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.
Popular Etiquette for going out to a bar : lowerautoinsurance said:
[…] Original post by Mohawk Matt […]
August 24th, 2008 at 5:07 pm #
Tom Neal said:
Yo Mo-Matt,
Speaking from the other side of the bar (hic), I essentially concur with your ground rules. On the other hand, I hold bartenders to a code of practice myself. 1. Be aware of your customers; when they are standing at the bar looking at you, they often are in need of something. Don’t just go get that glass you needed and ignore them until it’s convenient. 2. Be aware of customers’ bottles and glasses; if they’re nearly empty, you might ask if they want another. 3. Be efficient (see #1 and #2); find ways to accommodate more than one person or task at a time. This is what the pros do. 4. Offer a glass of water. 5. If your bar doesn’t offer food, or even salty snacks, don’t eat your lunch behind the bar in full view of your patrons. 6. It’s great to have friends who are customers, and to talk with them, but don’t ignore the other people who may be looking for your service. 7. Leave the bad attitude at home; bartending is a people job, it requires people skills and a willing smile. 8. The customer may not always be right, but in most cases, they are worthy of respect and fairness and the benefit of the doubt. 9. Good bar skills and warm treatment of customers keeps people coming back, and that’s good for business. 10. Know what products are stocked in your bar, so you can fully answer a question like, “What kinds of vodka do you have?” or “Do you carry 45th Parallel?” 11. (and very very important) Know how to make a martini.
August 26th, 2008 at 11:09 am #
Citizen Wausau » Blog Archive » Your Voice: Sept 3 said:
[…] • And this from back before the holiday, but it still applies: Mohawk Matt’s guide to etiquette at the bar. […]
September 3rd, 2008 at 12:30 pm #