Episode #2: Stop Bullying at the Bar Podcast: http://bit.ly/2a8sT8m #BOTYLife #BOTYLife
Tuesday, July 26, 2016
Stop Bullying at the Bar (Podcast)
Episode #2: Stop Bullying at the Bar Podcast: http://bit.ly/2a8sT8m #BOTYLife #BOTYLife
Stop Bullying at The Bar
We’ve all encountered them; overzealous bouncers and security at bars and clubs. They range from not very friendly (which we can deal with) to blatantly disregarding your rights and your property. Of course, the vast majority of security are professional, gracious, and, quite frankly, deserving of sainthood for all they put up with. However, there are those who cross the line of not just politeness, but the law. Read on for what you may encounter, and how to respond.
What Are Bouncers and Security Actually Allowed to Do?
First of all, you need to know what bouncers are allowed to do by law, and it’s probably less than you think. Legally their job does not have any special provisions about physical force. They are allowed to ID you and refuse you entry if you’re too drunk or aren’t complying with the establishment’s policies in some way. They can also ask you to leave for the same reasons. But, as far as fights go, bouncers can break them up and respond to aggressive behavior with equal force only. So, if you instigate a fight, they can respond in kind.
What They Can’t Do
Ok so that all makes sense right? Now let’s cover the things that bouncers cannot do. Most importantly, they can’t use unwarranted physical force against you. This includes physically throwing you out of the bar, striking you, or using a weapon of any kind. They also can’t confiscate your ID. Now, whether you want to argue this with a bouncer is entirely up to you, but legally they can’t take it. What will most likely happen is they will turn it over to the cops, who can confiscate it. They also cannot take any of your property without your consent. If you are carrying an item that isn’t allowed in the bar however, they can refuse you entry.
Searches
This is a slightly confusing topic, legally speaking. Bouncers can search you to a reasonable extent, but only if you consent to it. So, if you are comfortable with a pat-down style search then they can perform one. This doesn’t mean that they can perform a strip search or any other invasive procedure and it is absolutely your right to refuse any kind of search. However, they can then deny you entry into the establishment if you do not consent to a search.
What to Do If You Encounter a Problem
If you come across a bouncer who is simply rude, there may not be much you can do. Conduct yourself in a courteous and polite manner so you don’t give them any reason to cite provocation. You can then inquire within the establishment about the company they work for in order to file a complaint. If they are hired privately by the bar, it’s best to take it up with management.
If you are hit by or otherwise physically assaulted by a bouncer, there are several steps you should take.
- First, make a note of the time and place.
- Then, write a detailed account of the incident.
- Finally, head to your local police station and file a formal complaint.
While we hope you never have a bad interaction with security, we are neither lawyers nor cops. If you think a bouncer has crossed the line, contact your local PD.
Monday, July 25, 2016
6 Staples for the Stay-at-Home Bartender
Not everyone wants to work as a bartender, but that doesn’t stop us from becoming occasional bartenders at home.
Sometimes, though, something feels a little bit off when you try to play the part. Like something’s missing. The problem, I’ve realized, isn’t the dearth of customers—you’re guaranteed at least one a night anyway (ba dum tss!).
Rather, it’s the lack of supplies.
Sure, you might know how to mix some soda with vodka, but do you know how to make a killer cocktail for your friends? I’m talking about making a drink taste and look like it actually belongs in a bar—you know, instead of on some crumb-infested kitchen countertop.
Aside from the alcohol itself and whatever syrups and mixers you like, here are six bar staples that’ll transform your home bar from just-out-of-college to pretty-damn-authentic:
- Glassware
You can’t expect to enjoy a drink if it doesn’t look at least a little bit classy. Spend a few bucks on some expensive-looking glassware (looking being the key ingredient), and you’ll learn how effective presentation can be. Staples include martini, highball, lowball, coupe and red wine glasses, most of which can be bought together in bartender-targeted glassware sets. Be sure to also invest in a mixing glass.
- Shaker
Like cocktails? Then get shaking. A cocktail shaker is a fairly iconic piece of equipment for the average bartender, and you’ll need one if you’re planning on making your share of fancy-looking mixed drinks. Easy-to-make shaker drinks include black cherry martinis, blinkers and Celtic margaritas, but don’t shy away from conducting your own alcoholic experiments.
- Bar Spoons
Maybe you’re used to using that one weirdly-oblong-shaped spoon to stir your drinks. But if you want to look like a real professional, chuck that little guy in the dishwasher and go buy yourself a couple of bar spoons. They’re the perfect length for your glassware (read: no accidentally dipping your fingers in the drink when trying to mix that bottom layer). Plus, they make something as simple as stirring look extra sophisticated.
- Strainer
I’m not talking about those big old strainers you use for pasta. A cocktail strainer is a small sieve used to keep ice out of your drink as you pour it from a shaker into a serving glass. There are two types of strainers: the Julep strainer, which looks like a tiny version of a pasta strainer attached to a long handle, and a Hawthorne strainer, which contains a metal spring to filter ice. You don’t need both, but they’re usually pretty cheap.
- Blender
Though not a necessity, a blender will come in handy if you enjoy whipping up frozen daiquiris and other chilly drinks. Any regular blender will do; just make sure it can break down ice without breaking itself first. (In case you’re curious, the trick is to use already-crushed ice, not cubed.)
- Ice
With all of that being said, the last thing on this list you’ll (obviously!) need is ice. But just having a refrigerator isn’t always enough. For both stylistic and practical reasons, you should be aware of the size and shape of the ice cubes you’re using for particular drinks. Silicone ice cube trays are a good alternative to fridges’ awkward moon-shaped cubes.
Don’t be afraid to make a couple of purchases and get your home bar going. After all, even if you’re your only customer, why shouldn’t you deserve the best after a (presumably) hard day of work? Now that’s something we can all drink to, I bet.
Original Article: https://botyapp.com/blog_stay-at-home-bartender/
Wednesday, July 20, 2016
Monday, July 18, 2016
The Different Bartender Personalities
If you’ve been in the service industry for a while, or are a seasoned bar-goer, you know there’s lots of different kinds of bartenders out there; some good, some… slightly less good. Whether you head to the local watering hole for a nightly bottle of wine (don’t judge), or just have a few social beers after work, you’re sure to have encountered some of these types. Read on for some common personalities you’ll find lurking behind the stick.
Of course, this is all in good fun so no mean comments.
The Inattentive Bartender
Can I call ahead and give you my order? Because waiting 10 minutes for a draft beer makes us feel STRESSED. You are so nice when you finally notice us doing cartwheels and/or loudly weeping in the hopes of capturing your attention, but damn your ass is slow!
Signs to look out for:
- Brow permanently furrowed in partial confusion
- Constantly laughing at his phone
- 19-year-old girl
The Angry Bartender
Ah the grumpy bartender. We can’t get mad at you because… alcohol. What can we do to make you happy, cause good tips and politeness don’t seem to do it? Your service is surly and your drinks weak, but we just can’t quit you, because, again… alcohol.
Signs to look out for:
- A thousand-yard stare
- Reminds you of your unhappy childhood
- Plays obscure electronica no one else wants to hear
The Flirty Bartender
You’re hot, but you’re not that hot, you know? But, we’re weak and insecure so we’ll take all the attention we can get. Wait, you just got us a free drink. Maybe you’re hotter than we thought.
Signs to look out for:
- Muscles
- Sparkly eyeshadow
- Tribal tats
The Super Serious Bartender
You make every drink with the intensity of a surgeon saving a life. You ALWAYS measure and never have time to talk, which is actually fine cause you scare us a little. You might not have the gift of gab but that’s ok; we’re here to smother our emotions not chit chat.
Signs to look out for:
- Weirdly shaped bottle openers
- Visibly upset when a glass breaks
- Sweaty
The Genuinely Really Good Bartender
We’ve seen you hold 6 bottles of Corona in one hand, open them with the other and take three orders all while dancing along (in a funny, not cringey way) to the music. You flirt the exact right amount, chat the exact right amount, and make us feel oh-so-special. We know it’s all for show and we’re not really your best friend, but JUST LET US HAVE OUR DREAMS OK?
Signs to look out for:
- You’re broke leaving the bar
The Tipsy Bartender
You’re always giving us shots as an excuse to take one yourself and we see you sneakily pouring that crappy house whiskey into your coffee. By midnight you have to hold on to the tap handles so you don’t fall over. Your coworkers may hate you, but we LOVE you for your um… generous spirit.
Signs to look out for:
- Glazed eyes
- Inappropriate laughter
- Napping
- We took the same amount of shots, but surprisingly I’m drunker than you. hmmmm…
Original Article: https://botyapp.com/blog_different-bartender-personalities/
Monday, July 11, 2016
Hard to Leave Bartending But Why?
Bartending is often referred to as a means to an end. You hear it all the time when people say they’re only bartending until they get back on their feet. “I didn’t go to college and get a degree in Biology to be no bartender,” says the 10 year bartender veteran. “We didn’t take out all those loans to pay for college,” says the parents of the 10 year bartender vet. Let’s be honest it’s one of those jobs you get stuck in but why?
In my many experiences at the bar, I have met bartenders with no formal education, to bartenders who own their own businesses, have advanced degrees, and even met ones that have other jobs that pay them significantly more. Yet they can’t seem to escape that short-term bartending job.
The barriers to entry are not hard so it’s easy to start bartending to make some extra money. And you can do so with the comfort of knowing you are not committing for the long-term. Or so you think? A lot of bartending jobs come with no benefits, no career development plan and the prospects for future growth are minimal. Yet it is still a distinctly rewarding job for so many and people are drawn to the career in droves.
The People
When you bartend you will encounter the most interesting people. You can be standing in front a homeless person to the CEO of a fortune 500 company. You interact with folks who are celebrating the highest of highs to those who are trying to get through tough situations. And regardless of his or her status in life, they end up in your presence. At times, being a bartender is the equivalent of being a performer on stage. The more you put on a show, the more people enjoy and tip you. One night you are a comedian telling jokes, and on other days you may be asked to be a therapist. You get to hear all the juicy gossip and learn intimate details about people’s home life. People who drink tend to be more honest, funnier and just looking to get some things off their chest that they may have been holding onto for some time. That can be pretty addictive and hard to give up.
The Money
Every day is payday. You can make great money bartending although it is highly likely you won’t be getting any benefits so you have to save your money wisely. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average yearly bartender salary is only around $21k. That doesn’t sound like much, but so much of your money can go undetected by the government. So going home with $400-500 a night cash can be pretty appealing and keep you around for a while.
The income may not be steady, but it can be significant at times and depending on where you work. Say you get you a regular that ends up tipping big every time. And then are nights you may get that one customer who is really excited about life because they either hit big gambling, won the lottery or got a huge promotion. They got money to burn and end up giving you a $100 tip on a $20 bill just because. This can make for a pretty awesome night.
The Fun
Being a bartender is like being a chaperone for an adult slumber party. You oversee people at their most vulnerable moments in life. And we all know drinkers are much more fun than when they are sober. The goal of a bartender is to make sure everyone else is having fun and oftentimes you get to see the evolution of a person real-time. They start out as sober, then a little more talkative, and ultimately become your best friend after a few shots of tequila.
Sure if they drink too much it can become annoying, but most people do control their liquor you are the overseer of all that. And if you buy them a free drink, they may be your best friend for life. So now you are making new friends, getting tipped well and now you also have developed a new admirer. Of course this can be irritating, but everyone loved to be admired a little.
The Freedom
The people, the money and the fun are extremely compelling reasons to get hooked in the profession. But I believe the main reason why it’s so hard to just exit the profession is the freedom. Sure you can go to other jobs and make more money, but none offer the freedom a bartending job offers you. Sure you have more opportunities to be a responsible adult, but who really wants that? Bartending keeps you committed because:
- Forget about working a 9 to 5. You have the ability to sleep in and make whatever you want depending on how good you are.
- You don’t take your work home with you. You are not stressed with finishing an assignment at home.
- You get to hang out with all the cool people. Yeah you may have your share of stuffy co-workers, but with all the people you meet, you are always in the middle of an interesting discussion.
- You know how well you are doing on the job. People are more empathetic when they drink, and if you do a good job, you will hear about it. I mean who doesn’t want to be acknowledged for the good work they do?
Original Article: https://botyapp.com/blog_bartender-hard-to-quit-but-why/
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