The estimable bartendersare modern - day philosophers , lecturing every night to a wide belt of humanness that believably does n’t remember the lessons the next mean solar day . Also , many mixologist have philosophy degrees . And because they talk to people all about their struggle , dreams , and triumph , they ’ve belike had metre to suppose about whether there ’s a purpose to this life .

In fiat to gather all this sage soundness in one spot , we asked barman from across the country , " What ’s the meaning of life ? " Exalt Socrates all you want , but could dudemake a Negroniwhile dropping this kind of noesis ?

Mezcal is the answer

" Stop worrying about the import of life and just enjoy a mezcal . Much dewy-eyed . " –Megan Barnes , Espita Mezcaleria(Washington , DC )

The Tao of Gump

" living is like good hard liquor . The well ingredients , the more clip you put into it , and the longer you senesce it , the better it is and the more you ’ll enjoy it . " –Sean Fiori , Buddy V ’s Ristorante(Las Vegas , NV )

Quality beats quantity

" Through flock of lessons learned , the one affair that always has rest rightful in every illustration is that what ’s important can never be appraise in amount , but only in quality . In work and relationships with lovers , friends , and family . It does n’t count how many hoi polloi you know , it only count that the veracious people are there in your corner and you ’ll grow more , do more , go and love hard . With my beverage , the same principle holds true . The better the calibre of spirit in my glass , the more inclined I am to have another . " –Andra ( AJ ) Johnson , Macon Bistro & Larder(Washington , DC )

This one is 100% easier to do in a place like Aspen

" To survive every day in awe and taste of the beaut we are surrounded by , no matter what the situation may be . " –Noora Alobaidi , Nello Alpine(Aspen , CO )

Madness loves company

" The meaning of life is to larn , grow , portion , and laugh as much as you could at the insaneness of it all , and if you could do it with respectable company on different barstools around the humanity , then all the good . " –Chad Solomon , Midnight Rambler(Dallas , TX )

Happiness is contagious

" I would have to say felicity is the meaning of liveliness . Life is hard and I ’ve had my ups and down in my 27 years of life . I own my own home , have an 11 - yr - former stepdaughter , an 8 - month - old son , and I ’m getting married this summer too ! There is never a dull moment in my life and I could n’t be happier .

" As a bartender , you must be happy all the clock time , find the good in something ( even when it ’s bad ) , and take it day by day ! You only get one life , so enjoy it and all of the moment . Smile more and laugh often . I guarantee you ’ll feel better at the remainder of the day .   Happiness is communicable , so propagate the love life ! " –Dominick Demartino , Rx Boiler Room(Las Vegas , NV )

It’s a Negroni

" Years behind the Browning automatic rifle have taught me to stop looking for a meaning . Attempting to recover a grand thread that commix the human experience into a cohesive idea is a sap ’s errand that blinds us to the beauty that often exist correctly in front of us . So sit back , loosen , and allow ’s all have a Negroni . " –Tyler Ott , Ox & Son(Santa Monica , CA )

The pursuit of happiness

" Make as many people happy as you may . " –Jeremy Allen , MiniBar Hollywood(Los Angeles , CA )

Leave a legacy

" It ’s up to the individual : how would you care to be remembered ? What is your bequest ? And who will drop you ? " –Michael Avakian , Jasper ’s Corner Tap & Kitchen(San Francisco , CA )

Live like that tiny illustrated monkey

" To be invariably curious . To gainsay oneself to look outside the box for solutions , and to grow by prove . A great wine extend a surprise every time , but a make is build to be never surprising . Try something new . " –Steve Morgan , Formento’s(Chicago , IL )

Spoiler alert!

" First , you find the things that make you felicitous and give you aim . Then you adjudicate to maximise the amount of prison term you spend doing those things . Then you die . " –Rob Fick , Craigie on Main(Cambridge , MA )

That narrows it down

" Only absorb everything . " –David Greteman , Taste Bar(St . Louis , MO )

It’s on you, dude

" In my head , trying to suffice ' what ’s the meaning of spirit ? ' is adequate parts subjective and impossible . The real doubt , and only one you may event endeavour to respond , is ' what ’s the substance ofyourlife ? '   Ask and answer that for yourself and you will find a sense of aim in an otherwise terrestrial cosmos . " –Mike Henderson , Edible Beats(Denver , CO )

This bartender is apparently an actual scientist, too

" Scientifically speaking , all the studies that I ’ve ever seen , translate , or get word of stage to the conclusion that the meaning of life is to pass on our gene . But , as a barman , I would tot that the meaning of living ( for me , at least ) is to make felicity for yourself and others , but not at the disbursement of other citizenry , the surroundings , and future generations . " –Domi Robert , Sujeo(Madison , WI )

Knowledge and blood pressure medicine are key

" We have been given the gift of knowledge and the capacity to watch ( versus adapt ) . Life is about outgrowth and ego - find through exposure and vulnerability to new mass , cultures , and places on this planet . Do whatever or go wherever makes you smile , or whatever maintain your blood pressure down ! " –Kayla Oteri , Jimmy ’s Bodega(Aspen , CO )

More shots usually take care of that last part

" The meaning of aliveness is a well - made daiquiri , a pellet and a beer ( mezcal and a lager beer ) , and ripe friends . Sometimes followed by an experiential crisis . " –Evan Charest , Patina Restaurant Group(Los Angeles , CA )

Wait… then what?

" ferment hard , act as heavily , get the periodic phone telephone number . " –Tony Bisciglia , Bar Toma(Chicago , IL )

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Bartender Philosopher illustration by Thrillist’s Jason Hoffman

Jason Hoffman/Thrillist

mezcal

Laura Hayes/Thrillist

Aspen, Colorado

Flickr/Reeve Jolliffe

negroni

Flickr/Thomas Hawk

Curious George

Flickr/Thomas Hawk

chemistry book

Flickr/Windell Oskay