Rules of Being a Bar Patron

Ok so a lot of my friends either work or have worked in a bar/restaurant at some point in their life. We all have the same complaints about certain customers and their tact or lack thereof. I have made this post to help out all of those out there who frequent bars whether it be on weekends or random week nights. These are real suggestions or things you must know in order to make sure you have a happy server/bartender and don't get a Waiting type of experience!!

First and foremost our bar is run on an Ipod therefore we do not have a DJ, it is on a random playlist made earlier in the day, do not request songs, if you do and it is not played right away do not come up and bother the staff to play a song, it will be played, if it is not played, still do not come up and bother the staff. Playing Piano Man at midnight will not get the crowd going and we do not want to lose our crowd.

The Security:

Do not show the bouncer an ID and joke that it's a fake (it's super annoying and they hear it all the time and makes them not want to let you in for being a complete doofus_

Don't ask the bouncer if he is serious when asked for an ID, yes he is serious, just because you come in there every now and then does not mean they know you because they see hundreds of people on a weekend and will not remember your face.

Always have your ID ready, the bouncer will card you no matter what, it's their job on the line. Not only is it annoying for the staff to wait for you to dig through your large bags filled with odds and ends but it is inconsiderate to the people waiting behind you, especially in those cold winter months while everyone is freezing on the streets of Chicago.

A bouncer may be going around picking up glasses or helping out his serving staff, that does not mean he can get you a drink or order food, they surely have other things to do.

If you see a bouncer coming through at a brisk pace they are most likely about to break up a fight or take care of some asshole who is out of control, move your ass!

Please do not throw up on the bar, around the bar, or on the floor, there are garbage cans placed everywhere within the bar and holy shit theres a bathroom for a reason, who knew?!

Servers:

If you have never worked in the industry it is a very tough job and requires quick thinking, lots of memorizing, and always having a happy face. On that note please do not treat us like we are lower class because we are serving your drinks and food. In all actuality we probably make more money than you do and have a better time at work, we do not appreciate being talked down to or like we are brain dead, most of your servers have college degrees and are very intelligent, some use this as a second means of money, so please treat us like you would treat your family

DO NOT BRING YOUR CHILDREN TO THE BAR. If you have ever been to a bar and have sat next to kids, it can be annoying if the children are out of control. However if your children are well behaved and don't run around like uncaged animals it is more acceptable.

On the same note, parents do not look at the young adults sitting next to you dropping the f bomb with disgust, youre at a bar, it happens.

Be patient, we have many customers and tables and will get to you as fast as possible, however when a rush comes in and many people sit at once it is stressful for us as well and we want to make your experience great, but need you to understand we can only go as fast as the guy sitting next to you asking questions. When we come up please don't treat us like you just waited for a half hour when really its only been 2 minutes, it puts us in a bad mood and makes us not want to help you as much as the person being nice to us.

Have your money ready, if you are paying cash please have it ready when we get to the table, especially on a busy night, we are there to make money to and it is aggravating to wait for you to dig through your wallet.

When we say ALL food is a certain price, that means all food is a certain price, there generally arent and exceptions. When we say drafts are $3 that means all drafts, you dont need to start naming specific drafts to double check, we would specify if it was different. Also do not stare at the beer taps or the menu where the drinks are right in order and ask whats on tap....

Just because we are your server does not mean you can grab us, poke us, fondle us, or make obscene comments. We will get the bouncer and have you escorted out. We are not pieces of meat so do not treat us disrespectfully, if you wouldnt want your sister to be treated that way then you need to do the same.

Do not ask us to split people into couples after you have eaten and drank everythign and the night is coming to a close, generally this problem comes when you have 20 people and at the end the tab is $400 and you expect me to remember specifically who had what.

We do love hearing jokes and stories that every person has to offer, please do not be offended if we have to leave in the middle to take care of another table, it is a part of the job description to wait on tables.

Tipping seems to be a problem for some people, 20 percent is acceptable, anything more and you will surely receive even better service the next time around. Anything less than 20 is insulting as we just busted our ass to serve you and give you a great night out. If you can't afford to tip your servers adequately you probably shouldnt be out drinking...just saying.

Do not be insulted when we ask for a credit card to start a tab, it is to save our asses from paying your bill if you walk out on accident or purpose. It has nothing to do with who you are, its a precaution for us.

Do not send us on an order and have us come back and order something else, and continue to do this, order all at once. If you think you may run out of something by the time we return please order when everyone else does.

Bartenders:

Always have your money ready or your card you are laying down for a tab...plain and simple, no one likes to wait.

Do not wave your money around, instead hold the money out and make eye contact with the bartender they will get to you when they have a chance.

Do not yell our names, yes you may know it, yes we may know yours, but it is still annoying to hear your name yelled all night, and generally you will not be served first.

I know this should be a given but don't steal tips off the bar, it's just rude and will get you permanently banned from the bar.

Do not wave your money and have the bartender come over then tell them you want one drink and ask everyone around you what they want, have your order ready when the bartender arrives. Do not wave the person behind you in on your order either, it is not ok.

Do not tell the bartender you want a beer and when they come back you want a drink, when they come back a 3rd time tell them you want something else, by this statement I mean all in one order, if you want 3 different things let them know at one time, unless you leave them a hefty tip/

If you want to be served first leave a great first tip and you will be sure to be served before everyone else.


So these are just some of the things that I have talked to other industry employees about, all of these rules are made because they have happened at least once but mostly on a nightly basis. I promise if you follow these rules your experience and ours will be a great one!