Why I Haven't Been In a Bar

I am 21 and have never been to a bar. I think that's pretty normal for where I live, most of my friends haven't either. Why haven't I been and why don't I go to bars on a regular basis? Well I think it's one of those alcohol-culture things that non-drinkers don't really understand. So I asked a bunch of people who are in the same boat as me why they had never been or why they never go to bars, here is a summary of the answers I got:

- "I feel like that's against the Word of Wisdom" - that is a direct quote from a Mormon friend of mine who shall remain unnamed. This is a little extreme, but it is hard to understand why a person who doesn't drink would want to go to a place that just seems like a place to drink.

-I feel like I would have to get a new wardrobe to start going to bars; I don't have adequate bar-wear. I would describe my impression of bar-wear as....business-party? For women, it's maybe silky, maybe a little revealing, maybe just a little inviting, maybe just something that will get attention in some way. For men? It definitely involves a little bit of gel in the hair, or at least hair that has clearly been done, nice jeans, and a shirt with sleeves you can roll up. Anyway, bar-wear is not my style.

-It seems like one primary motivator for going to bars is meeting people, and or hooking up. I enjoy meeting new people, but usually in a somewhat controlled environment. Going to a bar to meet people just seems to be a crapshoot in the sea of humanity. Also, bars don't seem like ideal places for conversation. How are you supposed to talk to and get to know people with the loud music? Plus the bar-type, like this guy...not my type.

-I don't dance in front of people when in my right mind. Due to the fact that I don't drink - reaching the dancing state of mind is difficult and rare.

-Most people seem to come out of bars drunk, or at least mentally disadvantaged somehow.

-Bars are where girls get raped and drugged and stalked by creepy, greasy alcoholics!

-I don't know what bars to go to, do you just pick one and head in? Is there some 'guide to fun bars' I don't know about?

So all of those are assumptions/perceptions about bars from non-bar goers. Some may seem a little ridiculous, but I think I believed each and every one at one point in my life, and I know many people who still believe them all! In reality, my situation is less a result of avoidance, and more a lack of ambition to go, no one's ever suggested it as a possible activity. It just hasn't come up. However, that changes now. I want to see these social gathering places up close. I just need some friends to volunteer to assist in my education....who's in?