The bartender asked me what kind of drink I wanted.

This joke thrives on a clever twist of expectations, playing with the common desire to indulge in a luxurious experience. When someone asks for a drink that "makes them feel rich," they're usually picturing an opulent cocktail, perhaps something rare or served in a fancy glass, designed to evoke a sense of affluence and status. The humor lies in the customer's hopeful, aspirational request and the bartender's hilariously cynical interpretation of how to achieve that feeling.

Instead of concocting a lavish beverage, the bartender takes the phrase literally, but with a financial sting, simply charging extra for whatever drink is served. This creates a moment of situational irony: the customer's desire to *feel* rich is met with an action that actually *makes* them poorer. It's a playful jab at both the customer's vague request and the sometimes-exorbitant cost of a night out, a common experience for anyone who's ever looked at their bar tab with a slight wince.