How do you get a bartender's attention?

[Tron-tonian]

Being male, I can't flash man-boobs to get faster service, so I pull out cash.

I don't *wave* it, but i make sure that it's visible, and if it's the first drink of the night, I tip VERY well. It helps that Canadian money is colored differently depending on the bill type, so I'll usually pay $10 for the first drink, with steady (though smaller) tips throughout the night.

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

 

[Astoria]

Usually just keep pushing your way to the front and lean over the counter a bit (really helps if you're a girl). If that doesn't work keep staring at them and have your money clearly visible. If that still doesn't work yelling at them sure would get their attention, not sure if it would make them serve you though.

 

[Vanguard_Ex]

stand up, and hold up a 5'er, and look them in the eyes. always worked for me. don't forget to smile if they're cute!

This is what works for me. I tend to kind of twiddle the note in my hand and raise my eyebrows if they make eye contact. Subtle but it works.

haha XD i just realised, we're talking about bartender's like they're pole dancer's XD

except they're better cuz 1-cheaper, and 2-booze last a hell of a lot longer and 3-alot less likely to get you in shit for anything lol.

Haha! We are tbh xP True dat man

 

[theamazingbean]

Hold up arm, yell "Hey!". Don't be black, cause that may get the cops called on you.

 

[DigitalAtlas]

Know how much you want to spend that night? Hold it up in bill form whilst looking at the bar-tender straight in the eyes and say 'Keep them coming till the money runs out. If I pass out before then, keep the bloody change!"

Best way to get roofied.

 

[Mr.Incognitus]

Yell and throw things at the people around you. On a more serious note, I wouldn't have a damn clue, bars aren't a place I hang around at

 

[Woodsey]

I normally just pull my trousers down.

 

[EHKOS]

I just yell "petro nemo slappywag!" That's Petorian for "More beer, you slappywag."

 

[Inco]

Smile, get eye contact

Bottom line, don't be a twat

Quoted for agreement.

Really, its just simple and yet the most effect means. This works for me in the most crowded nightclubs that have people in every direction.
Just make sure you actually come forth and look like you are going to buy, don't stand back and be passive, but dont be aggressive or you just be more of a pain and ignored. (I think confidence is a good word for it, stand out from the crowd.)

 

[Blunderboy]

Smile, get eye contact

DO NOT wave money, bang the bar or be any kind of nuisance, you have no idea how fucking annoying it is having some asshole shout at you while you're busy doing something else or seeing to someone else, and in most cases most staff will make you wait longer out of principle

If you're not being served it's probably because the bar is very busy, in which case it's just better to be patient, if you keep coming back try to get the same guy or girl, they should remember you and remember the fact that you're not an asshole and be more inclined to come to you first, it's also good to leave a small tip like £1 or $1 or whatever, it's not much but this is what will get you remembered and faster service in the future

Bottom line, don't be a twat

This. Oh so much.
I used to be a barman, and nothing gave me a warmer feeling then ignoring people like this to serve the calm patient people.

Just say in the same place, where you are visible. Any decent barman will have a system, and will have a rough idea of who has been there for how long.

 

[ThongBonerstorm]

Have HUGE boobs.... they always get served first, and the host they've chosen.

 

[SillyBear]

Just wait? I've never been in a bar where they don't serve you eventually. Sometimes when they are busy you might be overlooked a few times, but they'll always come back to serve you.

I really don't understand what the issue is here, is this an American thing or something?

 

[Zac Smith]

Was in a busy bar one night and some girl kept pushing in front of everyone saying "can I get served pleased" guy behind the bar went "Tip for the future, the more you shout out, the more we ignore you" I lol'd to myself

 

[Twilight_guy]

Bring in a beer bottle, break it open on the counter and threaten to stab someone if you don't get a drink. Then have the cops arrive and arrest you and... no wait that's the wrong plan. Have you tried getting his attention the same way as another other clerk, i.e. body language saying "hey you, I wanna buy something".

 

[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