If you’re getting the “stink eye” from your bartender, it might be because you did this…
It’s one thing to not know what you want to drink when you walk up to the bar, but it’s entirely another thing when you ask the bartender to make something up for you and then say it’s gross and you don’t want it anymore. That right there in the bar business is what we call a “dick move”.
Two nights ago I had a little chat with a guest about a drink I made for her that she didn’t like; it went like this:
Bartender: Hey there, how are ya? What can I get for ya?
Guest: Ummmmm, I don’t know, I want something good…
Bartender: Okay, like beer good? Or like cocktail good?
Guest: Ummmm, like cocktail good.
Bartender: Alright, you thinkin’ whiskey? Rum? Vodka? Tequila? Is there anything you don’t like?
Guest: Whatever! Just make up something good and sweet!
Bartender: Well okay then!
(eighteen seconds later)
Bartender: Here ya go! That’s $5.50…
Guest: (takes a sip of the drink) Ohh yuck! That’s gross! What is that?
Bartender: “That” is blueberry vodka with lemonade and a splash of cranberry juice, and the little green thing is a lime wedge (I didn’t really say that last part about the lime).
Guest: Ohhh, I don’t like it. Make me something else.
Bartender: (long sigh) Well that’s not really how it works…
Guest: Why not? I don’t like this one.
Bartender: So who’s paying for this one I just made?
Guest: Do you want me to pay for it?
Bartender: You know what, don’t worry about it…just tell me what you would like.
Guest: I don’t know, something good, but not like that other one!
Bartender: Nah, we played that game already, I didn’t like it. How about you tell me what you want?
Guest: Fine! Just give me a Bud Light.
Bartender: I need an aspirin.
Before you think that I’m just being sensitive that she didn’t like the drink I made for her…I’m not! I don’t care if you don’t like the drink I made, but if you relinquish your responsibility to make a decision on a drink and you give that responsibility to the bartender, then human nature and common decency dictates that you pay for it, learn from your mistake, and move on. Don’t blame me because you’re the only person in the world who doesn’t like blueberry vodka with lemonade and a splash of cranberry juice!!
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