The big day is nearly upon us. Yup, it's Christmas weekend, which means plenty of fun and merriment to be had as people finish work for the festive break and head out to meet their friends and families.
However, spare a thought for the poor bar staff who have to work during this period and deal with rowdy crowds and merry revellers – especially on Black (or Mad) Friday, the last Friday before Christmas, which is usually one of the on-trade busiest nights of the year.
To help them have an easier shift and to make your night as drinkers go that little bit smoother, we asked a top bartender to tell us the golden rules they think every customer should know.
Thanks to Jane Ross, who owns the hugely popular bar on Leith Walk, Mother Superior, who helped create this handy list to ensure everyone has a fun Black Friday.
1. Last Orders
Jane said: "When a bartender calls last orders, please don't be that person that asks us to break the law, by just having a 'sneaky shot'. It's the law.
"Also when the 15mins are up, it's time to go. The staff want to go home (or to a later opening bar), they have lives too."
2. Getting cut off by the bar staff
Jane said: "If you're having a great night and the bartender cuts you off. We only have your best interest at heart and want you to get home safe so don't ruin our night and yours.
"If the decision is made... it's made. Also, their colleagues will always back them up as they are doing what's best for the drinker, so I wouldn't ask for a second opinion.
"Which leads to... 'I know the owner'. Weirdly, so do they! I don't know about most pubs, but as an owner, I will always back my team and their decisions. If any of my mates pulled that, they would be buying my staff a pint for their stupidity."
3. Guinness ordering
Jane said: "You knew it was coming. Order your pints of Guinness first – it needs to settle. Staff can serve quicker and everyone will have more efficient service."
4. Unsolicited wind passing
Jane said: "When you're five deep at the bar and someone lets rip, there is no escape. Please, if you need to go, go outside or to the bathroom. Don't empty the pub because you think we don't know it's you. We know it's you."
5. Don't try and keep up with the heavy drinkers.
Jane said: "If your last drink was a month ago. Don't try and keep up with Liz from sales who drinks regularly and goes clubbing on the weekend. You will not have a good night. We don't want you crying in the toilets at 9pm."
6. Preferential Treatment
Jane said: "If an old bloke sat at the bar gets served before you do, and the bartender knows him by name and even seems to know what he’s drinking before he orders it, please just let it slide.
"That’s Kenny. Kenny drinks here all the time and if we don't see him we worry. Kenny and the other regulars keep the pub open eleven months of the year. Yes, they get preferential treatment. There is no point whining about it."
7. Playing music on your phone
Jane said: " Okay you don't like the music. It has been selected to offend the least amount of people, unfortunately not you. It’s background music. If you want something specific then you might want a club night or themed bar, maybe your house.
"If, however, you’ve decided to 'do the pub a favour' by blaring out a playlist from your phone, please don't, no one wants to hear it and you will politely be told to turn it off or if you refuse, to leave."
8. Trying to attract attention vs being patient at the bar
Jane said: "The Bartender is 100% in charge of who is next. They can see you. If you tap your card constantly on the bar, wave your money around or do any tactic that's normally used to attract a dog there will be only one outcome... no matter how long you have been waiting, you've just sent yourself to the back of the queue."
9. Be toilet trained
Jane said: "A lot of things happen in pub toilets we understand. No one is judging. But please clear up after yourself, eh? And if you can't, let the bar staff know. We don't like surprises."
10. Know what you're ordering before you come to the bar
Jane said: " Don't come to the bar if you don't know your round. You're slowing service and the death glares from other customers are killing us both. You'll have quicker service by a happy bartender if you know what you're ordering in advance."
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