Tips from the Other Side of the Stick
Compiled by the Barjock and his cronies
Yes, normally, you give tips to the bartender. In this column, it is the other way around. We will have tips to get you better service from the the people who will give you better service. Or not, as the case may be.
What is a Tip?
The gospel according to Donna of Rudy's. "TIPS is of Irish origins and stands for To Insure Prompt Service." Another drink-thing to thank the Emerald Islanders for. Donna, a.k.a. Loretta the shy and inhibited Karoke Queen, also wonders if the term tipsy came about because of those who were too successful at getting the aforesaid prompt service.
How Much Should You Tip?
We don't know. It seems to depend on a lot of factors. We know most bartenders leave generous tips for other bartenders, so the easy answer is leave enough. But how much is enough? Please tell us what you think.
Dr. Bill, the man at the Holland Bar and the Twins Pub tells a Sinatra tipping story. Frank asked his bartender at Toots Shors, "what was the biggest tip he'd ever got?" The bartender told the man who was never known as "Old Blue Eyes" that the biggest tip he'd ever got was 50 bucks. Sinatra downed his cocktail and dropped a C-note on the bar. As he was leaving, he turned and asked, "Who gave you the fifty?" The bartender smiled at Frank and the hundred dollar bill on the bar, "You did Mr. Sinatra... yesterday." There may or may not be a moral to this story. Ask Dr. Bill next time you are on 9th avenue in the thirties and looking for medical attention.
How To Get Served In A Busy Bar
According the Legendary Danny the Bartender, formerly of Rudy's and now somewhere in Florida writing his book, this is a multipart answer for getting served in a madhouse during primetime.
"First, get to know you bartender. This is usually fairly easy, because most bartenders want to know their new customers so they can make them regular customers." We suggest that if your bartender doesn't want to get to know you, try another bar.
"Secondly, order the same drink each time you go in. If the bartender sees you down the bar, and knows what you are drinking, a smart bartender can kill two birds with one stone, drawing you a Mickey's Malt at the same time he's drawing somebody else a Billy Beer. The bartender is happy because it is more efficient, and you get served a lot faster."
Another Trick from Danny
The man with the handlebar mustache says, "When the bar is really crowded and people are lined up three deep, it is not the time to practice your jumping jacks. Try holding up a bill or bills that will cover the price of a drink and the tip. The bartender knows you have change and by serving you first speeds up service for everybody."
It's Your Shout
Please contribute any words of wisdom you've heard from your favorite bartenders.
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