What is proper bar etiquette?

Don't wave money, yell drink orders or interrupt.
They're making drinks, taking orders, closing tabs and doing floor service all at the same time. Don't cut them off from talking to another person; don't scream your order at them and walk away. You'll get your drink.


What are the unspoken rules of a bar?

Consider the 17 rules below to be a code of conduct for any bar.
  • Never reach over the bar. ...
  • Tip your bartenders, even if they're just cracking open a beer. ...
  • Know the bar you're in, and order accordingly. ...
  • Hold your money, don't wave your money. ...
  • Don't hog the games. ...
  • Have your FULL order ready at a crowded bar.


What should you not do at a bar?

10 Things Not to Do in a Bar
  • Don't be a bad tipper. ...
  • Don't wave money to get a bartender's attention. ...
  • Forget about hitting on the bartender. ...
  • Don't order cocktails in a beer bar (or beer in a cocktail bar) ...
  • Don't make the bartender pick your drink for you.


What are the do's and don'ts of bartenders?

Bartending 101: Conversation Do's and Don'ts for Bartenders
  • Do master the art of small talk – with icebreakers.
  • Don't engage in discussions about politics or religion.
  • Do Develop a relationship with regulars.
  • Do keep up with current events.
  • Don't be aggressive in your attempts to converse.
  • Do know the lingo.


What does knocking on the bar mean?

Some people tap their glass on the bar as a quiet tribute to absent friends and comrades. In Ireland, it was believed that liquor contained spirits that might be harmful if consumed, and tapping the glass dispelled those spirits.


Bar Etiquette Sins and How to Avoid Them



What does two fingers mean at a bar?

Whiskey is often measured in “fingers”. Simply hold your finger next to the glass and pour yourself a finger's width. For instance, if you were to order two fingers of whiskey, you'd end up with roughly two adult-sized finger widths of whiskey in your glass. Simple enough?

What does double tapping a shot glass mean?

"I've seen both: the one tap and the double tap. I was told that the double tap is one for the bartender, one for someone who is no longer with us. In Wisconsin, you're doing shots with the bartender, so there it's is your 'cheers to the bartender.

What are the common bartending mistakes?

Here are a few common mistakes and ways to prevent them:
  • Letting Chaos Take Over. It is Saturday night. ...
  • Using Glasses as Ice Scoops. ...
  • Being Overconfident with Pouring Abilities. ...
  • Mishandling Glassware. ...
  • Poor Beer Pours. ...
  • Shaking Instead of Stirring and Vice Versa.


What is the first rule of bartending?

Always respect the bar.

Do you tip bartender after every drink?

Similarly, bartenders should be tipped $1-$2 per drink or 15%-20% of your total tab. While there's no obligation to leave money in a tip jar, the Emily Post Institute recommends tipping occasionally if your server or barista provides something extra or if you're a regular customer.

How do you not embarrass yourself at a bar?

# Request for samples. If you absolutely have no idea what you want to drink, then you can ask for samples of the beer or the wines. Most bars generally do serve samples, especially if they have a lot of options to try from. Hence, this is the best way to not embarrass yourself in front of everyone else.


Is it OK to drink alone at a bar?

Drinking alone at a bar is an essential experience for any drinking grown-up. It can be wonderfully relaxing, whether you're unwinding after work at your local dive, enjoying a pre-flight cocktail at the airport lounge or sipping a glass of pinot over a good book at your favorite wine bar.

Why do bartenders leave the can tab up?

Not only do bar tabs allow bartenders to limit the number of transactions in a night, but they also make it easy to handle complex orders or serve large groups of people.

How do you confuse a bartender?

How To Confuse a Bartender
  1. Refuse a free round of drinks. ...
  2. Ask us to turn down the music. ...
  3. Say “surprise me” when we ask for your drink order. ...
  4. Order a martini when it's standing-room only at the bar. ...
  5. Order a booze-heavy cocktail, like a Long Island Iced Tea, extra strong. ...
  6. Order a complicated cocktail at a dive bar.


How do you act first time at a bar?

10 Tips on Surviving Your First Bar Experience
  1. Always tip.
  2. Have your money ready when ordering.
  3. Wait your turn.
  4. Don't expect to be served if you've had too much to drink.
  5. Don't mix too many types of alcohol.
  6. Close your tab before you leave the bar.
  7. Know how you're getting home.
  8. Don't expect free drinks.


When should you cut someone off the bar?

Ultimately, cutting someone off is at the bartender's discretion. In general, though, protocol says that if you spot someone who's over their limit, you should stop serving that person alcohol, hand over a glass of water, close the tab and call a cab. It's not always that cut-and-dry when someone's so wet, though.

What is the 3 count for bartending?

Using the four-count method, a 1.5-ounce pour is 3 counts using a pour spout. That means you'll start pouring and say “one one-thousand, two one-thousand, three one-thousand” and stop.


What are three 3 important attributes of a bartender?

5 Traits of a Good Bartender
  • 1) Knowledgeable about drinks. A professional must know their craft. ...
  • 2) Maintains cleanliness. ...
  • 3) Good customer service skills. ...
  • 4) Great time management and memory. ...
  • 5) Situational awareness.


What are the five P's of a professional bartender?

Everything from why you shake, when you muddle, to the practicalities of the job, and what we call the five 'P's of world class service: pride, passion, preparation, professionalism and presentation.

What is the hardest part of bartending?

According to bartenders, the hardest parts of bartending are:
  • Remembering Cocktail Recipes.
  • Dealing with workplace politics.
  • Creating cocktails for the menu.


What should a first time bartender know?

There are several things that beginning bartenders should know. You'll want to familiarize yourself with the common ingredients and terminology used in the bar and cocktail recipes, essential mixing techniques like shaking, stirring, and muddling, and the gear that can help you pull it all together.

What is the biggest challenge of a bartender?

The Ultimate List of Bartender Problems
  • Customers Who Don't Understand What 'Closing Time' Means.
  • The Job Is a Mixture of Hard and Rewarding.
  • Customers Who Buy One Drink on Their Card.
  • Fridays Are No Longer Fun.
  • Forgetting a Complicated Cocktail Recipe.
  • Standing on Your Feet for Your Entire Shift.


Why do you flip a shot glass upside down?

In the United States and other countries, turning your glass upside-down might indicate that you do not want anything more to drink.


Why is a jigger called a jigger?

Like many great pieces of cocktail history, the term jigger was gifted to us by the Royal British Navy. Derived from the name of the smallest mast on a ship, the jiggermast, a jigger was used to refer to a sailor's daily ration of rum and the metal cup it was served in.

What does jigger mean in bar?

A jigger, also known as a double jigger, is a bar tool for measuring and pouring alcohol. You can find jiggers at home bars and in the kits of professional mixologists. Standard jiggers feature two conjoining cups, one larger and one smaller, connecting on the closed ends and having different measurements.