Barfly Best Practices

When finished with a can, crush it slightly to let the bartender know what’s up

If there are multiple bartenders and there is one you favorite, don’t be afraid to tell the others if you’re approached that you’re “good” with a wave of the hand. Then just be patient til you can order with your preferred.

One way to hit on a bartender is to say, “buy you a drink?”

An experienced server (one that’s probably worth your time) will tip cash face down. When you collect your change, leave the bills for the tip face up.

what is this nonsense

servers must fucking hate you

barfly best practice: run a tab, pay once, when you leave, tip 20-25%. fin.

does the alcohol go in the mouth or can it be drank another way

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GCcoaSq3x4

I don't get this leaving cash out on the bar.

Yeah, if it's a tip, but keep it in your pocket otherwise.

Keep in mind — from a bartender’s perspective, there’s nothing more useless than a patron commenting on the music.

ugh, nice newer bar and this group came in and they all are sitting, not waiting in a line. and two are doing the “holding cash up to get service” move. ok, it’s a small space and they are servicing _your group_ from left to right. you are the only people this guy is serving. and the guy near me has money in hand and singles on the bar in front of him, in some passive aggressive “this is the tip” move. and when he is about to be served, he puts those singles back in his wallet

diiiiiiieeee

If the tables are wobbly, place your drink in the middle

If the drinks are wobbly, place your

came here to post the same video as brownie upthread

When paying with a card at a new place, provide the most exclusive plastic (or metal) that you can. This may lead to better service and customer prioritization in anticipation of a large tip.

rich people are bad tippers so this probably won't work

my wife got a 10% tip from one of the countries wealthiest real estate developers/art patrons

lol yeah

this thread makes going to the bar seem like going to the soup nazi

“When in groups of 5 or multiples of 7, make sure to all sit on the same side on the booth and throw 8 five dollars bills folded into airplanes towards the bartender every 24 1/2 minutes”

also know the code name for your drink. calling it by its real name is an insult

Bwahaha

Assuming the bartender is busy, lower your cost per hour at the bar by bringing a thermos or flask from home

PROTIP: Don't go to a bar during COVID

Sometimes a big tip is necessary to alert a new or unfamiliar bartender that you’re “worthy” of buybacks. So if there’s someone new behind the bar, be generous and look forward to the next time for reciprocation.

Just stand in one place and drink until you fall over

If it’s busy, and you score a good spot or table: to deter squatters, order doubles, and have a spare drink on the table at all times

how is that not a dick move

If it’s crowded, place your half empty drink in clear view of the bartender so that it’s clearly visible when they make their rounds. This allows them to quickly assess, together with a nod on your part, that you’re in need of another round.

half empty? we only drink half?

Drinking half is a dick move

Tip directly into the recipients hand / vision

You all stealin what’s not yours can gfy

When arriving at the bar and verbally greeting the bouncer or bartender, volume is more important than content

strolls into doorway, screams "FUCK UP CUNT!!!" across the room, returns to outdoor seating and waits for preferred beverages to be fetched.

When paying cash and breaking a large bill, if you have enough for a tip in small bills, give that to the bartender when he gives you your change. This precludes the never-graceful “let me give you a tip from the change” interaction

Don’t creep or hit on the staff

If you’re sitting outside and it’s windy and seats at the place are at a premium and you’re not finished with your round and you have a glass of water and a clean napkin at hand and you need to vacate your spot temporarily, dip a corner of the napkin into the water and drape it over the round, wet edge touching rim and facing the prevailing direction of the wind. This will decrease the chances your napkin will blow away while you’re elsewhere, thereby decreasing the chances a customer looking for a seat will assume yours is available vis a vis the “abandoned” round.

If you need to limit yourself, order the last round, provide your card, and ask the server to close you out

Most graceful way to close out?
My vote goes to asking for a glass of water or club when you do so to savor the moment a bit longer

Some bartenders will sooner give you a buyback if you pay with a card rather than cash; you will have to determine this via experience

Always have more cash on hand than necessary

When paying cash and breaking a large bill, if you have enough for a tip in small bills, give that to the bartender when he gives you your change. This precludes the never-graceful “let me give you a tip from the change” interaction

Fair

as a server for the time being, i completely agree -- just tell me how much you want back and i will bring it. don't make me do math!!

then again, if i am the most sober person (usually) and you cannot be trusted to do math bc u been drinking, i will do it

A safe assumption

Stack your cash tips in single file if the service doesn’t pick up after each round. A mess of singles could give the wrong impression.

Each time you visit a regular spot, alternate between paying cash and with a card. Eventually you will be able to earn a free drink — either via the bartender assuming you’re paying with a card, or via plausible deniability that you forgot which payment method you’re using.

If a bartender in a plausible but uncommon spot recognizes you (“how’ve you been?”) but you don’t recognize them, confess the truth