As an alcoholic, I know I can't go completely dry if I'm going out, so I'm a fan of disciplined nursing if I'm looking to pick up. Find your "invincible" drink - whatever you can pound back on end (mine's G&T) - and order that. Then just take the occasional sip - remember that for the night it's more like an ornament than a drink. By the end of the night, you'll likely have only put back 3 or 4 and you should be fully sober. G&T is also a good one because if you want to slow down or if you're getting thirsty, you can switch to soda water and nobody can tell. Of course, discipline is the key: like Frank the Tank said "It's so good when it hits your lips"
