For my bartenders out there, every shift is unique in and of itself. I love bartending and I think it's the best job, especially considering all the amazing regular customers I get the pleasure to talk to. There are, however, several struggles I run into on a regular shift. I've had a long weekend of work and decided this article is warranted.
Here are only 10 struggles every bartender has encountered during a shift.
1. The poor tippers
You know them, the customers who demand the most but give you the least in return for your impeccable service. Even with a smile on their face the entire time, it's still never enough to receive anything over a 15% tip, if we are lucky.
2. Blowing the keg
It'll be the busiest of hours at the bar, pouring a beer and boom - keg blows and explodes all over me. Let me go change that, be back in 5 minutes.
3. Cleaning the bar sink
At the end of a long work shift, assorted fruits and straws are stuck in the drain. Guess who gets the pleasure of cleaning it? The bartenders!
4. Random fights in the middle of a rush
One guy is too drunk, says something rude to another drunk guy and the rest is history. The bartenders have to scrape them out of the bar and return to work.
5. Expecting us to have eight limbs
I will carry out all the food I'm humanly able to and there's always a customer asking where the rest of the order is. I just got here with the as much of the order I could carry, be right back with the rest!
6. The drinker's check confusion
I enjoy going out to the bars just as any other college student. Sometimes people drink too much and get angry when they believe they drank less than their rather large bill suggests. As the sober bartender, I assure you the bill is a correct statement of the beverages you've consumers.
7. Questioning pours on a tall mixed beverage
Typically, a tall mixed beverage adds more of the soda/juiced used. A tall drink isn't a double shot of the liquor in the beverage unless specified.
8. Accidentally leaving self-created tab names
Sometimes it's easier to label a tab "bald man" until you forget to change it when he asks for the bill. Always super awkward.
9. Running out of glasses
It makes me so incredibly sad.
10. Breaking a glass in the ice drain
Nothing is worse than this! For the safety of us all, draining the sinks of all ice and thoroughly clean it takes time. This also holds us up while working. I have a tendency to drop glasses so I try extra hard to be conscious and careful.
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