Etiquette at the Bar
For once, this week I am not concerned with the judicial bar before which so many of my good lawyer friends practice. Rather, with St. Patrick’s Day rapidly approaching, it seems appropriate to discuss the rules of etiquette that apply to any intern or new hire who is thinking about lifting a pint of Guinness or stout in celebration of the Emerald Isle. Before you head out to your local watering hole this March 17th, make sure you know the rules.
If you have invited a group of friends to meet you at a bar, you are now the host or hostess for the get together. As such, you have certain responsibilities. Prior to the big event, you should confirm whether or not the bar accepts credit cards. If you’ve selected a cash only establishment, you’ll want to communicate that fact to your guests long before they arrive. This allows them to visit a local ATM if necessary. The host or hostess should arrive at the bar early and secure a table for his or her guests. He or she should also plan on purchasing the first round of drinks.
If it appears that multiple rounds of drinks will be purchased, the responsibility of paying for beverages may be shared by others. Everyone participating in a round should order the same beverage. If one person orders a shot of Jameson, everyone orders Jameson, with one exception: Women, who often are unable to metabolize alcohol at the same rate as their male companions, may order a beverage with a lower alcohol content, for example, a glass of wine.
By the way, if you can afford the bar’s most expensive and exotic offerings, God bless you. However, please don’t place your less fortunate friends and acquaintances in a position where they feel they must order or consume something they simply cannot afford.
Finally, keep in mind that your bartender likely makes his or her living off customers’ tips. For good service, add a gratuity of between 15% and 20% to the tab. And if you want really great service this St. Patrick’s Day, as soon as you arrive, give your bartender some cash up front. He or she won’t forget the effort you’ve made to make sure they’re rewarded on a typically very busy drinking day.
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