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Please, Don’t Be “That Guy” or “That Girl” at a Bar! September 15th, 2011 Posted by April Smith
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Ever been to a bar? Of course you have; you’re reading a blog post from Carolina Nightlife
And if I had to guess, you probably see yourself as being privy to Charlotte nightlife. Chances are you might even think you’re a pro at mingling through the bar scene, knowing where to go, how to get a drink and the best way to impress the ladies (or gentlemen). But as a veteran bartender, I can assure you that most of you do NOT know what you’re doing while partying your little ass off. Those of us who work in the nightlife industry can spot the bad apples a mile away and they’re not exactly a dime a dozen! So here I’ve put together a brief list of Do’s and Don’ts for those who want to make the most out of their young, bar-hopping days instead of being known as “That Guy”.

DO: Dress appropriately for a night out.

DON’T: Show up in flip-flops and a baseball hat only to cause a scene when the door guys refuse to let you in because you clearly didn’t bother to research the dress code.

-I hear so many men complain of not being allowed in clubs because the guys at the door were being knit picky on the dress code. My advice: Cover your bases and don’t give them a reason to turn you away. That means no shoes that will scuff (classic excuse), no ripped or baggy jeans and NO hats. Club security usually sees themselves as Gods. Don’t boost their ego anymore, please.

-Women: you can wear whatever the hell you want. That’s because we are awesome.

DO: Wait patiently for your turn to order drinks from the bartender, even if the bar is slammed!

DON’T: Wave your hands or beer frantically, whistle, yell the bartender’s name or throw anything at the bartender just to get a freaking drink.

-Nothing proves you are an amateur at partaking in fun at bars like disrespecting the only people who can actually get you drunk! It amazes me how many people think this will get you a drink FASTER. Ask any bartender you meet and they will tell you that this is only grounds to walk right by you (the douchebag waver) and serve the patient patron beside you instead. That’ll teach ya! (Also, don’t put your cash or debit card in front of a bartender’s face signaling you need a drink. They know you need a drink and have payment. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be standing there, right?)

DO: Have fun but know your limit!

DON’T: Drink until you are drooling on yourself, grabbing people you don’t know, and falling over.

-There is nothing attractive about someone (male or female) who gets sloppy while out. Hold it together, people! Charlotte is a smaller city than you think and you don’t want people saying the next time they see you out “Hey, there’s that girl that got on the bar at Pro and made out with her roommate... Yeaah!” Or maybe you do... whatever.

DO: Get to know as many people that work at your favorite bars as possible.

DON’T: Act like you own the place and claim that you pay the electricity bill each month because you frequent there like twice a month.

-Firstly, don’t ever say that. Ever. It’s highly obnoxious and not true. You can’t afford the electricity bills at these places.

-Secondly, the more people who you know in the industry, the easier and more enjoyable your experiences become! If you introduce yourself and get to know the bartenders, door security and managers, you will be less apt to have to pay a cover charge, wait in line or even pay for drinks. As the saying goes “It’s all in who you know.”

DO: Know what you want BEFORE you order it!

DON’T: Look at a bartender and say “Uhhhh...” then turn to your friends and say “What do y’all want?”

-By the time you turn back around, that bartender will be gone and on to the next one they go. If a bar is this busy, and you want a drink, be prepared! (Also, don’t order 3 shots, then add one, then another... all after the3 have been made. That’s SUPER annoying, newbie.)

DO: Tip. A LOT.

DON’T: Be a cheap ass and expect to be treated more than just that.

-If I were to give just one piece of advice, it obviously would be this. Hopefully every bar-goer knows this by now but most people in the service industry do not receive paychecks. Their income is solely dependent upon tips because their hourly wage is about $2.34 and that is taken out in taxes to amount to a paycheck that looks like this: “THIS IS NOT A CHECK.” Awesome, I know. So, just like others in business, we clearly tend to gravitate to the big sellers, those who tip heavy and who help to pay our bills.

-Try this trick: The first time you go into a bar you like, tip the bartender about 40% and make sure he or she knows your name before you leave. I guarantee you that the next time you return, that bartender will remember you AND the fact that you are a big spender. I assure you that you will get great service from that point on and may get hooked up from time to time as well. After you’re in, you should still tip well, but you won’t have to make it rain. In no time, bartenders will be yelling your name as soon as you walk in the door and have your favorite beer on the bar before you even sit down. Works like a charm.

You would think that most of these tips are common sense but unfortunately, there seems to be a shortage of that these days amongst bar patrons so please feel free to drop some bar etiquette knowledge on your friends. Don’t be “That Guy”. Your fellow bartenders will thank you.
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April Smith
Staff Writer, CarolinaNightlife.com1 Posts
April Smith has worked in Charlotte nightlife for over 4 years and is a self proclaimed Social Media nerd. When she's not blogging, tweeting or running, she's most likely slinging drinks or out on the town.