Should a bartender be able to drink at the bar?
by 
CarcinomaAngel
ANSWERS: 11
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Sure in France they do all the time, I've never seen a problem with it. In fact, it`s customary to buy the barman a drink, because tipping is frowned upon, and the barman will have his drink with you.
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I would feel better if they didn't. Just so they are aware enough to cut someone off when they've Had Too Much.
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I saw a female bartender drinking while on duty and the stuff she spilled must have cost the owner a fortune. She was sloppy, unprofessional and fired soon after.
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After 2 hours I wouldn't want him mixing me a drink. Besides, no one else can drink at work, can they?
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I don't know of any other job that lets you drink while working. I would not consider this professional.
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A friend of ours has a pub and does not allow his staff to drink while on duty,they are there to serve customers and provide a service not stand there drinking.
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No they should not in the US. Since bars are legally responsible for "cutting them off" if they have had too much, or if someone it getting out of line, the bartender needs to be fully aware of what is going on at all times. Also, they are managing money as well as making drinks.
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As a current tavern owner, I have seen both sides. It's not that I mind them drinking when a customer buys them a drink, but I can't have them drunk, either. Drunk bartenders are sloppy, dont pay attention, forget to charge for drinks, spill and break stuff, and will ALWAYS cost you money. If they only have 4 or 5 over the course of the entire 8 hour shift, that wouldn't be too bad. But what if they have 10, or 12? What if they have all 4 or 5 within an hour or so? It's just too hard to monitor. Sure, one may be responsible enough to handle their liquor, but if you let one do it, you have to let them all do it. So I just say NO. Afterall, you dont get free gas if you work at a gas station, do you?
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ABSOLUTELY NOT.
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No. People think a cool bartender pours himself/herself a shot with the customer to make it more fun. If you ever watched Coyote Ugly, they explain that the girls never actually touch the booze. It's either spit out, water, etc. A position like bartending is very tricky, I know from experience. It is really essential professionalism to stay sober when serving customers so that you can be responsible, not overdo it with them, or whatever else comes from a lack of control/ coherence.
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When I use to tend bar(manager), it depended on the evening. If it was really slow I'd have one. If it was busy or a band night absolutely not. I'd rather have the tips anyway. We didn't make that much and the tips sure helped. Of the other bar-tenders, the girls rarely drank, but the guys did. We had less trouble when the girls bartended and they were more willing to shut someone off. The girls were more willing to call the police and the rowdy patrons knew it. We also had a rule: If you got caught fighting, being obnoxious, getting out of line,or breaking a pool cue you were barred from the bar for a month. 2nd offense for a year, 3rd offense for life. Only had one lifer.
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