Drinking bartenders

As a patron I would like to get free drinks. If I owned the same place, I probably wouldn't want bartenders giving out free drinks. Make sense now?

 

It's the difference between being the one who signs their damn paycheck or not. This seems about as straightforward as anything could possibly be.

 

Haha - they're not dipping their straw in and having a good ol slurp. I've seen this lots, especially at cocktail-centric places. They take a clean straw, dip it into the drink, put their finger over the open end to hold the liquid in, pull it out, taste it, and then throw the straw away. Kind of like s chef tasting their food to make sure they have it right.

As for the OP - as long as they're not drunk I've got no problem. It's a bar ffs. Thinking it's wrong isn't old school. More 'new school'...

 

This.

It's a darwinian process. If it's a problem, he'll get no tips and, one way or another, he'll be gone next week.

 

I hope the bartender atleast pays for whatever they drink at the end of the night. That could be lost profit for the bar/restaurant/taproom.

 

I have no issue at all with a bartender having a few while on the job. Like most have said as long as they keep it cool and do their job I enjoy sharing a beer with the tender. Example, buddy works at a brewery. He has a small sample size glass that he drinks out of. Always stays in control but gets to enjoy a few brews with us regulars. Now, if a tender is smashed and not doiing their job thats another story but every time I've witnessed that they were un emplyed shortly after.

 

I once bartended at a place in Ada, MI where the manager actually told me that I was limited to two beers a night (for free - I'd have to buy more than that), and I had to wait until the last hour of my shift before I could have them. Needless to say, it wasn't the classiest place in Ada (which is saying a lot because, well, Ada) and was known for such shenanigans as letting a regular bring his horse in.

 

This is common practice in the industry. Learn to deal with it.

 

Disagree. Everytime I've been at a bar where the bartenders are steadily drinking, it has been to the detriment of the customers. Especially the non-regular customers. I remember once, I had a problem just getting the bartender to get me the bill..I ended up walking out without paying.

Not opposed to a sample here and there..that's totally different. You're not getting buzzed/drunk.

 

I've never had an issue with the bartender having a drink - but I've also never seen it go too far. I would imagine its tough to work when you've had too much to drink, so anyone who does it for a living probably knows their own limits (and management's policies, local laws, etc.).

 

I like when the bartenders drink. They're more fun, no one likes to drink alone, and you're more likely to get a free beer or more samples. As long as they aren't getting drunk and can still do their job, what's the issue?

 

As mentioned before in some states it's illegal, it could also be a legal liability issue if an employee theres a work place injury. They are changing out kegs, carrying glass , serving customers hot food, there's more than just popping a cap on a beer or pouring one off tap. They're handling money. If I'm a bar owner your welcome to have a beer on the house after your shift, but not before or after.

 

I'm only 22 but sorry that's slack.

 

Aigan its very much a cultural thing, and from a european,specifically german perspective, this sounds weird.
Depends pretty much on the location and region.
In most smaller Kneipen it would seem weird if the Wirt did not have a beer or two as well.
But also in bigger brewpubs,see cologne or Düsseldorf, drinking waiters are the norm.
My favorite drinking stories come from Zoiglstuben, where we were the last costumers together with the Zoiglwirt- who clearly had a few over the evening

 

No. If the service is lousy I mind that. I do quite a bit while "drinking" . It's a hard and demanding job and little bit of something doesn't hurt.

 

Whew! That's a relief. Couldn't you post this sooner? I had some terrible Cocktail nightmares last night. Tom Cruise was serving and straw-sampling.

 

I think it is ok for sampling with customers.

 

When I used to work construction in NYC, I'd head to my favorite pub in the East Village for lunch most days and have a burger and a beer. The bartender always had one with me. The place was usually slow at that time of day and it was particularly nice when the Yankees were playing a day game. I miss those times.

 

Making sure product is "right" yes.

Otherwise, no.

 

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