Buzz
People enjoy hanging out at bars because they’re full of drinks, but what truly makes a bar great is the crowd. It’s not just about the alcohol—it’s also about the people around you. This can sometimes mean that getting your drink may take longer than you expect.
This can lead to a bit of anxiety, wondering if the bartender even notices you, prompting gestures like “the cash wave” or “the impatient sigh.” These aren’t the best tactics. Daniel Casto, the bar manager at Portland’s Double Dragon, suggests the most effective strategy is simply making “eye contact—that’s it.” No frantic waving, no shouting—just keep your eyes on the bartender and stay put.
In his book, Drinking Distilled, Jeffrey Morgenthaler (of Clyde Common and Pepe Le Moko) offers similar advice:
When you head up to the bar to order a drink, choose your spot and wait calmly. That’s all there is to it! The bartender knows exactly who’s next in line and will serve you as soon as they’re able. Waving your hands, flashing money, showing off a gold card, shouting to the staff, or trying to order from the barback won’t help—and it definitely won’t speed up your service. Instead, these actions will just frustrate the staff. And honestly, do we want to spend time at a bar where the employees are annoyed by our behavior?
So, the next time you’re worried that you might just die of thirst before getting served, relax, stay put, and simply make eye contact with the bartender. (Feel free to blink though—blinking won’t make you lose your place in line.)
