Bar Etiquette 101

By Ashleigh Hobson.

Bars, pubs, boozers, dives, speakeasys, hotels and clubs. Call them what you will, they’re everywhere. Almost everywhere you go will have drinking holes. The Gold Coast is no different. It’s built around a hospitality culture that thrives off food and beverage. And just like everything in life there is etiquette for the bar. We spoke to a few bar tenders around town to find out the top five things to keep in mind to make sure we’re not breaking any unofficial bar rules… This is important, because the happier we keep the bar tenders, the quicker we get our drinks!

The clicking of the fingers/waving of arms

Apparently this is annoying… as if we didn’t know. Of course this is annoying. They get it, you’re at a busy bar on a Saturday night and you have been waiting for what feels like hours in the same spot only to feel like the bartender hasn’t acknowledged you once. Understand that our time is no more important than the person standing next to us, so wait in turn and unless we have done something to previously annoy your bartender, remember we’re not being ignored deliberately. Click at dogs, not at humans!

The time wasters

This goes hand in hand with the last point – it’s a busy night and the bartenders are doing their best to get to everyone in a quick and timely matter, so we must understand the annoyance when finally at the front of the line and you leave the bartender with nothing but a blank stare. Take your time deciding what you want to drink… before you get to the front of the line!

Talking down to your waiter/bar tender

Be nice to your bartender and they will be nice to you, simple right? This is a great life rule, not just a bar rule. I heard Ricky Gervais once say (something like) the meaning of life is to be nice, not harm anyone and have a laugh. Simple.

People who remain on their phone whilst trying to talk to you

Seems obvious. It’s a basic rule and again, is a pretty good rule for life in general. Put your phone down when trying to place an order. Sure, this call is important! Unless is a dying relative or new baby call – the person on the other end can wait 30 seconds while you order a (very important) round of drinks.

Asking for free stuff

It’s not acceptable to walk into the Apple store and ask for a free iphone because it’s your birthday and same goes with drinks. If the bar tender feels like risking their job and breaking RSA code for you, then they’ll do it on their own accord.