it's how you phrase it (?)
I guess I should have phrased my question better. It's not that I have a problem with buying something while I'm in a bar, the question I had was, would it have to be booze (or even beer)? If it is, then the idea of going into a place is pretty well moot. If, on the other hand, they'll let me drink some bottled water or something along that line, then I'm in business.
As for how they make money, I was under the impression, from the different discussions here and elsewhere, that the house collected a fair percentage on the "lady drinks". So, if you're buying for a lady (or two or three), they should be making a nice profit off you, no matter what you've buying yourself, no? Or is that too thin a margin for them?
"The only stupid question is the one not asked. "
(anonymous)