Well Drink
Also known as: rail drink, house pour
A cocktail made with the bar's house spirits, which are typically the most economical options kept in the speed rail or well.
A well drink is a cocktail made with the house spirits that a bar keeps in the speed rail or well - the most accessible and typically most affordable options. Understanding well drinks helps navigate bar pricing and expectations. The well or speed rail is the metal rack at bartender waist level holding frequently used bottles. These bottles are within easy reach for fast service. At most bars, well spirits represent the default option when you order a cocktail without specifying a brand. When you order a vodka soda without naming a brand, you receive well vodka. When you order a Margarita without specifying tequila, the bar uses well tequila. This is standard practice and keeps prices lower for customers who do not have brand preferences. Well drink quality varies dramatically by establishment. Dive bars may stock harsh, bottom-shelf spirits. Quality cocktail bars often use respectable well spirits that produce good drinks. Some bars take pride in their wells, selecting affordable but quality options. The economic logic is straightforward. Well spirits cost the bar less, allowing lower menu prices. Premium and top-shelf spirits cost more, justifying higher prices. The well-call-premium pricing tier structure appears in virtually every bar. Asking what is in the well is perfectly acceptable. Bartenders expect the question and will tell you the brands stocked. This information helps decide whether to accept well spirits or upgrade to a specific brand. Well drinks suit certain situations better than others. For mixed drinks where the spirit is less prominent - vodka sodas, rum and Cokes, simple highballs - well spirits often work fine. For spirit-forward drinks where you taste the spirit clearly, consider upgrading. The term well drink is specific to bar terminology. You would not use it at a restaurant or when ordering wine. It applies to the house spirits used for cocktails and simple mixed drinks. Well pricing typically represents the lowest tier for mixed drinks. Above well come call drinks (specifying a mid-range brand) and top-shelf or premium drinks (highest quality brands available).
💡 Pro Tips
- Well quality varies significantly between bars - ask what brands they use
- Fine for mixed drinks where the spirit is less prominent
- Ask what is in the well if quality matters to you
- Upgrade for spirit-forward drinks where you taste the base clearly
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Assuming all well spirits are low quality
- Ordering well for spirit-forward cocktails like Martinis
- Not asking what brands are in the well when unsure
- Paying premium prices when well would suffice for simple mixers
