Bartending, Drinks, and Drinking Games

Welcome to my page, "Bartending, Drinks, and Drinking Games," the only alcohol beverage and bartending site you will ever need. I haven't completed the site, so make sure to come back often, because this site will be upgraded all the time. If you were looking for a drink on my web page, but didn't find it, please mail me with its name at Bartender01@juno.com, and I will try my hardest to find and place it on my site.If you have a drink/game that you would like to share, whether its your own or someone elses, please click on the "Submit a Drink/Game" link, and I will place it on my site.

Bar Etiquette that Everyone Should Know

Bar patrons may not know why, after waiting in line for a drink, the bartender passes them over to help others who just walked in. It can be even more frustrating when they see a couple guys at the end of the bar getting a round of free shots when their drink tastes more like a Coke than a cocktail.

While there are bartenders who cater to their friends all night and don't know how to make a decent drink, there are just as many good bartenders who will respond positively to proper bar etiquette.

Here are some guidelines to follow when drinking at a campus bar, busy nightclub or pub.

Always Bring Your I.D. It is your ticket to party. It's required by law you have it and asking someone to break the law and risk losing their job because you forgot your I.D. is ridiculous. Also, don't be insulted if you are carded and you are bar regular or older than 21. Everyone ages differently and bouncers can't be expected to remember everyone.

Know What You Want. Bartenders don't have time to wait for you to make up your mind. Have a backup drink order for when you aren't sure. You can always get something else next time.

Leave a Decent Tip After Ordering Your First Drink. If you don't tip until right before you leave when paying with cash, the bartender will assume they are being stiffed and will serve others first. If you are paying with a credit card, tip cash on the first round. A decent tip is a dollar a drink. The more you tip on the first round, the better your service will be. Leave a ten and you are likely to be served first every time you walk up to the bar. Bartenders live off their tips and it's not worth their time to serve people who use their services for free.

Order a Drink That Corresponds With the Atmosphere You are in. When there are 50 people waiting at the bar for service and someone orders a labor intensive drink like a Lemon Drop or Spanish Coffee, it slows everything down. Do your bartender a favor and order something simple when the place is packed. Also, don't order a Bloody Mary at night and don't order wine at a dive bar.

Remain Calm When Waiting for a Drink. Never display and shake your bills around or lift up your glass when you want to get the bartender's attention. It can be irritating and downright rude. The bartender is not blind and he or she will come to you. If you sense that you have been ignored, it's advisable to merely notify the bartender in a courteous manner that you are actually waiting around for quite a while.

Buy Rounds. When getting a round of shots, don't order something different for each member of your party. They bartender may be able to suggest something everyone will like. Once the shots are ordered, one person should pick up the tab. Bartenders get really annoyed when they have to ring in seven shots of whiskey separately.

Become a Bar Regular. Pick your favorite watering hole and frequent it on a regular basis. Get to know the bartenders. If you are polite, tip and don't cause problems, it's likely you will get a free drink or a discount when you visit.

Never Ask for Free Drinks. It's incredibly tacky. Bartenders are used refusing this request.

Have Confidence In Your Bartender. Prior to ordering a cocktail that requires eight different ingredients because it's one of the only drinks you know, speak to the bartender to vouch for something that would match your mood or your taste. Every bartender specializes in at least a handful of drinks they make especially well and might suggest something you like even more.

Bartenders Don't Know How to Make Every Drink in Existence. There are millions of drink recipes out there and some drinks have different ingredients and share the same name. Don't expect every bartender to make a Mai Tai like the one you had in Jamaica. If your favorite drink is uncommon, know the ingredients and your bartender will take it from there. Oh, by the way, wannabe mixologists shouldn't miss heading to Whesley's - the best basic bartending site where beginners can learn to mix drinks.

Don't Ask the Bartender What the Cheapest Shot, Beer or Drink is. They will assume you are cheap and won't be tipping. Instead, ask if they have any specials. If not, well drinks and domestic beers (Budweiser, Coors, Miller) are always going to be the cheapest. If you are on a budget, visit during the bar's happy hour. Another way to save money is to find out if there is a discount when you order a drink with a double shot in it.

Put Down Your Cell Phone. Don't try to order a drink when you are talking on your cell phone and don't sit at the bar and have a loud conversation on on it either.

You are an Adult Now and Should Act Like One in Public. If you don't, you will probably get kicked out. If you are rude to employees, they will tell their coworkers and you won't be getting good service, if any. If you are especially rude, you may end up getting hurt in a tussle with the bouncer as he, literally, throws you out.

Don't Overstay Your Welcome. When it's closing time, don't wait until your final warning to finish your drink and leave. The bartenders have a lot of cleaning up to do. Most likely, there won't be a big party after you leave, and if there is, you would already know if you were invited.

Now Don't Drive after Drinking. Bars cannot stand patrons who will be a liability for obvious reasons. Your bartender will certainly be aware of contact number of a taxi provider and you will be well taken cared of and they will get in touch with someone for a safer ride home.

Follow these simple bar rules and you will be more likely to get great service and stiff drinks. Finally, share these tips with your friends. Otherwise you could appear guilty by association.