Personal freedom is severely limited in the tavern. With only a menu of beer, beer, and more beer to order from, it's little wonder that pubs are among the most boring places on earth. Lounges are infinitely more inviting, because at least they give the impression of making an effort. Yes, the rolled red vinyl seats may sport the occasional crack. Agreed, the ceilings are burnt yellow from years of smoke.
Lounges make an effort and, similarly, hard liquor requires an effort.
It requires an acquisition of knowledge and vocabulary. It requires manners. A potential mate who drinks liquor will always be chosen over the beer-swilling dullard or the snobbish wine drinker. And with hard liquor, the conversations are snappier, the bartenders more respectful, and whatever sadness one is trying to forget blurs more easily into a wistful hope for the future. Imbibing booze denotes a maturity that's been hard-won.