Is it worth going to the bar alone?

Background: ever since college, I’ve found my passion of going to bars, having fun, and meeting people/socializing. I went to a party school, where as long as you got your schoolwork done, you could go out and party as much as you wanted. I remember people would go out Monday through Saturday, so you could pick and choose when you wanted to go out. In a way this created false expectations.

Ever since moving back home 2 years ago, things are quite different. I usually go to the local bars with my friends. But the thing is they close at 2 and so does every bar close by. And they’re really only crowded on weekends, only a few people go out during the week. This was quite a change from my college lifestyle. My friends also go out on weekends mostly. Ironically I live near a big city, where the social life is better and people go out everyday. The bars also close at 3/4 over there. I plan on moving out there when I can afford to.

Anyways I didn’t let that stop me from enjoying myself. This summer I’ve been in the fun mood and also want to meet more women. So I decided to start going out to bars on some weekdays. Not everyday but certain days when things are happening. Or sometimes I’ll go out on weekends when my friends can’t. I realize that I’m lucky to even have friends to go out with. A lot of times I’ll see guys alone at bars and I feel bad for them. They’re always looking for some type of connection.

So lately I’ve been going to bars alone during the week when my friends can’t go. I look at it like this, it may suck but it beats being bored at home. Plus I never know i may meet a girl. It’s happened before. It usually seems like an awful idea in my head, but when I’m there it’s not that bad. Just tonight I went out alone. These girls sat by me and we’re trying to introduce me to their friend. Then a guy came over and asked if I was alone, so we talked for a bit. Then this girl came over to buy shots and I tried to make conversation. She ended up giving me a free shot. All of this made me feel like it was worth it to go alone.

Growing up I always saw guys drinking alone at the bar, I thought it was normal. There are downsides though. For instance, I’ll usually just stare at my phone or watch tv. While everyone else is socializing, which makes me feel weird. I’ll see people glancing at me, which makes me think that they know I’m alone. Sometimes the bartenders will keep glancing at me or keep asking if I need something. It definitely makes me feel uneasy. But I guess if you’re confident enough you won’t care what people think. You’ll just own it.

I just wanted to know your guys opinions. Sometimes it’s hard for me to stay home at night. I figure going out alone is still fun and I experience opportunities that I wouldn’t have. Like having a girl come up and talk to me. But I also feel like it looks bad to depend on the bars for happiness. That I should be able to be happy alone at home. Not to mention wasting gas and money on drinks. What do you guys think?