Drinking bartenders

Maybe they'll be more likely to give you a discount.....BOGO

 

Yeah. Very not a fan of that. Aside from issues of liability, accident potential and so forth, it's just not very professional.
I am fine with them taking a sample now and then, especially when someone has an issue with a beer, and I know one bar that has the bartenders take a straw sample of each cocktail they make, to be certain it's right.
I have a problem with the bartenders taking shots, pulling pints for themselves and so forth when they're obviously working.

 

You can't drink on the job serving customers and handling money etc. Most places it's a definite no and a fireable offense.

 

Why don't you agree? I think it's important that you back up your opinion with some sort of reason other than, "It bothers me."

I assume it helps them loosen up and be more talkative with customers. I used to work in a liquor store and would get to drink for free while on the job. My productivity was always higher because my morale was higher. It's just a perk of working in a bar setting, and as long as they're coherent enough to do their job properly, I definitely have no problem with it. I think it's a great thing. You know, in other countries, businessmen drink over lunch, sometimes excessively. It's only really in America where there is still a stigma to alcohol that this is a problem.

Edit: Given some of these responses so far, this must be a regional thing. In Wisconsin it's very much the norm, at least in my small hometown area and in Madison. Every time I go out, bartenders (who are handling money and pouring drinks) have pints, do shots with customers, etc. I don't think it's unprofessional at all, and I'd rather see them having a good time as long as it doesn't keep them from serving me in a friendly and timely manner. I'm not sure what anyone would have against them having fun at work, unless its jealousy since they can't do that at their job. It is difficult to be a bartender and a server (think what you want, but dealing with customers is taxing, constantly challenging, often aggravating, and seldom rewarding), so I say whatever they can to do take the edge off and try to squeeze that little bit of extra enjoyment out of life, go for it.

 

At "beer bars," I only ever see them pouring themselves small samples to taste the beer - and I appreciate it when they do that. If it's "allowed" and they help themselves to more than that... and it doesn't influence their ability to work and be friendly, then I consider it one of the perks of the job. Bartenders at dive bars are constantly offered shots from customers. The "straw sample" above is gross.

 

If you are bothered by it as a customer you really need to lighten up. If I owned the place however, there would be a strict policy against it.

 

It's also illegal in some states.

 

I get more free samples when the bartender is drinking so i'm not against it

 

Nah, it's cool if they remain composed...part of the experience if you really want to know a place.

 

I'm on the fence. Some times it's weird since times it's not. I guess as long as they're not hammered it's OK to me.

 

getting the bartender in trouble for drinking isnt going to make your penis any bigger

 

Drinking at any time is OK by me. As long as you don't have to drive.

 

Personally if it bothers me is going to be on a case by case basis simply because how much they are drinking makes a difference. If it's something straight out of Bar Rescue it's going to bother me ( in other words drunk servers if you aren't familiar with the show). If I catch a composed server enjoying a drink with their meal or what have you it's not really going to bother me. The big thing is going to come down to the inebriation, I don't want drunk employees handling my money or food.

 

The only time it bothers me is if the drinking starts to impair the service.
I've been at bars, where the bartenders are drinking, and it takes way too long to get noticed by them because they're busy drinking and conversing with other patrons. That, in my opinion, is no good.

 

Jealousy is a bitter emotion.

 

I don't see a problem with it.

 

As long as said bartender is performing their duties well then who am I to judge.

 

My favorite movie quote for bartenders and my place at the bar.

"I like that you drink. I like a bartender who drinks, otherwise I feel like I'm being poisoned."

 

I love doing a taster or shot with the bartender. Why not?