Ask a Bartender: Can I Buy You a Shot?

Ask a Bartender: Can I Buy You a Shot?

The generosity of loyal regulars and generous, intoxicated patrons is quite impressive. It really makes you think, “Yeah, there are still good people in this world!’ Of course, there are still those other people in the world that you would rather pay their whole bar tab than give them any reason to stay any longer and talk to you. Back to the good ones. There are the others who just want you to share their pleasure. Whether they’re just finishing up happy hour and no one else wants to drink with them any more, or they are trying their best to flirt with you, or they simply have enjoyed talking with you, they may ask the tempting question, “can I buy you a shot?”

It’s not always that I don’t want to, it’s just that, I really, really like my job. On most nights, I even love my job. I like talking to customers and people watching. I like the people I work with, and I really like counting my tips at night. In order to keep my job, I can’t take a shot with you, even if you’re buying, because I will most certainly lose my job. Most, if not all, bar managers and owners will tell you very clearly on the first day: there is absolutely no drinking on the job. When a bartender takes their T.I.P.S. certification course, they are told this. There are obvious legal responsibilities involved, and no one wants a night at the bar to turn into months in court.  No, I cannot just sneak one in. There are cameras everywhere, not to mention, it’s just not worth the 1.5-2 ounces of well tequila to risk anything. 

Aside from the legal implications, many owners and managers set this as a standard for the customer-server boundary. Everyone sees the value of building a regular following of customers. Not just from the profitability perspective, but also just from a downright human aspect. What is more important is that bar staff has the respect of their customers. Not everyone offering to buy the bartender a shot is doing it out of their kindness of their hearts—shocking, I know. The “You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours” is no stranger to the bar top. The notion that the customer buys the first shot and then after that the bartender “takes care of them” has not gone away. Businessmen in this industry know that and that’s just another reason they set rules against drinking with customers, on or off shit in most establishments. 

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We appreciate the offer, really. And know we aren’t shooting you down to be rude, but we’d much rather see you spend that money on another round, or, just a thought, in the tip jar. 

Pam Martin bartends at Compass Tavern at 90 Harding Street in Worcester every Friday night and Sunday afternoon.