always.Country music is basically all about wine and whiskey. Then you've got that pop-country stuff, where they just scream about tequila, vodka, gin, or whatever trendy cocktail is trending this week. I can't even think of a single classic American country song about beer to shut you up. 😁

Oh yeah, that whole era of glam and hard rock was practically made for driving. Some tracks hit way harder than others. From the time ZZ Top dropped Eliminator onwards, it’s just perfect driving music. And that Van Halen era with Sammy Hagar? Absolutely top-tier for the road.This is it. Something about Sammy Hagar. Gear Jammer Thorogood is just as much of a driving legend. It’s not exactly glamorous, more like that gritty blues/hard rock vibe. Turn up The radio by Autograph I bet we all blasted this while cruising through Vice City back in the day. Every time I hear it now, I’m instantly transported back to that exact moment we hit the gas. Honestly, we probably need a whole dedicated thread just for those kinds of memories. 😁

@Morgan Brown4, liking this selection for the road. 👍

I just can't look past it. This is it.I'm just here. Ready when you are. This one. 😵

Look, if you need some comfort, those Finnish folk singers covered everything... even that. beer 🙂

Steven Newman50 said:We've had similar threads before, but they usually just turn into a giant list of playlists. I’d much rather stick to this vibe 😁

What are you guys drinking while listening to music? Is there a specific song or genre that actually makes you want to grab a drink?

We've laid down some groundwork, now let's see if it holds up.

To be honest, when I'm having wine, I usually go for something mellow—often melancholic, sometimes even dramatic... Beer is my "fun" drink, and hard liquor (like absinthe) is for a wild night at a dive bar. As for beer, it's definitely the go-to choice for that folk metal or punk stuff. Same goes for craft ales. Personally though, nothing hits better than absinthe paired with those vibes

My favorite time for a glass of wine with YouTube is somewhere around 9 or 10 PM. I love carving out maybe thirty minutes to an hour just for myself... it feels like rewinding yesterday's movie right before bed, and in that mood, I naturally lean toward something calmer. I saw Cave mentioned—well, I actually started my evening of half-hour contemplation with some red wine and his stuff, then transitioned into something more classic but still relaxing and melancholic, like this and this... then I finished my glass with this lady... after which I went back to real life to wash the glass because I was planning to pour 😬

Whether you're diving into local acts like Cinkuš or Zadruga, or sticking with heavy hitters like Gogol Bordello that we've already talked about...

brightwolf48 said:Tom Waits is the absolute best.

Obviously!

His music always reminds me of whiskey—some harsh, uncompromising bourbon from somewhere down South...

Then there's Gogol Bordello; their sound feels like cheap vodka of unknown origin, though it doesn't really matter because you just want to get trashed on it.

Lately, I've been sipping along to BGKO, but their stuff isn't like a single glass of wine. It’s more like an entire cellar shoved in my face by some shady guy from the outskirts who doesn't even know what he stole or how cheaply he sold it to me. Just a raw mix of every genre, scent, drink, and the sheer bliss of a goddess!

bluecyclist64 said:Anyway, something borderline miraculous happened in my small town yesterday: there were just three of us in the local pub, and the waitress drops three Nirvana tracks into the jukebox, cranks the volume to eleven, and tells us she used to listen to this stuff back when she actually had some sense. Then, right behind her, some guy who usually only listens to mainstream country picks Ganse and Ejsidisi, I jump in with Sabat and Parpl, then a group of skydivers wanders in and suddenly we're blasting Kridense... And that went on for FIVE damn hours!🙂

I actually had a bit of luck back in my hometown in the Midwest—I partially stocked the jukebox myself (as a little leverage against the landlord during lease negotiations)—and whenever I finally lost my patience, I’d start playing my usual repertoire designed to clear out the "unwanted" crowd:

Tom Waits - Anywhere and I Lay My Head

Janis Joplin - Work Me Lord

Rowland S. Howard - She Cried

The Gun Club - She's Like Heroin To Me

Hüsker Dü - Girl Who lives on Heaven Hill

The few people left after that would usually end up getting pretty hammered...😁

Alexander Adams94 said:It’s about showing respect and giving the artist some attention. I want to be completely sober and locked in when I’m listening to something I actually care about.

Man, thank God I'm not listening to unknown or Nirvana, otherwise you'd be asking me why I haven't overdosed or checked out early! Look, respecting an artist doesn't mean you have to go around copying their absolute garbage—it means taking the beautiful, positive stuff they created and using it to transcend their mess. That’s what would actually make those artists proud of what they left behind for us, right? It's not about me getting wasted and high just to mimic Jimi Hendrix or Lana Del Rey. I want to learn from them, grow, and fix the parts where they missed the mark—all while being carried by the power of melody, vocals, and composition, not by being drugged up or drunk. Honestly, I’m at my happiest just sipping water while a performance moves me to tears. That’s when I know it’s real—true connection, no pretension on my part.

Of course I wasn't implying you should copy someone's entire life—just that you can pay tribute to a musician, maybe with a little drink in hand. Obviously, you don't need to drown yourself in booze.

Anyway, Nirvana is perfect for a night out, whereas Hendrix goes hand-in-hand with... well, other substances (but let's not get into that 😁).
It's common knowledge: music born from certain substances usually pairs best with them.