Bar hopping is not a task to be undertaken lightly. You could just throw on any old pair of jeans and head out for a pub crawl like some amateur, but it’s foolhardy. You wouldn’t go into the Amazon jungle without a machete and hopefully a good survival knife, so don’t head into the concrete jungle any less prepared. When you’re geared up for a night of serious imbibing, you should look casually classy and be ready for wherever the night takes you. To eliminate errors, we’ve found you the perfect bar hopping attire so you’re good to go.
The right bar hopping clothing and gear means more than a pair of ratty jeans and whatever shirt from your floor passed the sniff test. You should be accessorized from stem to stern, prepared for shenanigans, tomfoolery, and, of course, a dollop of romance. Sturdy, stylish, and equipped for a little modern swashbuckling is the way to go here.
Clarks Desert Boot
Even if you frequent only the finest of drinking establishments, you want to protect your feet from the grime and unmentionables that tend to congregate on the floor of bars. With the Desert Boot from Clarks you get a supple leather and suede upper that’s hardy but still refined in deep, unpretentious brown. A comfortable EVA midsole lets you stand for hours or dance the night away while the plantation crepe outsole keeps your feet protected from floor scum.
Raleigh Denim Martin Thin Fit
Raleigh Denim is trying to revive the American denim culture and with these dark, tapered jeans they’ve done just that. The cuffs can be worn inside or outside of your boots while the midnight material will hide stains from spilled lagers or dripping wing sauce. Masculine without being aggressive and capable of either exuding sophistication or dressing down for the night.
Anderson’s Multicolored Stretch Woven Belt
Playful without being ridiculous or “wacky,” this is a hand-crafted Italian belt that is shot through with gentle pastels which emit a fun vibe while being able to tie your ensemble together. The leather ends and brushed metal buckle work with the woven body to give you plenty of reinforcement along with a wink and a smirk. Made by the 50-person operation at Anderson’s, you’ll get exceptional imported quality that has passed the most rigorous quality standards.
Todd Snyder Classic Crew T-Shirt
Your average sweat-stained undershirt isn’t going to cut it here. You want to go with something that is timeless without being old-fashioned and appealing without being overstated. With the Classic Crew T you have melange dyed yarns that beg to be handled, won’t shrink or degrade over time, and hold that clean, brilliant whiteness well. It’s the ideal foundation on which to build an ageless look.
The Charcoal Everyday Oxford Jack
Constructed in California, the light coloration is meant to offset the darker pants for a look that implies workmanship without seeming slovenly. Equally effective tucked in or hanging out, this is an easy-iron shirt with no pleats to complicate and clutter your natural panache. Double stitching at the buttons and a rugged oxford rugby cloth make this tough, yet soft to the touch.
Shinola Runwell
The Runwell is an understated timepiece that separates the men from the boys. Hand-assembled in Detroit, The Runwell employs a sapphire crystal, 1069 high-accuracy quartz motion, and a stainless steel housing. Using an industrial metal look on both face and band adds a touch of flash at your wrist which catches the eye and says despite your laid-back appearance, you understand understated style.
Captain’s Link Knot Bracelet
Handcrafted in America, the Knot Bracelet is woven into a nautical Duncan Loop knot that is as sturdy as a single piece of rope but far more stylish. Copper accents against the teal hint at machismo but don’t shout it from the rooftops. As with all products from the Maritime Supply Company, it has a bucolic charm that fits hand in glove with modern attire as easily as overalls or boat shoes.
Mophie Juice Pack Ultra
A dead phone is the ultimate faux pas when you’re bar hopping. You won’t be able to text your mates, plug in any digits you acquire throughout the evening, or call a cab when it’s time to ride off into the night. Preventing battery drain requires the Juice Pack iPhone 6 battery case. With a full 150% charge, a late night and an early morning are no challenge for the Ultra. It will also protect your phone against drops on concrete and minor spills should you find yourself over-served and butterfingered.
Nite Ize DoohicKey QuicKey
Loading up with a full EDC multi-tool is overkill for an evening of bar hopping, but you still shouldn’t leave the home without something to handle basic repairs. With a file, scoring edge, screwdriver, serrated edge, and the all-important bottle opener, it has plenty of uses, yet can fit on your keychain stylishly and surreptitiously. Deploying it is a guaranteed conversation starter and can easily make you the hero of the evening.
Zippo Street Chrome Pocket Lighter
You may have never smoked a cigarette in your life, but that’s no excuse not to have an EDC lighter on your person. Lighting up someone’s smoke with your smooth windproof lighter complete with brushed exterior and distinctive Zippo click is the perfect introduction. It’s just enough chrome to get you noticed but not so much to be flashy and ruin the polished everyman appearance your clothes have cultivated.
Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm
Drinking causes you to lose fluids at an alarming rate, which can quickly lead to chapped lips and a dry mouth, neither of which is comfortable nor enticing. It can also become painful if you’re licking salt off your hand for shots or adding hot sauce to your Bloody Mary. Avoid the suffering and keep your mouth soft and appealing the whole night through with Jack Black’s natural lip balm. Complete with SPF protection and alluring scents.
Lyft App
Cabs are costly, take too long, and you don’t always have their number handy after you’ve knocked back a few. Don’t let that cause your evening to end in a long walk or embarrassing phone call to your friends. Instead, snap up the Lyft app and let someone else do the driving for you. A true gentleman bar hopper never endangers lives by getting behind the wheel, but also knows when to save a buck and increase his convenience.
