I worked in a busy city bar — this is how to get served quicker by staff
A former barmaid who worked at a busy city centre bar for two years has shared the essential dos and don'ts to keep in mind if you want to be served quickly
Few experiences on a night out can be as frustrating as trying to catch the attention of busy bar staff. Some patrons might opt for a cash tip or raising their hands, while others believe that quiet politeness will win them favour.
However, a former employee who spent two years working at a bustling city centre pub has shared some key tips for getting served more quickly. So take note, and perhaps your next trip to the bar will be filled with more confidence and less stress.
1. Don't irritate the bar staff
This is the golden rule, reports Wales Online. Do everything in your power to keep them happy. They may only earn minimum wage to serve you drinks, but they still have the discretion to decide who they serve first and who they serve at all.
2. Be polite
This is just basic decency. They might appear a bit stressed and flustered after sweating for hours behind a crowded bar, but please remember they are still human beings. Lack of manners equals no special treatment when you return for another round.
3. Be prepared to pay when your drinks are ready
Don't feign surprise when they ask you to pay for the alcohol you're about to enjoy. Have your card, phone or cash at the ready to avoid wasting time.
4. Don't wave money or cards around to attract attention
Staff are aware of your presence, even if they avoid making eye contact with your impatient face silently urging us to 'Hurry up!' Waving items in the air only makes you appear as though you're bidding farewell to a loved one heading off to war. Please refrain.
5. Decide on your drink BEFORE it's your turn to order
If you've been waiting at a bustling bar and still haven't decided what to order by the time it's your turn, you've missed your chance. They'll swiftly move on to those who know what they want.
6. Return your glass to the bar
This not only assists shorter staff members who may struggle to reach the clean glasses stored overhead, but it also helps maintain a steady supply of clean glasses. The quicker staff get them back, the faster they can wash them and put them back into circulation.
7. Don't forget a drink when ordering a large round
Please don't return to the bar five minutes later demanding an additional drink. However, if you must do so, be courteous. Bar staff are entirely within their rights to ask you to rejoin the queue for such a blunder.
8. Have faith that they have a system
It might seem like they're unsure of who to serve next, but there's usually a system in place that you're unaware of, such as staff agreeing beforehand to serve customers between two specific beer pumps.
9. Establish your own hierarchy
Staff generally have an idea of who's been waiting and who's just pushed in, but it would be helpful if patrons also took some responsibility. They can't always definitively say who was there first, and if you're too busy arguing with the person who may or may not have jumped the queue, they'll move on.
10. Don't get irritated at family members or colleagues of bar staff who receive preferential treatment
You know you'd do the same if the roles were reversed.
11. If you're going to engage in small talk, make it worthwhile
This is a tricky area so tread carefully. Asking for an opinion on who will win the big game might be appreciated, but terrible jokes are not. Please, just stop.
12. Don't even think about complaining about how long you've been waiting
The ones behind the bar have been waiting the longest for a drink. So keep quiet. If anyone has the right to complain about the heat, the noise, or the claustrophobic feeling due to the crowd, it's certainly not you.
13. Tip in drinks
If you want to show your appreciation to your friendly bartender for their excellent service under pressure, tip them in drinks. This way, they don't have to split it evenly at the end of the shift.
