Can I ask the bartender or restaurant clerk these questions: What kind of alcohol do

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B45

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Can I ask the bartender or restaurant clerk these questions:

What kind of alcohol do you guys have?

Or

What kind of alcohol do you have?

Or

What kind of alcohol are there?
 

konungursvia

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The first two are possible, but not really normal. Only ethyl alcohol is served. You should really ask what kind of alcoholic drinks they have. The last one is just wrong. Alcohol is singular. Kind is singular. The verb "are there" has no need to be in the plural, and should read "is there." Ethyl alcohol has 2 carbon atoms: CH3CH2OH. Methyl alcohol, CH2OH, makes you go blind. There are also many other less common kinds.
 

SoothingDave

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People don't usually start with the largest possible group when asking for choices. They normally have some idea of what they are looking for. There can be literally hundreds of different spirits, wines and beers available.

Do you have beer? What beers do you have?

Do you serve liquor or just beer and wine?
 

Roman55

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I am not a teacher.

You could ask what kind of alcohol/alcoholic drinks they serve.
 

bhaisahab

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Can I ask the bartender or restaurant clerk these questions:

What kind of alcohol do you guys have?

Or

What kind of alcohol do you have?

Or

What kind of alcohol are there?

I see you are in South Korea now.
 
B

B45

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People don't usually start with the largest possible group when asking for choices. They normally have some idea of what they are looking for. There can be literally hundreds of different spirits, wines and beers available.

Do you have beer? What beers do you have?

Do you serve liquor or just beer and wine?

What about:

What kind of hard liquor do you guys have?


Can you say "you guys" or does that not make sense?
 

SoothingDave

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What about:

What kind of hard liquor do you guys have?


Can you say "you guys" or does that not make sense?

Sure and sure. I wouldn't say "you guys" in a fancy place, but I'm not likely to be drinking in any fancy places.
 

Rover_KE

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Batman, I don't understand the purpose of your question.

If you're talking to a bartender, the entire range of alcoholic drinks he serves will be on open display.
 
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B45

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It's not just a bar scenario I'm inquiring about. What if I was on a train or plane?
 

MikeNewYork

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Most bars, even on trains and planes, have the standard fare.
 

riquecohen

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People don't usually start with the largest possible group when asking for choices. They normally have some idea of what they are looking for. There can be literally hundreds of different spirits, wines and beers available.

Do you have beer? What beers do you have?

Do you serve liquor or just beer and wine?

As Dave has already suggested, you should narrow down the choices. "What beers/vodkas/Scotches do you have?"
 
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B45

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As Dave has already suggested, you should narrow down the choices. "What beers/vodkas/Scotches do you have?"

Yes, but my question was actually the use of "do you guys have" - if it's okay to include guys in the sentence or does that sound off?
 

riquecohen

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Yes, but my question was actually the use of "do you guys have" - if it's okay to include guys in the sentence or does that sound off?
You guys is very informal and completely unnecessary. You is sufficient.
 

MikeNewYork

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I have no problem with "you guys" informally.
 
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