Let’s talk about the experience of going to a bar or restaurant, which should be a relaxed and enjoyable one for you. Perhaps you can hear live music while chatting with friends, and also enjoy a perfectly crafted drink from a skilled bartender. However, to be honest, bartenders prefer friendly customers but dislike certain orders.
Some orders can result in extra physical labor behind the bar. Sometimes ingredients are missing or unsuitable, and the order itself may reveal certain information about you. Two professionals discussed these tricky requests. Julien Aurelien Whaley has over 15 years of experience in the field. Samantha Follows is a senior bartender at the Jazz Club “Baked Potato.” They shared the drinks they prefer not to make.
So before waving down a server, consider your surroundings. A little extra consideration can make the evening smoother. This helps the entire team enjoy the experience. Let’s look at a few major red flags when placing an order.
We are now in the era of craft cocktails, as you know. Bartenders use a variety of exquisite ingredients to create amazing drinks. These drinks can easily cost between $15 and $25. But sometimes you don’t want to spend that much money. That’s where small bars come in. Small bars are known for their relaxed atmosphere, affordable prices, and rich stories.
Bars typically don’t have fresh lime juice, which is an essential ingredient for making a perfect Margarita cocktail. Instead, bars use sweet-and-sour mixes, most of which contain high-fructose corn syrup and artificial flavors. Bartender Julien often discourages customers from using these mixes.
He explains that it’s not that he can’t make it. The drink might not even bother him personally. Instead, he just can’t bear to see customers drinking that stuff. Next time you visit a small bar, don’t order a margarita. Stick to the simple classic drinks they do well there.
Some cocktails require specific ingredients to achieve the right flavor. Not every bar has the high-quality ingredients needed for these cocktails.
Samantha said that sometimes making cocktails makes her feel sad. Take the Manhattan cocktail, for example, she said. She’s never had the right ingredients. They’ve never had truly delicious black cherries, and not even simple syrup. The lack of these ingredients means her Manhattan cocktails aren’t good enough. Those who know this cocktail are easily disappointed. As she said, she always feels sad. People usually don’t know, but if you do… if that’s your cocktail, you might be disappointed.
Good bartenders really don’t like to disappoint their guests. It’s not just because the tips will be smaller, you know. They take pride in the drinks they make for you. Samantha suggests choosing standard, conventional drinks at ordinary places. This is a wise choice when the bar isn’t ready to offer handcrafted drinks. She says, “This is your basic spot; you’ll order a Jack Daniel’s and Coke. You won’t go wrong, you know?” She thinks drinks like Long Island Iced Tea are safe. No matter what happens, it tastes great because the Coke rounds it out. Rum and Coke or whiskey and ginger ale are also safe choices.
Bartender Samantha always remembers to bring fresh limes. She once brought a large bag of fresh mint leaves to the bar. Most bartenders are happy to use fresh ingredients; they like it that way. They like to make drinks that customers will enjoy. When the bar is packed, mojitos become a big problem.
According to Samantha, some clubs lack bar counter space. They lack the equipment needed for proper preparation. Drinks like the Mojito require muddling first. When someone orders a Mojito, she has to check the fridge. After finding the mint, she carefully picks the leaves. Hurrying back to the bar area, she begins muddling. By the time she finishes, there might be twelve other orders waiting.
When the bar is under immense pressure from customers and fresh ingredients aren’t prepared, some bartenders opt to use artificial syrup to make fruit drinks as a quick fix. So, in a crowded bar, it’s best to avoid ordering a mojito.
Bartender Julien currently works at El Granjero Cantina. The bar is now famous for its tequila and mezcal drinks. He is a highly skilled bartender who can mix delicious drinks. But even so, he encounters requests from customers every week. They ask for all the ingredients of the cocktail to be served separately. Specifically, they request a margarita cocktail with ingredients separated. He says this is the thing he hates the most.
You know, there are many classic Margarita cocktails. Julien is happy to adjust the recipe according to your preferences. If you want less sugar or are missing a specific ingredient, such as a low-sugar version or a spicy flavor, he is fully open to customization, as he puts it. But the request to have the ingredients served separately frustrates him. Sometimes guests want to mix their own drinks at the table. This has numerous frustrating reasons for a bartender.
First, you may not be familiar with all the ingredients used. You may not understand what makes your drink delicious. Second, and more importantly, making such a request indicates a lack of trust. Asking to mix it yourself is seen as impolite, as if you’re belittling their profession and skills.
Los Angeles’ “Baked Potato” bar is known for its cramped space. It’s an intimate music venue where customers can enjoy live performances up close. The best part is sitting right next to the musicians and watching legendary artists perform. But this intimacy means that bartenders have to serve customers without disturbing the live performance.
Bartender Samantha Follows clearly remembers those days. She was often asked to prepare iced drinks like Piña Coladas or mixed Margaritas in that cramped space. At the time, the band was often on stage, just a few steps away. The blender’s noise was exceptionally loud, disrupting everyone in the small space, including the musicians performing for you.
Additionally, mixed drinks took longer to prepare, with their preparation time far exceeding that of simple drinks. Julien noted that leaving the bar area to find the blender was a hassle. If the blender wasn’t visible, he suggested ordering a margarita with ice cubes. This would satisfy everyone, especially during busy or overly quiet times at the bar.
The Espresso Martini is the popular vodka cocktail of the moment. During the preparation, Kahlua liqueur is usually added for an extra kick.Kahlua is a sugary coffee flavor that gives a kick. It’s a great choice if you need a boost of energy at the start of the night. However, if you don’t like coffee, don’t order this. An espresso martini is definitely not for you.
Julien Whaley has seen this before. Customers ordered espresso martinis, but once they tasted them, they were scared off. Because they tasted real coffee. If you just want something sweet, not an alcoholic drink… Maybe you shouldn’t have had the drink. Especially not a craft bar that prides itself on using real coffee. Basically, don’t order this drink just because it’s popular.
The next time you go out for a meal or a drink, take a moment to look around. See if the bar is packed. And, never snap your fingers. Being a good customer isn’t about cocktail knowledge, it’s about being patient and considerate at all times. It’s about treating your employees with the respect they deserve. They will be fully aware of your good intentions. Honestly, it will make the experience better for everyone in the room. Here’s to being attentive the next time you’re out!
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