What NOT to do while Bartending

Lessons Learned While Drunk

As you may or may not know, I was in Texas this past weekend for one of my good friend’s weddings. It was really great to be on the OTHER side of the bar for a change and drink heavily and enjoy good company!

Well, one of the benefits of stepping outside of your bartending position and putting yourself into the shoes of your customer, is you get a REAL feel for what defines a GOOD Bartender. Well in this case, I was easily able to identify what defines a BAD bartender.

Why this Bartender Sucked MORE than “Meet The Spartans”

Excuse the obscure movie reference, I can rant about my disdain for that film in another post, but none of the groomsmen and I liked this bartender one bit! Ya he was old, creepy looking, and lacked any real personality or energy (everything that a bartender should have) but here is where he sent me over the edge:

My buddy Drew and I walk up for our 3rd Margarita in less than the first thirty minutes of the ceremony (in my defense, it was hot, I was thirsty, I like tequila…what?!) and here is what our friendly, neighborhood bartender said to us:

“Alright boys, you’re on the clock” (As he handed us number three)

I exchanged glances with my drinking buddy and decided I wasn’t going to just walk away from this one with a curtesy smile.

“I’m sorry…what clock would that be?” (Ya, I’m a sarcastic drunk)

Well, the bartender proceeded to tell us how he had noticed that we had been drinking rather quickly and that we were on his “watch list” (wtf?). If we kept drinking at this rate, he would have to “cut us off” WOW! The three words that NO patron ever wants to hear…and he just went there! Oh Snap!

Ok, ok, so even though I was proud that someone had taken notice of my drinking talents, I was still perturbed by his comments…thus he was labeled by me and Drew (and all the groomsmen) as a BAD BARTENDER.

So, What Should you NEVER do?

Before this post looks more like a big whiny complaint from a guy who actually had an amazing night (I later bypassed the whole bartender thing and found my own bottle of tequila, it never left my hand…”classy!”) there is something of value here that I want to share with you….really…

Do not condescend your patrons and convey your opinions of their drinking habits to them-especially in the first 30 minutes of the party! You are the LIFE of the party-not the DEATH of it! Now don’t get me wrong, “cutting someone off” is serious business and when it needs to be done, only a select few bartenders can effectively do it without any confrontations. And when it needs to be done, it should NOT be avoided by any means. BUT, for someone to warn you, and threaten to cut you off is GRATUITY SUICIDE!

In short, if you say “I’m going to cut you off,” you better just go ahead do it right then and there!

More NO-NO’s

Well, while we are on it, here are a few more things that a GREAT Bartender should never, ever do. Most are quick and easy and you probably already know them! I would LOVE to hear your comments, please feel free t add to the list!!

• Never Count your Tips in front of Guests
• Never turn your back to a guest while making his/her cocktail
• Never chew gum/eat food while working (I didn’t say drink!!!)
• Never leave your bar a mess-I hate that!
• Never use the glass to scoop the ice!
• Never arrive un-groomed and untidy
• Never talk politics or religion
• Never bring your baggage/BS Drama to work
• Never be the DEATH of a Good Party!

…I dunno, that’s all I got for now, anybody else?

Hope you enjoyed the post…cheers!

James Wedmore
www.BartenderforProfit.com