die and get reincarnated as a hot chick

I mean, what you would assume, I think. Cool people that tip well and can handle their booze. Also, people that are considerate human beings and don't treat bars like some rule-free adult playpen where they can act like rude idiots, that's also nice.

This is what I was looking for (Salman), because there are a lot of different interpretations of the old fashioned beyond the type of whiskey used. If you order an old fashioned in Chicago, NYC, Miami, Denver, and Green Bay, you'll get 5 similar yet distinctly different drinks. The muddled fruit version is one I tried for the first time recently and was not impressed with. The few times out east I've had old fashioned it's been more in line with what you make.

In Wisconsin where I'm from (particularly the Eastern half), and Old Fashioned is essentially a whiskey sour/sweet with the added bitters/simple syrup dimension. It's admittedly less sexy than a classic old fashioned that most people are used to, but it's also a step up from ordering a standard Jack & Coke or rail whiskey and 7 up.

One of my favorite moderations for making old fashioned as a bartender was subbing in blood orange syrup for simple syrup and garnishing with cherry.

Leaning over the bar with money/card out in your extended hand is a pretty good trick. If you're really short, stand on the bottom rung of a bar stool to do this? Frankly, if your body language says that you've been waiting a long time and you're annoyed, you'll get served faster most of the time.

this also

How tight are you on fake IDs? Or maybe questionable. I mean, I have like 4 of them and have never been refused. And often people even knew I was underage, knew my name, but looked at my fake ID and just gave me the wink and a nod "enjoy your night." Would you do that if you thought it wouldn't go sideways? Or would you refuse it?

Thoughts in general on the matter?

YB - I'd think this is largely a bouncer issue? I always assumed once you get in the door, you're all good and not really the bartender's role to check IDs.

I had no idea there were enough people that ordered Old Fashioneds to create this sort of diversity in the drink. I only started drinking them in college because it is my Dad's favorite drink (and stuck with them b/c it is a delicious drink).

Not really. Haven't only attended hopping wait in line clubs. I've rarely gotten checked outside that type of environment though. Had my first drink in a bar when I was 13, unchecked.

If I've been buying rounds of $8 drinks all night, and the bartender refuses to give me a glass of water, instead insisting I buy a $3 bottle, would it be appropriate iyo to take a **** on the bar, smash some liquor bottles, and light the place on fire? b/c I'm pretty sure that's what i'm gonna do next time.

This is a great drink and one of my faves but can be a bit strong for some people.

Gump, try a Gin Fizz, which is made up of gin, (I recommend Plymouth for this drink), fresh lemon juice, sugar and soda water. If made correctly, (doses are crucial), it is outstanding.

CQ - this is a solid thread so far and you are killing it. In honor of you, I have ordered 18 hot wings (crispy) with extra blue cheese from Ye Rustin Inn.

It depends on where you are and what the bar owner is trying to achieve. When I owned my bar in Italy I could let in almost anyone and not worry about getting fined. But my target crowd was over the age of 25, (young people generally don't know how to drink properly, don't spend enough money and cause problems), so I would generally refuse you based on this.

In Australia if you let anyone in under 18 and you're caught you are facing some massive fines.

What is your usual order at a generic dive?

ceecue,

any regrets about being a 'pro'-bartender rather than pursuing a more traditional career path? how often do/did you leave the bar after your shift hating your job? how much does a full time bartender make at your standard neighborhood bar?

How did you get your foot in the door (behind the counter?)? I bounced some in college and it seemed like the only tried and true way to do it was to work your way up at the place (and usually this was door to bar; I never tried to make the move because thumpin' on drunk frat bros who popped off at the mouth was always a ton of fun).

Is it effeminate to drink a mix drink out of a straw?
How often do girls by their own drinks?
In your opinion, whats the best way to meet people in the bar setting?

Sal,

Jelly, it is me

Everyone,

Good questions. Sleeping now, but will resume in the AM

As a semi new uncle who's trying to teach his niece some manners, I've noticed that I don't say "please" all that often. Should I say please when ordering?

Clare,

Could you please give us an anonymous version of your resume? Generalize places and descriptions of bars/restaurants that you have worked at type of thing. Basically whatever info you are comfortable sharing that gives us an idea of your career path and more specific details of where you have worked.

The reason I ask is that I cannot ask who your ideal co-bartender is because I would assume it depends on what type of bar you are working at.

You can be polite and omit the please, rude and include the please, polite and include the please, and rude and omit the please. Just be polite.

It is good to finally have a bartender in our midst. How frequently do people run out on their bill and what are the steps you take to prevent it? Have you chased them down? Do you often do most of the chasing? Do they usually get away and finally when they do get away does it come out of your pay?

your thoughts sir?


interested in this as well.

What beers seem to be the most commonly ordered?

Most common non beer drink orders from men? Women?

What pct. of the time do you receive a tip from someone who orders a single beer? (If they've been there all night roaming around and don't have a tab but are paying 1 at a time and have come up 5 different times, that would count as ordering a single beer too, just 5 different times)

Does any bar you ever worked at fill up empty top-shelf liquor bottles with a cheap version of the liquor to save money/beat customers?

Can you taste the difference between most top shelf liquors and mid/low? What about the average customer iyo? Specifically, have you ever been asked for a drink where the customer asks for something top shelf and you were out and gave them something else w/o telling them, and then they tasted the diff and called you out on it? (Judging by your posts so far I'd guess you've never done this but felt like asking anyway)

Do you ever get bored and watch guys try to pick up girls at the bar? Any good eavesdropping stories?

How often do decent looking+ women hit on you? Ugly women?

Fav drink to make? Least fav?

What do you think about leaving change in a tip? Sometimes I'll order a drink or two and, say, two dollars seems like too little, and three dollars seems like too much, and 2.50 would be right on the money, but I feel weird about leaving quarters. ?