How do I possibly enjoy cocktails in public when so many bartenders don't make them correctly?

Aside from the enormous price markups that accompany alcohol in bars and restaurants, I've had several instances now where I've ordered a cocktail and the bartender has given me something very different than what I expected, and I'm wondering if ordering cocktails in public is worth it anymore.My most recent episode was today in Bishop Arts district in Dallas at a certain bar & grill, which was decided upon by the in-laws. I saw that their happy hour lasted all day on Sundays (rad) and that they had a Manhattan listed under their specialty drinks. Looking back, my first red flag should have been that it was listed with a bunch of I-don't-really-like-the-taste-of-alcohol-I-just-want-a-sweet-drink cocktails. I ordered and after seeing the bartender SHAKE the drink in a metal tumbler, I received it at my table. I asked the waitress what went into the drink and she responded: whiskey, orange, cherry, and soda water. Uhh... So I brought it to the bar as politely as possible and told the bartender that I didn't receive what I was expecting and that I would like a different drink (a beer). The bartender asked me what I'd ordered and said "ah, we were out of vermouth so that's probably why it tasted off." (Wait, why would you...). So I went back to my table and waited, a little bit embarrassed in front of my in-laws for making a deal of this at all. The bartender came with my beer, and apologized again for the "Manhattan" and explained that she had blanked and made me an old fashioned instead, which is why it didn't taste right. Has anyone ever had an old fashioned made this way, the whiskey watered down with soda water and cheap Maraschino cherries and orange added? Also, remember, she had shaken it on ice.Experiences like these have really given me a negative view of ordering cocktails instead of making them myself. Why do trained bartenders have such a hard time making classic, hard to mess up cocktails?Also, I'm always up for changing myself. If I am in the wrong, please tell me so I can change something I'm doing and improve as a guest at restaurants and bars. Thanks!