Popular Etiquette for going out to a bar
Ok, I’m going to lay down some ground rules and peeves I have about bar customers. These aren’t set in stone, nor are they expected to be followed at all times. Some of them would seem to be common sense, and others may be unheard of, but at least I’m putting them out there. There seems to be a lack of courtesy to the bar when some people come out, and while the use of alcohol may be attributed, some people are dead sober when they commit these offenses.1. Tip the bartender. Whether for service or demeanor, if you’ve been served a drink in a timely and fashionable manner, tip the server. When you order your bloody mary or vodka gimlet or just a bottle of beer, the bartender is doing you a service. If you don’t think so, don’t come out. Bartenders make their money on tips, not wage. We also put up with your requests for a little more wash, a slice of lemon, a straw, some peanuts, the jukebox a little louder, a napkin, a different TV channel, quarters for the pool table, and then another drink. We then repeat this process 50 times or more a night. Tips are appreciated. 1a. If you feel that the bartender has not lived up to your expectations, then a tip is not required. But ask yourself, what are your expectations? Is it a Friday night and really busy, or is it a Tuesday afternoon and you’re the only one there? Make sure to evaluate the situation. 2. Don’t tell the bartender how to do his or her job. If you would like a drink made a certain way, that’s fine. But don’t tell me to make a Jack and Coke much stronger when you’re only willing to pay what a normal one costs. Don’t tell me you want a free beer, ’cause now you’re not getting one. Sometimes the specials on the wall are not in effect, due to other specials or entertainment. Don’t tell me the specials that are going on right now, unless I actually forgot them.3. Keep the damn gum out of the ashtray. If it went there, it would be a gumtray.4. Respect other people in the bar. Common sense, but it doesn’t always happen.5. Come to the bar with enough money. If you run out, don’t make it the bartenders problem that you spent it all. And don’t go around begging the other customers for drinks. That just makes you look like a bum.5a. Save your quarters, nickels, and dimes for the laundry mat. Sometimes the bar might need quarters, but generally, I’m not going to cash $23 in quarters so you can get a tap beer and then gamble.6. The jukebox is for everyone, not just you. You should not be putting $10 in at a time and clogging it up with AC/DC, Metallica, and George Jones for an hour and a half. 7. The bartender is not a babysitter. If you can’t handle your alchohol, I will kick you out. Simple as that, I’m not going to keep you in your seat so you don’t start fights. You will leave the bar, that’s that. And don’t think about nap time. It’s not daycare.8. The bartender cannot make cabs get to the bar any sooner. If one was called, it will get there when it does. We’re not magic. 9. If you gamble and it is busy, and you want to cash out or whatever, you are not my priority. Serving drinks is. I will get to you when I do, so be patient. The easiest way is to order a drink and cash out at the same time. Double bonus.10. Finally, at bar close, leave. I want to go home, and to do that, you and your friends need to leave. There is no reason to stay after and talk inside when you can do so outside. It just makes the bartenders life more of a hassle, especially at 2:30 in the morning.With that said, have fun in the bar or tavern you are in. I know most of this will fall on deaf ears on citizen wausau, because not alot of the audience I am targeting frequent the site, but at least I said something.