How do you get a bartender's attention?

[Togs]

1. Dont stand behind any taps or pillars
2. Dont jockey for their attention, this means no snapping fingers, waving notes at them etc.
3. Try and catch their eye as they pass with a quick grin.
4. When youve got your drink fuck off and dont loiter- every time Ive seen fights happen at the bar where I work its because someone just stands at the bar when they've got their drink.

 

[Paulie92]

Money or tits. Just like every other bloody aspect of life...
(and I wish I were kidding...)

Exactly this with the emphasis on tits

 

[trigger1992]

I remember a commercial for beer that showed a lot, and included calling the bar from the bar.

Me, well, i dont drink (not legally able to), but to get anyone's attention I calmly raise my hand, snapping my fingers when i'm above the heads of people so that hte noise isnt affected and look over at the bartender untill they see me with a calm and small smile to know I would like to be served when it is convenient for them, but also without feeling they have all day to do it.

No offence, but I would never serve you if you clicked your fingers at me.

Also everyone i work with agrees that calling or waving money around is annoying and will get you set back in the queue.

Just be calm and you'll get served, most bartenders know roughly how long people have been waiting

 

[awmperry]

I'm 6'4".

I just loom for a while, and get served. What, other people need to do things to get served?

 

[iseko]

I really hate getting ignored at the bar. Any suggestions to get around this?

Sensible and silly suggestions welcome.

Don't know how it is where you are from. But in my country we have signals for all the drinks. For example: You want a beer? Hold up your pinky. Want two beers? Pinky and 2 fingers. Btw this comes from -> A beer in flemish is 'een pintje' or in a little more dialect 'pinke' We call our pinky 'een pink'. So beer ='pinke' pinky ='pink'.

But we also have signals for coke, flat water, sparkling water, wodka, wodka redbull, ... Easiest way to get your drinks fast. Either that or flash alot of cash

 

[pejhmon]

Gunfire, that always makes people look at you .....

OT: Eye contact, a slight ability to make yourself more noticed (the easy way is money/tits but other ways exist) and sticking your hand out helps. Also be quick with your order, that way for the rest of the night they know that you wont be indecisive

 

[MrGalactus]

OOOOOOOIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!!!!

 

[Keava]

I sit at the bar... that's enough. Helps being a female i suppose. Then again, actually the places i frequent have mostly female bartenders, and over time got to know them personally so they look out for me.

 

[rabidmidget]

This thread just reminds me of the "Lord Fry" bit in QI.

OT: Eye contact and possibly a small hand gesture, keep it simple.

 

[Ampersand]

Just rest your arm across the bar, they'll spot your hand and their line of sight follows your arm up to your face, once you've got eye contact they're yours. Muhahaha*cough*ha

 

[Ranorak]

By going to the same bar for the last 5 years.
I got their attention well enough to be invited to the wedding of the owner.

 

[thylasos]

Those of you who are bartenders - can you confirm - is a healthy tip a good way to ensure continuing good service?

Personally, I'd definitely remember your drink, and if it's nice and simple, I'll get to you quicker than the person who I know's ordering three malibu and cokes, a gin and tonic, and a bottle of desperados. But I try to stick to the order of people approaching the bar, as far as possible.

You'll get a bit more conversation when the bar quietens down, if you want it, and a bit more leeway than most at chucking-out time.

 

[ApeShapeDeity]

If you're going to throw stuff at the bartender, be sure to do it while they aren't looking, then blame the guy next to you...

"DUDE! So uncool! Can't you see they're busy? They'll get to you, man."

Also, (I've seen this done) get a stick with a sign on it with an arrow pointing down reading serve this guy, he's thirsty.

You might also consider taking a clipboard with you and secretively scribble away any time they do... well, anything. A paraniod employee is a hard working one

 

[emeraldrafael]

I remember a commercial for beer that showed a lot, and included calling the bar from the bar.

Me, well, i dont drink (not legally able to), but to get anyone's attention I calmly raise my hand, snapping my fingers when i'm above the heads of people so that hte noise isnt affected and look over at the bartender untill they see me with a calm and small smile to know I would like to be served when it is convenient for them, but also without feeling they have all day to do it.

No offence, but I would never serve you if you clicked your fingers at me.

Also everyone i work with agrees that calling or waving money around is annoying and will get you set back in the queue.

Just be calm and you'll get served, most bartenders know roughly how long people have been waiting

Its not snapping my fingers at them, its just snapping my fingers ot make noise. It gets the attention of the bartender cause its a noise, and people close ot you look at you cause you caused the noise. Its not like I sit there and do it five times impatiently.

Besides, i usually click when I raise my hand just out of habit.

 

[gyroscopeboy]

When i visited the US i noticed how retarded the bar service is there...in Australia, people rarely sit at the bar..in NY and Vegas i was trying to squeeze in between people to order a drink! Understandably, i didn't drink that much haha