Theres the obvious stress that comes with preparing drinks under time pressure for a never-ending stream of customers.
But every night, we also process an untold number of idiotic statements and requests that drive us crazy, even though we politely nod in response to the customers who make them.
I wish I could blame the bad banter on people overdrinking, but frankly, a lot of the weird things that come out of peoples mouths are simply the result of having never worked in the service industry. If you could see things from the bartenders perspective, you might think twice about asking for “a strong pour” or for your bartender to “surprise” you, for example. Advertisement
Theres a lot you can say to be a better bar guest, but you can do a favor for bartenders everywhere by simply not saying certain things.
So with that said, consider taking a thoughtful pause before uttering any of these 11 phrases to your bartender. Advertisement
What should you never ask a bartender? Never ask for drinks “on the house”. A bartender will most often give/buy/comp a round for an individual or group for specific reasons. For regulars it may include a patron’s birthday, someone getting a promotion or receiving bad news.
On a similar note, ‘Do you make a good old fashioned?’
You can replace old fashioned here with any kind of classic cocktail, like a mojito, daiquiri or cosmo.
I dont understand why people ask if we make a good version of any cocktail. Which is why I usually pause to collect myself before slowly, and with a hint of scorn, saying “… Yes.”
What other response could there be?
“No. I guess you should go to another bar,” perhaps. Advertisement
‘You should smile more.’
This is my No. 1 pet peeve.
Its rude, uncalled for, and 99.9% of the time, directed at women whose male colleagues are equally liable to be called out — not that you should call out any of us. Consider this: Smiling might literally be driving us to drink more after our shift.
Something to think about next time you feel like harassing your bartender to give you a smile.
Its normal that a lot of bartenders assume a Resting Bartender Face, the focused facial expression we might land on when were trying to do the best job possible.
Do you have a huge, giddy smile when youre filling out spreadsheets, editing an article, drawing blood, mixing tracks, or whatever else your job entails? Probably not. So please — let this one go. Our reason for not smiling isnt because we hate you. Were just trying to focus. Advertisement
If Bartenders Were Honest
FAQ
What three things should you not talk about at a bar?
What bartenders won t tell you?
What should I say to my bartender?
There’s a lot you can say to be a better bar guest, but you can do a favor for bartenders everywhere by simply not saying certain things. So with that said, consider taking a thoughtful pause before uttering any of these 11 phrases to your bartender. ‘You should smile more.’ This is my No. 1 pet peeve.
Should you ask a bartender to surprise you?
If you could see things from the bartender’s perspective, you might think twice about asking for “a strong pour” or for your bartender to “surprise” you, for example. There’s a lot you can say to be a better bar guest, but you can do a favor for bartenders everywhere by simply not saying certain things.
Is smiling at a bartender rude?
It’s rude, uncalled for, and 99.9% of the time, directed at women whose male colleagues are equally liable to be called out — not that you should call out any of us. Consider this: Smiling might literally be driving us to drink more after our shift . Something to think about next time you feel like harassing your bartender to give you a smile.
Should you greet guests when a bartender is busy?
Don’t forget to greet guests when you’re busy. It can be very frustrating when you arrive at a busy bar and feel like the bartender has no idea you’re waiting to be served. No matter how busy it is, it’s important to always acknowledge when a new customer has arrived.