Jul 29 10 Rules To Follow For Your Next Night Out…Written By @MyNameIsDuncan

Written by MyNameIsDuncan. Posted in #ohyoufancyhuh, blog, guest blogger

10 Rules To Follow For Your Next Night Out By Duncan

Pay Attention

For the past 9 months, I have been getting my money by serving people drinks. There are some constant annoyances I deal with from patrons while I’m behind the bar, so I would like to take the time to address these issues now. If you go out, especially if you’re guilty of one or more of the following, I urge you to STOP…and immediately.

1)First and foremost, you gotta tip!! Someone is doing a service for you. Waiters, delivery guys, nail technicians, hair stylists and bartenders should ALL be tipped.

A) It’s rude not to do so. If times are that hard, then you should stay your ass home with your friends and get a bottle. No shame in that.

B) Bartenders remember who tips and who doesn’t. Ask any bartender you know. People who don’t tip get served last.

If you’re tipping, you won’t wait long for drinks, even on a busy night. There’s a direct correlation between how well you tip and how strong your drinks are. Depending on the bartender (and house policy), tipping well might even result in free drinks or free shots.

Bottom Line: Take care of your bartenders and they will take care of you.

*On a related note, do NOT ask the bartender to “hook you up” or “make it real strong” on your first drink. Bartenders hear that and think “they won’t be tipping”. Order your drink, leave a tip and a good bartender will hook you up from there on out. No words necessary.

2) Please remember, especially when it’s really busy, there are only 2 or 3 bartenders for X amount of patrons. We move along down the line, or as we make eye contact. We will get to you, I promise. Getting hostile will only prolong your wait time. Threatening to throw a drink will not get you served any quicker. Actually throwing a drink will have you escorted out of the establishment immediately.

A) If the bartender takes a while to get to you, when they finally get there, don’t bitch about how long it took them to get to you. I literally had to say to someone last night, “I’m here now…do you want to argue about it or do you want to order a drink?” They kept bitching so I walked away. They did not get served.

3) Don’t call the bartender over and then say “ummm…” while you decide what you want to drink. ESPECIALLY when it’s busy. Have your order ready before you demand the bartender’s attention.

4) While the bartender is getting your drink, have your money out. Don’t wait for them to come back to you to…and then search through your purse to find your cash.

5) I’ve had people walk in and say “I’ll have a beer.” When I ask “What kind?” they say, “Any kind.” This irks me like you wouldn’t believe. I’m nice…I’ll make you choose…some bartenders will hand over the most expensive beer. Know what you want to drink…if you’re old enough to be in a bar, act like it.

6) This one is especially for women…if you come to a bar with your boo, and your bartender is a girl, please try to refrain from letting your insecurities spill out onto your face. We don’t want your man. Are we flirting and smiling? That’s our job…if you’re mad/jealous he’s giving us money, then keep his ass inside, or don’t come out with him. But please, don’t be a Debbie Downer and ruin his night.

7) Don’t come into a bar asking if we can make a drink you had at T.G.I.Friday’s. Every restaurant and almost every bar have “Specialty Cocktails” or “Signature Drinks”. If you know what’s in a drink, a bartender can make it for you. But PLEASE, don’t come in with an attitude because we don’t have Friday’s drink menu memorized. “But they made it at Friday’s”…Whelp…take ya ass back to Friday’s then….

If you’re in a bar with loud noise and/or loud music, do not whisper your drink order. Do not cover your mouth and then speak. Don’t yell AT the bartender, but make yourself heard!!!

9) Do NOT order one drink at a time unless you ONLY want one drink. Give us your order in full, if we need to clarify, we will definitely do so.

10) Please and Thank You’s go a LONG way. NEVER say “GIMMIE a vodka cranberry.” No, I will give you a swift punch in the mouth.

At the end of the day, bartenders do not HAVE to serve you. Nasty attitudes, rude comments, banging on the bar, etc, etc, etc are only hurting yourself. We are the ones in control of getting you f*cked up. Would you speak that way to someone serving you your food??? If so, I guarantee you’ve eaten some bodily fluids before…and if I might say so myself…rightly so!

Some of these probably seem like common sense…I know…but for some reason…it’s not nearly as common as you’d think.

To my bartenders…did I miss anything? What are your biggest pet peeves when you’re behind the bar?

To my drinkers (I love y’all)..what irritates you about bartenders?

Let me know..Let me know..