Summary of Bar Etiquette
Don’t commit any of these faux pas on your next night out.
Working with customers can be a challenge—anyone familiar with the service industry understands this. Being on your feet all day, handling disgruntled patrons, and meeting high demands is not easy, no matter the passion for the job. This situation can become even more challenging when alcohol is involved. While some mistakes are clearly unacceptable, others may inadvertently annoy bartenders. To help you improve your bar etiquette, leading bartenders share what they wish customers would stop doing.
1. Snapping, Yelling, or Whistling
Rude gestures are not the best way to attract your bartender’s attention. Ray Tremblay, the corporate beverage director of COJE Management Group, emphasizes that this approach ensures you won’t receive prompt service. Instead, Jessica King, co-owner of Brother Wolf, suggests that customers put their phones down and maintain eye contact. Bartenders frequently scan the room, and “no amount of waving, whistling, or wailing will ever surpass a locked pair of eyes.”
2. Unwarranted Touching and Comments
This should be obvious: keep your hands to yourself. Touching your bartender is inappropriate. Additionally, avoid commenting on appearance; sexualizing someone is unacceptable, and telling anyone to smile is unnecessary.
3. Not Knowing What to Order After Flagging Someone Down
If you have a question, asking is perfectly fine. However, as a general rule, know what you intend to order if you’ve requested a bartender’s attention. Trevor Easton Langer, head bartender at Jac’s on Bond, highlights the importance of this, particularly during busy times or when ordering for a group.
4. Touching the Garnishes
Simply put, garnish stations are not buffets. Tremblay points out that “bartenders clean their hands countless times per night to keep their areas sanitary. When patrons stick their hands in the garnish, we must discard everything.” It’s all about common courtesy: “If you must have an olive or a slice of fruit, please ask.”
5. Diminishing the Job
During casual conversations, some seemingly innocent questions can be insensitive. Sam Lee, principal bartender at Yvonne’s, mentions how inquiries like “What’s your plan after bartending?” or “Did you go to school?” can be demoralizing and insulting. “As someone in the service industry, I have built a career and dedicated hours to education, accreditation, and mastering hospitality,” Lee explains. Assuming that bartenders are just passing through in pursuit of another passion is presumptuous and unfair.
6. Stealing
Petty theft is not only a crime but also affects businesses significantly. Head bartender Laura Unterberg notes that the Fox Bar & Cocktail Club spends thousands each year on replacing stolen items such as glassware, garnish picks, and menus. “For a small business providing employee health care and staff outings, that money could be used much more effectively.”
7. Classifying a Drink as “Girly”
Never feel ashamed of your drink choices. Although this stigma is diminishing, some guests still request different glassware or remove flowers from their drinks. “As a cocktail enthusiast, everyone should enjoy a colorful, fruity, and fun drink,” Lee expresses. “To think that an orchid or a stemmed glass could offend someone is both hilarious and sad.”
8. Not Reading the Room
Many bartenders agree that you should spend your money as you wish, but there are certain drinks to avoid ordering during busy times, such as a Ramos Gin Fizz. During peak hours, time is money, and slowing down service is not ideal.
9. Dancing in the Bar Area
It’s perfectly acceptable to dance a little while waiting for your drink. However, clearing space on the floor for you and a friend during busy times is not appropriate, cautions Josee Moua Do, a former bartender-turned-caterer. This also includes blocking staff pathways with your movements. Respect fellow customers and employees who need to carry out their duties.
10. Excessive PDA
A quick kiss or affectionate peck is fine, but overly intimate behavior at the bar can create an awkward atmosphere. “Making out at the bar is uncomfortable; the vibe shifts,” Do warns, adding, “nobody enjoys it; just go home!”
