question about bars in California
 

...or pubs throughout the States, for that matter.
I am currently having a lot of fun planning my first trip to the States, and have noticed that a lot of websites for bars and pubs mention "well drinks" Help! What does this mean? Its a description I've never come across before.

thanks in anticipation

You made me ask questions about this one :)

The " well" is the rack that the drinks are poured from. It is what the bar stocks to make most of their drinks & kept handy for the bartenders.
It isn't what you see on display behind the bar.

Scarlett stated it very well. No pun intended. ((a))

For example, Smirnoff vodka may be the the well vodka. If you wanted a different vodka, let's say Grey Goose, it would cost you more. Similar to a "call" brand.

P.S. I hope you're not a smoker, because the bars & restaurants in California are non-smoking. ((b))

At Budman's Bar, the display behind the bar would have Grey Goose on the "top shelf" and Smirnoff on the lower. But both would be in the well, I think. If the websites are mention "well drinks" with prices then they are referring to their "call" brands. If you ask for a vodka & tonic then you will get Smirnoff (call brand) & tonic at Budman's Bar. If you ask for Grey Goose and tonic then you will get that top-shelf brand vodka poured from a bottle from the well (and it will cost more than the call brand).

Yes. Your explanation was very clear. ((b))

When you order a vodka tonic and don't ask for a particular vodka, you get the house brand which is called the well brand.

Anytime you ask for a mixed drink without specifying brand, you get the well brand.

Well, I guess it gets down to what the definition of "well" is. ((a)) ((b))

I always think of it as a well drink is what you get if you don't "call" it. Like a gin and tonic (yum) can be pretty good depending on the gin the house serves. I always ask "what's the well gin?" Then I order a Tangueray! HA!

thankyou, I hoped my question didn't seem naive, its just a term we don't use in the UK,

many thanks

Dear libuse,
I'm sure we Yanks would appear totally clueless with some of British pub lingo I've heard. Heed the previous poster's mention of non-smoking establishments being the norm. It's what it is now.

Have a good trip!

Go's explanation is perfect (hi, Go!! :) ), as is Suzie's. If you drink your hard liquor without mixer (I drink vodka on the rocks), I highly recommend NOT relying on the well booze, as it's usually pretty low-rent (off-brands like Popov are normal).

Bars and restaurants in CA are proudly non-smoking. Our usually mild weather (when it's not raining buckets like this morning) allows for outside smoking areas (I call them "International Houses of Cancer"-- can you tell I'm an ex-smoker?) for most bars. That may be by the door....

Oh well, have a great trip!