Bartending Pet Peeve Number One

When you work behind a bar, there are many things that the customers / guest don’t get to see or don’t understand. Sometimes we don’t want you to see things, it is part of the magic, other times we would like to let you know about something. Here’s one of those things that everyone should know. When you come to a restaurant and you are waiting in the lounge area until your tables is ready, don’t ask to transfer a tab to the restaurant without leaving a small gratuity to your bartender. Bartenders work for minimum wage. When you have a large group of people, lets say 12, and you ask the bartender for special service because it’s someone’s birthday, and that bartender provides great service and orders your appetizers and does a great job, don’t stiff them by asking to transferring the tab to the restaurant and not tipping. Even if you tip the server the full 15% for the total bill, there is no way any of that money will make it back to the bartender. Sadly, sharing isn’t a quality most people in the service industry have. There are a handful of great servers out there that will pass you some change, but the majority don’t.

Also, if you have a tab at the bar, don’t make the assumption that it will be easy to find you in the restaurant and just leave the bar. Let the bartender know that you are moving. Most of this is common sense, and 90% of people understand, but the are some who just don’t get it.

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