Craft Bar/pub etiquette

I do this all the time. If I'm early to meet someone for dinner or something, I'll stop into a bar and have a quick one. Beats standing on the street corner. If you feel awkward, just keep checking your phone so the bartender thinks you're waiting on someone.

 

Guilty of this. More than anything, it's just something to do.

One time I was waiting for the light rail and knew it was going to be 10 minutes before the train came. I didn't feel like standing there bored, so I speed-walked to the nearest bar, got a Breckenridge Avalanche, took that fugger down, paid, and made it back with a minute to spare...more or less to see if I could do it. I did wonder if people in the bar thought it was weird that a guy came in out of breath, slammed one beer, then high-tailed it outta there. Sometimes my life appears kinda sad from the outside looking in.

 

Do what you must, and maybe I drink too much, but I don't recall EVER having just one beer. Once I get the taste of that liquid goodness, I need another. And another. And another...

Bob

 

Do it all the time- then go home and get plastered if I like.

 

I'm doing this as I type!

 

I feel weird if I'm ordering 'big beers' while sitting at the bar. If I'm striking up some conversation while drinking a sipper it can take awhile before I'm looking for a second round. While these beers are typically more expensive then BMCs, oft times more than double, they take more than double the time to drink.

Am I taking up a seat of someone who might be ordering several drinks in the same time frame and thus generating larger bill/tip potential? Does this piss off bartenders or other patrons who might see me as 'milking' my spot at the bar, especially if it's really crowded.

 

The bartender doesn't care long as you leave a tip. Don't over think it and enjoy your beer.

 

No problem with having one pint then leaving, I've done it multiple times. Just make sure to tip appropriately.

 

It's not the least bit weird. You have no obligation to stay there a specific amount of time. The bartender isn't there to judge you and you are not taking up space wrongfully if you nurse just one beer for a half hour . If one i s all you want then have just one. =)

 

Like the Springfield said:

"Paranoia strikes deep, into your life it will creep. Starts when your always afraid, step out of line the man comes to take you away"

 

As someone whose been In the service industry all my life, from dishwasher to gm, my philosophy is every customer, all the time. Whether its 1 customer who has 1 beer or a private party who drinks a whole keg, every cutomer gets treated the same. Not every place Is like this, but at least where I am working, thats the case.

 

You are over-thinking this

 

I wouldn't really worry about it. A craft beer type of place is not really expecting someone to start pounding Russian Imperial Stouts.

 

I do this all the time. I am somewhat puzzled by the concern.

 

I get the anxiety, it's kind of crappy to run a tab for 1 beer, or at least it feels crappy. The solution? Always have a twenty on you. Then when the bartender brings the beer, ask how much, and hand him the twenty. Throw a buck on the bar on your way out, and everyone is happy. Including, most importantly, your wife. I know, paying for stuff with cash is so old fashioned, but then you don't have to feel weird about forcing the bartender to go through all the hassle of a credit card for one beer.

 

I didn't know people would consider this strange or against proper etiquette. I go into bars/pubs all the time and order 1 beer with or without a quick meal. It's almost always during slow hours or the beginning of happy hour though. 30 minutes with 1 beer (any ABV pretty much) is perfect when I'm driving. Plenty of time to strike up a conversation with patrons and the bartender or just relax and stare into space. I've done both, but it just depends how my day is going or if any interesting people are around.

 

So long as your careful driving home and you're keeping up on your tabs I'd say that you're in good standings with the bartender and the law.

 

Seems to me there are a lot worse things you could do to piss off the bartender. I think if you are just friendly and polite (not everyone is, even the guy who is having 4 or 6), they won't give it a second thought.