Because we expend most of our social energy at work, bartenders often need quiet time on our days off. This can be hard when you're dating a new person. They often expect you to be the fun-loving, energetic bartender personality that they first met, and it can be disappointing when your off-duty vibe is much different.
In short, no, bartenders DO NOT flirt with everyone. Whilst every bartender has a different style and approach to serving customers, they're generally not flirtatious with everyone. Oftentimes, people confuse being friendly and attentive with flirting and therefore get the wrong impression when dealing with bartenders.
“The human interaction is what makes bartenders feel like they're people too. You might run into a gruff bartender who doesn't want to chat, but most are pretty outgoing people. They wouldn't be in this industry if they didn't like talking to strangers.”
A bad bartender does not know how to mix drinks and often has to step away to look up drink recipes. A bad bartender plays favorites and often neglects guests. A bad bartender takes their time to refill drinks. A bad bartender lets their bar accumulate clutter, including empty glasses, napkins, and other trash.
Bartenders tend to be predominantly enterprising individuals, which means that they are usually quite natural leaders who thrive at influencing and persuading others. They also tend to be conventional, meaning that they are usually detail-oriented and organized, and like working in a structured environment.
Being social, outgoing, and friendly will help a bartender succeed, sell more drinks, and keep customers happy. Keep in mind that being friendly and outgoing are very important; the underlying job of a bartender is to sell drinks.
Grab his attention by asking fun, short questions that can be answered quickly. Questions about the music, about pop culture and about common places (a neighborhood or city) are safe bets. "Do not say, 'I come here all the time and I've never seen you,'" Maier warns. "I promise I do work here often.
Among the many faux pas, don't ever yell, click your fingers — or even wave them. Bartenders hate that.
They're awesome in bed
We hardly think we even need to elaborate here as this is pretty much a given. For one, they're confident. Bartenders are used to getting hit on — a lot, in fact — and the best ones easily take control of situations. And when the "situation" is sex... well, it's pretty hot.
They're busy.
Nine times out of 10, if a bartender is ignoring you, it's because they're doing something else. Even if the bar doesn't seem that busy, bartenders are responsible for a long list of prep work and side work.
Yes, bartenders do get laid, it's a real perk of the job for those that are single. Working in a thriving bar is the perfect environment to get laid, and those with even a little bit of charm will add some notches to their belt.
Anyone showing signs of intoxication should not be allowed to drive, be prepared to arrange other transportation. Anyone who seems drunk to you should be cut off – you are the bartender and it is your decision to make.
You have to not only be courteous to customers; you also have to offer them some courtesy from time to time. Especially to those who are regulars at the bar. This is an important part of the golden rule. When we talk about courtesy, we refer to a drink or liquor.
If the bar is not busy, requesting that the bartender surprise you with a cocktail can often add a bit of creativity to an otherwise slow shift. But if the bar is jammed, people are clamoring for drinks, and the menu does not ask you to call out a “dealer's choice,” do not do this.
The point of the entire conversation is to exchange contact information. That's it. Bartenders rarely give out their phone numbers to customers but the approach I've laid out for you is what I've used personally to hang out with female bartenders outside of their work setting.
Ultimately, cutting someone off is at the bartender's discretion. In general, though, protocol says that if you spot someone who's over their limit, you should stop serving that person alcohol, hand over a glass of water, close the tab and call a cab.
Don't: Ask for her number by saying something like, “You're really hot, can I have your number?” That's idiotic, patronizing and objectifying. If you seriously can't do better than that, just go home and drink by yourself.
When you sit at the bar chatting with a friend, the bartender can generally hear your whole conversation. Most of the time, we aren't really listening — we've got our own problems that need mulling — but, yep, we can hear you. So, if you really like eavesdropping, bartending is a good career for you.