How to Get a Bartender’s Attention

Published on Monday, February 25, 2008, by CHOW Video Team / Edit Post

How to Get a Bartender’s Attention

Yelling out your order at a bartender won’t get you a drink any quicker; it will get you an annoyed bartender.

CHOW Tips are the shared wisdom of our community. If you’ve figured out some piece of food, drink, or cooking wisdom that you’d like to share on video (and you can be in San Francisco), email Meredith Arthur and tell us what you’ve got in mind.

ALLCHOW Tip
POST A COMMENT |18 Comments

COMMENT

  • I find an open spot near where the bartender is standing (if possible), lean forward over the bar, have my money in my hand, and know what to order - especially if it's crowded. If it's not crowded, then there's time to shoot the shit, otherwise, just shoot the order.
    If they are ignoring you and you don't care for the place anyhow, leave.

  • tip well.

  • A better video would have been "How to Get a Girl to Get a Bartender's Attention"

    Not only do you get a drink, but you get a girl. Perfect!

    Besides... the bars I go to are WAYYY too fast paced for the bartender to ask me what I want to drink. It's usually just eye-contact and a nod. If I have time, I'll introduce myself and shake his/her hand. That's often good for a free drink by the third...+READ

    A better video would have been "How to Get a Girl to Get a Bartender's Attention"

    Not only do you get a drink, but you get a girl. Perfect!

    Besides... the bars I go to are WAYYY too fast paced for the bartender to ask me what I want to drink. It's usually just eye-contact and a nod. If I have time, I'll introduce myself and shake his/her hand. That's often good for a free drink by the third round.-COLLAPSE

  • Sheesh, I got disgusted with bars where you had to compete to give your money away back in college. Low cut blouses tend to work though....

  • i have to agree with JeMange (quite funny) and Foureyes137 (sad, but true!).

    "tip" is equivalent to "use your inside voice." ;-)

  • Someone setup a tripod for this?

  • Ha! Most useless tip ever.

    I know I'll get sassed for this, but I've found that the best way to get the bartender's attention and be served quickly is to act pissed off and make it appear like I've been waiting unnoticed for a long period of time. Stare at the bartender, look unimpressed, furrow your brow, tap your hand impatiently on the bar. I've found that sometimes I get served within...+READ

    Ha! Most useless tip ever.

    I know I'll get sassed for this, but I've found that the best way to get the bartender's attention and be served quickly is to act pissed off and make it appear like I've been waiting unnoticed for a long period of time. Stare at the bartender, look unimpressed, furrow your brow, tap your hand impatiently on the bar. I've found that sometimes I get served within seconds of arriving even if there's a crowd of twenty people huddled around waiting for drinks.-COLLAPSE

  • I have found that making really sexy, intimate talk with my girlfriends always gets the bartender within earshot quickly.

    "Like, we were doing it on the boss's desk and then he...."

  • I made a New Year's resolution to never kiss another bartender's ass for the rest of my life. And guess what; I've noticed no significant difference in how I'm served. We've elevated the bartender to almost Rock Star status. I've had to deal with assholes all day too. Now it's your turn. So get me my draft and stop whining.

    Thanks

  • This approach doesn't work when no one else has respect for the bar...

    But yes, ideally, this would be the only way to do it.

    Also, in a coffee shop, don't bark out your order either. Man I hate that.

  • Totally pointless. If you can't handle a bunch of people. You shouldn't be behind a bar.

  • What a useless video... Personally, I find that pissing on the bar gets the bartender's attention pretty quickly. Unfortunatey, the bouncer's too...

  • I think that if you have a bartender like that you don't have to shout. I have been to a few places that were so understaffed you practically had to lasso the staff. What is the strategy for these places.?

  • Wow! That was pointless. Here's another tip. When you want to find out the time, either look at a watch, clock or ask someone.

  • Yeah, strange tip.

    I find holding money in my hand, smiling, and waiting patiently at the bar might be a more useful way to get a bartender's attention.

    Oh and most important, look thirsty.

  • yeah, but yelling at a bartender is sure to make you lose his attention pretty quickly.

  • This should probably have a new title. It's not about how to get a bartender's attention. It's about how how to order *after* you get their attention.

  • works very time, if he is looking....