Ask a Bartender anything

36 Questions

Last Answer on September 09, 2013

Are bartenders allowed to drink on the job?

Asked by goBILLS over 13 years ago

That is a great question!! I was going to look this up but then I thought… that really wouldn’t be as interesting of an answer as me saying ‘I have no bloody idea!!’. My bar staff is not allowed to drink while working. That does not stop anyone. I have put vodka in water bottles, baileys in coffee, beer in take out coffee cups, and had other staff members be on the look out while taking shots. We look out for each other and it’s something that’s expected in the industry. It’s difficult to be around people drinking all night every night and not partake.

483 Votes

As a female bartender, is there ever pressure from your employer to look attractive, dress in a particular way, or be flirty with the customers?

Asked by Edna Krabappel over 13 years ago

Good question!! There is never pressure from my employer.... however I work in a bit of a 'grubby' bar. They are impressed if I wear jeans that don't have holes in them. I typically put on a bit more makeup on weekends but thats purely for a.better tips, and b. to pick up. Hey... working in a bar I don't get to go out on weekends, therefore thats my time to pick up too! ;)

480 Votes

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Do female bartenders make more in tips than men?

Asked by Meghan over 13 years ago

Yes and no. Yes, female bartenders typically make more in tips from men and woman.... however in my bar I move a bit slower than the male bartenders, therefore I may make more in tips but I serve less customers. I am a believer in good service = good tips. I take my time with people, chat with them, ask them how their night is going. The male bartenders rarely do this. They just try and serve as many drinks as possible.

477 Votes

What's an appropriate amount to tip a bartender?

Asked by 404chico over 13 years ago

An appropriate tip for a bartender…..hmm….that’s a tough call. I am of the mind set that just because you work at a bar doesn’t mean you deserve a tip. Customer service is key in this field as it is in any. However with that said, the expected or ‘appropriate’ tip is $1 per drink. As a bartender we make minimum wage, and minimum wage for someone in this industry is lower than the standard minimum wage. We live off our tips.

477 Votes

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I've seen behind some bars where cleaning the drinking glasses just meant "double-dunking" them in a sink of water. Are these glasses really clean enough to drink from?

Asked by Phlipsyde over 12 years ago

The answer I would like to give you is: every glass all the time is cleaned perfectly. Unfortunately the honest answer is: There have been days when our glass washer was broken (ie not using soap) and no one noticed hours later. Mind you, typically we are very careful about this sort of thing. I have rinsed out beer jugs and re-used them, typically for the same table that has re-ordered another jug, and some customers actually specifically ask to re-use their same glass. As for 'double-dunking' ..... we stay away from that! There are strict health and safety laws that we must follow and it is not worth risking being shut down. Thats just us though.... I'd definitely question the bar if you get a glass with giant red lip stick stains on it!

476 Votes

What are your favorite and least favorite drinks to make and why?

Asked by EmilyStylist over 13 years ago

favorite: cracking open a beer. Least favorite: anything that requires shaking, layering or multiple ingredients. We all dread making martinis, and/or shots that have 5 ingredients. They take so long to make and yet you're still making the same in tips!! Plus martini drinkers are typically uber particular.... never a good quality in a customer.

475 Votes

Ever caught a customer stealing a tip off the bar?

Asked by BaronVon over 13 years ago

It happens all the time, but I've never caught the culprit unfortunately. I did chase a guy down the street one night for walking out on his bill though.

475 Votes