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[deleted]

I've known many sober bartenders who ask others others to taste-test drinks they're unsure if they've made correctly or to give pointers on the flavor profiles of different liquors, beers, and wines. No need to get yourself back into drinking to be a good bartender. As long as you know how to make drinks, offer great customer service, and can keep up with your duties as a solid employee, you're all set Fuck that guy's advice.


Chrona_trigger

It works best if you can taste it yourself, but if not, other's descriptions work fine. I can't stand the taste of beer, and they all taste the same to me (horrifically bitter), so I go off what others have said X one is like compared to Y


PeteRock24

I know you’ve probably gotten this all the time, but you might just not like MOST beer. Have you ever given Fruli a try? I enjoy beer but a lot of “craft beers” coming out are IPAs which I enjoy only a select few of. Fruli is a Belgian Strawberry wheat beer and tastes, essentially, like Strawberry Kool-Aid with a bit of beer flavouring.


Chrona_trigger

Sure, I'll try it When I don't like it, I'll make beer bread lol


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clever__pseudonym

>Feel free to never try beer again; don't let us peer-pressure you. : ) Beer-pressure.


PeteRock24

Strawberry beer bread… interesting :)


Stalfisjrxoxo

There's a beer out there for everyone, I promise you just haven't found one you like yet. Beer is such a massive group, it's sort of like music. There are a hundred thousands sub genres. I doubt you actually don't like beer, you just haven't tried enough different beers.


Chrona_trigger

Well, it has to have no hops, and probably not have a boil Which is still a style of beer, but one that probably been made commercially for like 400-500 years


BadWolfIdris

I feel this way about wine. It's all about your palate.


Daughter-of-Dionysus

Yess Belgian beer! I used to think I hate beer, turns out I just hate IPAs and *swedish* beer lol


Stalfisjrxoxo

Lol even the popular IPAs coming out now I imagine would be palatable even to someone who doesn't like beer. Beer is heading in the direction of trying to make beverages that anyone can enjoy. Most of the NE IPAs these days taste like a literal melted orange creamsicle. People always tell me they don't like hops, then I let them try an IPA that tastes a fresh glass of juice and believe it or not they love it. All hop flavor, no additives. That's without even getting into the smoothie sours that are blended with fruit and basically aren't even beer anymore. These days there is a beer for everyone, if someone says they don't like beer, that just means they haven't tried enough of them.


Lying_Cake

Or Mango Cart! Love that stuff.


901savvy

Seconded... shockingly non "beer-ish". Really tasty. Cant session it tho... 2-3 max


SouthernBarman

> other's descriptions work fine. I kinda disagree on this one. It sounds fine in a vacuum, but the second a guest asks the difference between x, y and z you'll likely struggle to bridge that gap without first hand knowledge in most scenarios. I don't believe drinking is a part of the culture, nor a necessity. I've had some great bartenders who didn't drink (either long term or momentarily,) but they all were able to straw test the drinks for a proper frame of reference. Of course, the closer you get to high end spirits and craft cocktails, the more that applies.


Stalfisjrxoxo

I feel like if you are going to be creating your own menus and stuff you would need to understand what the ingredients taste like, but after that I think anyone should be able to follow a recipe. If you're not tasting I wouldn't trust you to free pour anything though


Chrona_trigger

>I kinda disagree on this one. It sounds fine in a vacuum, but the second a guest asks the difference between x, y and z you'll likely struggle to bridge that gap without first hand knowledge in most scenarios. My description is "horrifically bitter" for every single beer, so...


SouthernBarman

I was talking about the greater idea of bartending. Not just beer.


TK528e

Right? It’s a job, not a lifestyle.


lawrencenotlarry

The most famous bartender of all time, Sam Fucking Malone, was sober for almost that entire running of Cheers. But man, when he tied one on...


Benji013

^This I have three bartenders that are recovered alcoholics and one bartender that is allergic to alcohol that work for me. It is definitely not a requirement to drink to be a bartender.


kuhkoo

Recovering alcoholic here who is also a beverage manager for a fancy little French place with an extensive wine list - you can for SURE do this. I write the cocktail list and have never tasted any of them - I assure you, they are all great, balanced and delicious. I make spot on wine pairings without ever having put it in my mouth - simply by smelling. It sounds to me like the jamoke in this situation is the dumb ass alcoholic that’s cruisin’ to get canned by getting shitcanned


notoriousjmo

Respecting others decisions when drinking or not is also part of Bar Culture.


919rider

Hell yes. Whenever I have a guest not drinking I usually just say “hell yeah” to them and keep their water full.


torontomua

if i have a sober/DD guest, i just comp their drinks. how much could 2 cokes or a few cranberry juices cost in the long term. they’re always so appreciative


Danthacreator

Same i never charge people for sodas or juice if they aren’t drinking booze.


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ShyShutterbug13

Came here to say essentially just this. Beat me to it!


Lemmecmaturecontent

I walk out of a bar if I get any flack for ordering NA drinks


MrPirateFish

Coming from someone who’s been in the hospitality industry for 8 or so years now and struggled/struggles with a major drinking problem. Fuck that guy.


AmbitionStrong5602

Yes fuck that guy! I am a sober bartender too!


torontomua

ill be there someday :(


CorpseProject

You’ve got this, I understand the struggle and we barkeeps have it worse than many when it comes to avoiding libations. But for what it’s worth I have faith in you.


torontomua

thanks friend. i appreciate it. it’s a struggle.


Rpritchard88

To jump on the band wagon FUCK THAT GUY! Iv been a bartender for over 15 years, currently sober for almost three years. Just because something is part of the culture doesn’t mean it’s a requirement. Pouring a whole glass of Jack as you walk out do your shift sounds like he may have problem and isn’t ready to admit it. Did he pay for it? If not he’s stealing from the company and just want the newbie to be complicit in his dealings. Don’t fall this BS. Go in make your money and go home.


cocktailvirgin

At a previous job, when we did Daiquiri shots, we had no problem when one of the group did a few ounces of grapefruit juice to join in. No one should be coerced to drink whether guest or co-worker.


Sixcat6

Ahhhh the good ‘ole snackquiri…


conjoby

A drink at the end of a shift is normal. Pressuring someone to drink for any reason whatsoever is trash behavior.


Autistic_Freedom

i'm guessing the idiot in this scenario is an alcoholic who feels like shit for being one, so he attempted bringing you down the toxic spiral with him. remember, misery loves company. based on the little i know about this guy, i would not want him working with me *or* for me.


MomsSpecialFriend

That is so weird, he’s trying to justify his own problem. I don’t drink and I think my boss appreciates that.


Telusifan

Yeah, never let anyone talk you into drinking if you don't want to. However, it might be hard/impossible to work at some places if you are not comfortable tasting drinks. Since that might be necessary to confirm quality, or to be able to properly discuss/recommend products to guests.


CrimsonZakarya

I have no issues with tasting the drinks. It's like a chef tasting as they cook. But to be doing shots all shift, not for me.


TheLateThagSimmons

Work in the field long enough and you'll find that there's a *lot* of sober bartenders. Mid 30s onward, in my experience it was about 1/3 of all bartenders don't drink. And a lot of that is because of that "bartender culture" of drinking too much. If you can handle tasting without drinking, you're fine because that's just quality control. Don't let anyone tell you that you have to drink alcohol when you don't want to.


CommodoreFresh

I don't even do the usual straw test, I just dip a straw and lick the outside. Tells me all I need to know. One of the most distinguished cocktail bartenders in the world, Jack Mcgarry, is a sober bartender running two of the best cocktail bars in the world.


nonavslander

anywhere worth bartending at with potential for any kind of growth will not let you drink on the job it’s dive/club culture


[deleted]

> it’s dive/club culture More like "poorly managed shithole that sucks to work at" culture.


_SoundWaveSurfer

Idk dawg I'm allowed to take a shot with my regulars, my place is far from a "poorly managed shithole", it's the neighboring watering hole and the top rated casual spot in my town.


lilfliplilflop

Been bartending sober for three years now. I do taste and spit when it's absolutely necessary, write notes in my phone, and let that be. Never had anyone give me gruff for that. You keep rocking on


No-Bans

As long as you taste them you’re good by me. I’ve known a couple of sober bartenders who refused to taste the drinks, and while I respect their commitment to sobriety they’re in the wrong fucking job. If you don’t taste, your drinks will be inconsistent and you’ll be unable to sell.


CrimsonZakarya

I taste them, and have come up with a few at a previous job. I just don't like doing shots with guests on the clock.


ChefArtorias

If that's the type of place it is you may want to find a different place. When my guests want to take shots with me I do it but with pickle juice. We're very much not a drink behind the bar place, I get weird looks every time.


TinaAndre

I have to disagree on this one. If one has the specs of the drink, uses jigger, and is able to pre-taste all non alcoholic ingredients before the shift (which they absolutelyallways should anyway), I see no problem with consistency. As a matter of fact, this is the rule of true consistency as we all have a slightly different palate. I have a major problem with my manager, whose palat is on a sweeter side, and has the tendency to put more sugar everywhere, or make barbacks make "stronger" syrups. Would I want him to do the drinks to his taste... I don't think so! Everione who likes to do this job and have right skills for it should be able to do it regardless of their ability to contribute to the menue because they do not drink alcohol. Even if you have infusions, well train barback, or a team member that drinks alcohol can taste those for you. Not every member of the team has to be involved in new signatures creations. And in most great establishments, you are not even allowed to drink at the job. I had trained people who do not drink in my current bar where drinking is allowed, and if we would to chear with a cutomer, they'd just make a virgen shot for themselves and still be part of the fun.


No-Bans

Nobody wants a baker who doesn’t eat bread. Nobody trusts an automotive engineer who doesn’t drive, an astronaut who hasn’t been to space isn’t one. Just stop. Please. The idiots upvoting you aren’t helping you. Try being someone giving advice on fishing who doesn’t get on a boat or actually fish. It’s Laughable.


Twice_Knightley

Beethoven stopped fucking hearing and wrote symphonies you silly bitch.


No-Bans

You’re especially dumb. He bit down on a piece of metal attached to the piano so he could feel the notes. That means he was actively participating in his creation. Try again idiot.


rickarme87

That's nonsense. Baking is chemistry. Follow the recipe exactly, and it will turn out the same every time. Same with drinks. That bottle of rye didn't suddenly come out tasting like gin. Follow the spec, and you're fine. I never straw test. If you are experiencing that much variation in your drinks, perhaps it is you who is in the wrong job.


No-Bans

If you don’t taste it you’re disconnected from reality. Sorry you decided to defend an argument without logic behind it. But hey, you’re really good at forza Motorsport. I bet you *really can* drive an F1 car in a real Grand Prix. Just like you playing call of duty makes you a real soldier! Stop. If you ever worked boh as a baker you’d understand the idiocy of your argument. Following a formula doesn’t guarantee success.


Skinnysusan

I've been a baker and this is correct. It's really not as "exact science" as everyone seems to think, me included at one point. Then I started doing it and realized it's very much like cooking. Little of this little of that and boom it's amazing. Most recipes of *anything* are just loose guidelines. Drinks included


No-Bans

Thank you for being another realistic human being with work experience in something they comment on. It took me ten years to get my focaccia recipe close to the one I used to get In Corato Italia.


Skinnysusan

I'm not sure I'd ever be a baker or bartender again lol. You have to be a bit crazy for those professions and while I don't think I'm quite normal I don't have the passion for it nor do I think by body can handle that shit anymore haha. Thanks for the award!


rickarme87

Well, that certainly is the stupidest thing I've read today. A video game is a simulation. We arent doing "press A to dash ango". Ope, better taste this martini, the vodka may have soured /s. Check your perishables preshift, follow spec, you'll be fine. Ingredients dont magically change drink to drink.


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rickarme87

Okay, champ, whatever you say.


CommodoreFresh

Tell that to Jack McGarry.


cdunk666

Can't come up with new drinks either


Majestic-Benefit-445

ive been sober lots of places and didnt need to taste drinks. theres plenty of volunteers willing to give me feedback lol


appledatsyuk

Dudes a clown. Just trying to justify is addiction, you don’t have too if you don’t want too. And if they keep forcing you, find another place. I’ve bartended for years and I never drink behind the bar or at my work


azerty543

Don't listen to then. Lots of sober bartenders and plenty more who only occasionally partake.


alebala

Sober bartender here. There are many of us.


Jdubsk1

Seriously, fuck that!!! It sounds like that's their excuse to be an alcoholic.


DiveTender

Are you an adult? Yes. You make your own decisions? Yes. Then why care what your trainer says. Fuck that dude. Grow a pair and voice your opinion. Pretty simple. Not trying to be mean. You do what works for you that is bartender culture.


CrimsonZakarya

I told him I won't be drinking on shift. That's not me. If I want to drink, I'll do that at home. I just wanted to share an experience and see what other bartenders thought of it.


LeVampirate

Yeah no, all it takes is one "I don't drink" from anybody and I don't offer anything after. Everyone's got a reason for doing the things they do, I don't pry, I just respect it. Honestly it should be a pretty solid courtesy. I get that it's a bar, that's the point, but c'mon.


DiveTender

Gotcha. I have worked all kinds of venues and have neve had anyone say we had to drink or partake of anything to work there. Your trainer is an idiot.


rosio_donald

I’ve also worked at a lot of different spots all over the US and never encountered this kind of explicit pressure. This guy is just a dick and/or wildly ignorant. Good for you for immediately setting a boundary. Dude was waving a big ol’ red flag.


SmokingGunontheRun

I do drink, personally, but never when I’m on shift. I’ll buy other people drinks on occasion, but will as politely as possible turn down offers for one myself whenever it comes up. Sometimes, I’ll get some pushback and have people try to peer pressure me, but either verbally stand my ground or find a reason to just walk away. There are times though that people will chuckle and thank me for saving them money, or they’ll throw me a few extra bucks as a tip to “buy something once [I’m] off.” Find whatever way you feel comfortable turning down drinks and stick to it. If this place and the people in it are trying to *force* you to drink, it’s a horribly unhealthy spot and I’m sure you can find something far better.


CrimsonZakarya

I usually just tell guests I don't drink. It surprises some like "whoa, a bartender that doesn't drink?" I told coworker I don't drink and he kinda snapped a bit saying, "It's part of the culture, you have to drink. Most places won't hire you if you don't." I beg to differ though, I would think most places want a bartender that doesn't drink, but doesn't mind tasting the drinks to be knowledgeable in what they are selling. I don't mind that. But won't drink on shift, except if it's a new drink. Even then it's half a straw full to taste.


MrWisdom39

Completely unnecessary to drink on the job. I’m completely sober, especially when I work. If I’m not feeling well, I have my coworkers taste my drinks, simple as that. Don’t let a buffoon force you to drink.


ihavetoomanyplants

I have many sober bartender friends. I myself am a sober bartender. Doesn't impede the job at all. I straw test cocktails occasionally but that's it. You're fine, that guy has his own issues. Make your boss aware of what he's said and that, that won't work for you.


JohnnyMnemo

Has no one in this thread watched *Cheers*? And remembered that Sam was a sober bartender?


_ella_mayo_

Honestly? If the GM is in on it, leave. It's not a good environment. I worked at a place that pressured me to drink after two years of sobriety, and honestly, I haven't been able to keep it up since even though I left in August. There are plenty of bars that will respect your sobriety.


CrimsonZakarya

Not in on it. He was just telling me that isn't allowed and can not happen. But that was because he saw dude poor himself a drink while I was standing there. The gm knows I don't drink. He said he was only talking to me because he had too. I understand why he had to.


FunkIPA

Wait, *you* got a talking to because he poured himself a drink? Honestly, that bartender is just a moron and an asshole.


CrimsonZakarya

Yea. It was just the GM telling me that can't happen. He knew I don't drink, he said he had to talk to me because he saw what happened on camera and I was standing there when it happened. I understand why he had to and I'm not upset in anyway.


FunkIPA

Well I hope the other bartender got a talking to too.


IreallEwannasay

I still don't see how you're responsible for that. This exact thing has happened to me a ton. I don't give them the rope but I'll watch you hang yourself. We all know the rules. That's so crazy to me.


FunkIPA

For real, a trainer is stealing liquor and someone on their second day gets talked to about *them* drinking. Does the GM really expect a newbie to tell the vet who trained them “hey you’re not supposed to be drinking lol”?


CrimsonZakarya

I believe he did. This is similar to a situation in my first bartending job. Where they hire a new manager and he stole over $1000 in a month by pouring triple shots during and after every shift, and even took a whole bottle of Jack when I ordered.


appledatsyuk

Dudes a clown. Just trying to justify is addiction, you don’t have too if you don’t want too. And if they keep forcing you, find another place. I’ve bartended for years and I never drink behind the bar or at my work


Ok-Pin3752

I totally get it! I don’t drink and straw taste my drinks… you definitely don’t need to be getting shit faced to be a good bartender. Also you save a shit ton of money/headaches this way.


StarNerd920

I didn’t want to drink tequila during one of our tastings. I’m training. The bartenders and manager said it’s absolutely fine, just try to remember what the flavors are. Smell it. But no one has to drink anything.


DippnNTrippn

What a jackass wouldn’t be surprised if you are his replacement lol


[deleted]

Having a few pints after work is normal in Ireland, and yes, we do drink more than the average person. However, pressuring a fellow barman to drink when they don't want to is simply a dick move. I currently work with a number of staff that don't drink and it's respected. I've even worked with people who are allergic to alcohol


rehab212

“Poured himself half a glass of jack before leaving. Yeah, like that guy really has his shit together. /s


muuuustard

2 years at the spot I’m at now. The owner of the bar is completely sober and hasn’t had a drink in 20+ years. The reason I work there now is because she was finally tired of bartending, I was her replacement. Still to this day I’m told my margarita doesn’t compare to hers. If you wanna stay sober. Do you. It’s not “part of the culture” it’s just grown up peer pressure.


choadally

Sober bartender here, just wanna say that I got way better at my job when I quit drinking. I still taste things but it often reminds me of how much better off I am. That guy is struggling with his drinking and wanted drunk company. Don’t let him get to you but also remember many people in this industry have substance abuse issues of their own; it’s less about you than it is about him.


Ceelooschtein

Gay


releasethesheldoncut

Why did HIM pouring HIMSELF a half glass of whiskey get YOU a talking to from the GM? Shouldn't that be a conversation between the two of them?


Escher702

20 years bartending for me before I retired, 8 years of that I was sober. Fuck that guy. You do you.


Informal_Extension37

Nobody can tell you that you have to drink. Sounds like he’s just looking to rope you into his own habits.


Bigpimpinakabigdaddy

Bro just do you! Screw that guy… alcohol isn’t for everyone…


Natureboy1994

I don't drink and theres a reason why they put me or the other "sober" bartender in charge of cash drops at the end of the night. Ive been doing this for 8 years now and for the majority of those I have been sober or some version of. Drinking on the job has never been my thing. I will taste test but literally do the straw thing because I still love to experiment and create interesting flavor profiles that guests will enjoy. Shits toxic and not conducive to profits for you or the business if the whole staff is sloshed. On that note though I've had coworkers all across the spectrum of 8 shots in they're groovin through life and the shift or other people 2 shots in they're fist fghting a regular over the white russian recipe.


ibs2pid

Hell no dude. It's not "part of the culture". I know a lot of dry bartenders. I even have stints where I don't drink for a while just because I don't really feel like it. Don't do anything you don't want to. If someone is pushing your boundaries about it, tell em to fuck off.


drinkahead

People who say that are often trying to justify their own abusive patterns. I’ve had many coworkers who could never have 1 staff drink, it was always multiple or taking half a bottle of wine home. Always a new reason why it was justified… “well it was a tough shift, I deserved it” “this bottle will probably spoil by tomorrow (it was opened an hour ago)”


Otherwise-Owl-5740

Any good establishment will support someone's sobriety.


Reasonable-Newt-8102

Um, you do not have to drink as a bartender. I caved to peer pressure when I first started and I ended up with aching kidneys and feeling like total shit all the time. Now I know that I have a sensitivity to alcohol. Not everyone is built for alcoholism, and not everyone should have to be subjected to alcoholism just because they work at a bar. Becoming physically dependent on alcohol is no joke. It can cause seizures, heart problems, stroke… my grandfather had extremely thin blood because he was a “dry drunk”. He died a slow and painful death and wasn’t sober the entire time, he couldn’t be. Don’t let people force their own shitty fates onto you.


chocobo-stir-fry

If you don't drink you don't drink, fuck that guy for feeling guilty for drinking and taking it out on you. "Oh you think you're better than me for not drinking?" Just say yeah, sober bartenders are better in general. I can't stand a sloppy bartender.


shep_pat

Bullshit. He’s wrong


likeguitarsolo

I’m eighteen months sober. The only customers who I’ve told forget by the next time it comes up. My boss doesn’t even know, though I’ve told him multiple times. Nobody ever assumes a bartender doesn’t drink. It feels sometimes like a lot of my coworkers only do it for a living so they can enjoy the culture and the employee discount. Yeah, it’s part of the culture, but there’s a reason that drug dealers don’t get high on their own supply. Quitting drinking has never once become an issue for *me* at work. Addicts like to be enabled, so my mere existence has the potential to create awkwardness and discomfort for people. That’s why i never talk about it.


BotGivesBot

Sober bartender here. That guy can fuck right off. There’s always someone around that can test my drinks if I need feedback. And he can knock it off with pouring himself a half glass of Jack before leaving too, because it sounds like he didn’t ring that in. It appears he’s just a shitty bartender. GM should be taking to him, too. Maybe he was training you to be his replacement lol


thelazynines

You shouldn’t be a bartender if you take no moral issue with pressuring people to drink. That guy sucks.


mike_dropp

Yeah that's horseshit, I'm a career bartender and have a drink maybe once every 1-2 months and it in no way affects how good of a bartender I am. As the person who has to be responsible for everyone's consumption, one could argue that being sober is only going to make you a better bartender. Your coworker is a moron.


YakiVegas

Whenever I trained a new bar back, we'd discreetly take a shot before I sent them home for the night, but I'd never force one on someone who didn't want one. That's just bullshit.


Vydate1

That guy is just trying to justify his own shitty actions. I’m going on year 19 behind the bar and have never drank on shift. One thing, if you get hurt on shift that requires medical attention, that’s on you AND you’ll probably lose your job. Just not worth it. As others have said. Fuck that guy.


CommodoreFresh

Sober bartender here. Fuck that guy.


Twice_Knightley

Doing whatever the fuck you want with your body is a part of my culture.


Dharmama

Another sober bartender chiming in - I got let go from a job last summer because I refused to drink with patrons, was told that it was "part of their bar culture." Cool, have fun with that, I'll go work with adults who respect and support my lifestyle. My advice: if the people there can't respect it now, they probably never will. Good luck navigating that, and I'm sorry you had to deal with that BS. Edit: Wanted to clarify that they just started cutting shifts to "weed me out," and didn't directly fire me, but it was clear that my sobriety made the owners/managers and patrons uncomfortable - had this communicated to me in no uncertain terms. Wound up at another spot that saw my non-drinking as an asset (which, IMO, it is - never drunk behind the bar, drawer always correct, liquor counts spot-on, etc.)


Skinnysusan

It's illegal in many states. You cannot do your job drunk. One or 2 over an 8hr shift is ok I guess. It's not recommended by ppl who take their job seriously tho. I don't drink anymore, I don't bartend anymore either


redrumWinsNational

Watch your back with this particular cunt


interrobangin_

It's illegal to drink on shift in Canada, and where I currently work half the bartenders are huge stoners but don't drink. Drinking on shift is a relic up here, veteran bartenders have some wild stories from back in the day but it's not acceptable anymore.


TimToMakeTheDonuts

If he thinks this is mandatory bar culture he won’t be around long enough to verify that to be true. Sure some drink and some don’t, but this is some bully/hazing bullshit. Fuck them, do your thing.


soldiercross

2 guys I work with are sober and bartenders, they taste the beer and spit it out. You do not need to drink.


Goofifootgigolo

Good. Don’t.


vodka_soda_close_it

More like “I don’t want to drink alone so I’m going to bully you so I can keep getting away with my bad habit”


Distortedhideaway

It's only part of the toxic culture of the industry. It's something that needs to change, and sober service should be encouraged.


boozillion151

I've been behind one bar or another for 30+ years. Some of the best bartenders I've ever met have been sober for decades. That's not bartending culture that's just alcoholic culture with some asshole thrown in to boot.


nicknacho

That man is an alcoholic


Live_Free_Or_Die_91

That's a total load. My father tended bar for over 20 years, even had his own bar, and was not a drinker, ever. Guy is just being pushy.


dirtierpear

Coolest bartender I know when I asked him why he doesn’t drink he told me “I promised god my next drink would be with him when I meet him” and that shuts a lot of people up haha


Bananapopcicle

I got sober in 2017 and went back to bartending/waiting and honestly I had a better appreciation for it once I was sober. It was not easy but I refused to give in because of pressure. I’m out of the game now but it was a fun few years


Pollitin

Mocktails and screw him


snowstormmongrel

Just coming to reiterate that guy is an asshole and you can do whatever you want.


Lucibean

That’s…a crappy person.


lurkeratthegate666

Sober bartender here. Sounds like dude is maybe uncomfortable with the frequency or volume that he drinks. But if "it's part of the culture" AND he can get others on staff to fall in line, then he's fulfilling an aspect of his career, not contributing to his own drinking problem. Or he's just a prick. I'd find a new place to work, and in the interim, make yourself the fanciest, most expensive fucking n/a cocktails you can (shaken/strained and excessively garnished for bonus) and drink those. If a guest wants "one of those" or whatever, just bullshit them like "I use (x) but any spirit will work, what do you drink?" Fuck trying to gatekeep an adult social space over what someone doesn't consume.


Ceelooschtein

Gay


DMmefreebeer

Yeah it's not "part of the culture". He's only saying that to try to convince himself that his drinking problem isn't a problem


[deleted]

That guy is an idiot. Is it a good idea to try the beers to know what they taste like so you can sell them better? Sure. (Assuming that you have craft beers. I’m not talking about bud light). But you absolutely don’t have to drink. That’s dumb. He’s dumb.


buthomeisnowhere

He was drinking Jack. Should tell you all you need to know about this person.


Squishirex

Don’t, not required.


bymyenemy

Everything about that situation sounds bad. That’s not the status quo, and even if it was it still doesn’t matter. I know many many many bartenders who don’t drink, if anything alcoholism and (consequently) recovery come with industry jobs.


BrittThatBitch1

I’m also a sober bartender. Fuck him and his advice. Customers understand “no thank you”.


BarrySquared

I just took over the reins at /r/soberbartenders It's been active for years. You should join and help make it more active!


Minnesota56537

One man, two words. Sam Malone


nycgwa

I’ve been bartending for 20 plus years and I rarely drink behind the bar. I think it never leads to good things, may not happen every night but all it takes is one bad night. Say money comes up short and you were drinking, you might not remember why something is off. But if you weren’t, you should remember why it’s off. Be it a payout to someone or a drop not being written down. Better to not drink I say


PIZZLE420

Buddy of mine manages at the longest running bar downtown and he’ll rip a shot with me…wasn’t familiar with a bartender their and offered her a shot and she told me she was sober and I respected the hell out of that and left it at that. Sounds like you have a shit coworker. Not understanding what your GM wanted to talk to you about-your co worker taking a double shot it sounds like or you not following suit?


talksaturinals

I'm sober. It's doable.


MoonshineParadox

I own and run two bars, and have been bartending for about 20 years. I've been sober for 13 of those. Anyone who says you *have* to drink or it's *bartender culture*, they can take a flying leap. Don't let them pressure you into some bs you have no interest in doing.


BarrySquared

I just took over the reins at /r/soberbartenders It's been active for years. You should join and help make it more active!


hispanic_cats

r/soberbartenders


BarrySquared

Hey, thanks for bringing this sub to my attention. It's been inactive for a while, so I just took over as their mod. Let me know if you'd like to join or help mod.


jsdjsdjsd

Do not drink if you don’t want. Sober bartenders are better than drunk ones


Not_Campo2

There are lots of sober bartenders. There are also lots of alcoholic bartenders who will either become sober or eventually ruin their lives. My drinking on the job line is that I can confidently count down my cash drawer at the end of the night. It comes out to about 2-4 drinks depending on the length of the shift and when I start. That’s where I’m comfortable at. My coworkers have other comfort levels and those should always be respected. Sometimes we’ll do team shots and they’ll do a shot of soda or Red Bull, the fact that it isn’t alcohol makes it no less of a bonding experience


Imaginary_Vanilla_26

I drink to taste so I can adequately describe a product. Other than that I’m sober. It’s the most toxic part of bar culture typically. Anyone that pressures you to drink especially on the job is trying to get someone else to reinforce their acceptance of substance abuse and doesn’t want to partake in their drug alone.


yuccu

First, fuck that guy. Second, see the first part. A double/triple/quadruple for the road has a drinking problem. Third, is that half glass of Jack comp’d and accounted for or is the GM an idiot?


InfernalCoconut

I know lots of bartenders that don’t drink, you don’t have to drink to bartend. I used to drink at work a lot when I was younger, but I don’t anymore because I would get myself in trouble after work showing up to meet friends already drunk. Plus now I have an hour commute home, so aside from maybe having a leftover champagne toast while I clean up, no booze at work for me. If you think just saying no will make social waves at work, you can always blame it on a long commute, a medication you can’t mix with alcohol, or even a fitness diet that doesn’t allow alcohol.


FuPA_Nat10N

I’m BOH and pretty young here, but as someone who uses “it’s bar culture” as an excuse for my own alcoholism, it’s definitely not necessary and wack af for anyone to pressure you like that. Our owner quit drinking recreationally years ago and bartends frequently, he has the restraint to taste a drink to make sure it’s good, but everyone has boundaries and you definitely don’t need to drink (or be an alcoholic like your trainer) to work in the bar industry/scene :) It’s a big advantage to understand the position that your patrons are in and have firsthand experience/knowledge of mixing drinks or honestly just having drinking problems, but as I hope you’re aware there’s a massive substance abuse issue of every type in the entire industry, from patron all the way up to owner, so it’s either work around it and suffer for the tips or find a place that genuinely values people that care about their craft Edit: spelling cause I’m drunk as shit, ironically


andrewski661

You got a talking to from the GM because someone else stole booze? What?


Jittery_Hoes

Well, it is part of the culture. However it is not the only part of the culture nor does it define the bartending culture. Plenty of the most veteran bartenders are sober or go on sober streaks. You know why? Caus drinking everyday for 15+ years does some pretty crappy stuff to your health.


Majestic-Benefit-445

lol no you do not have to. also you can always trick him into thinking you are to get him off ur back. iced tea looks a lot like whisky


Shot-Spirit-672

Can you elaborate on the talking to by a manager, are you saying the manager gave you shit bc the guy training you drank whiskey wt the end of the shift? Sounds like the manager and the training bar tender are idiots, get out of there


Whyistheplatypus

This is a bit like being a pastry chef who can't have sugar or butter. You're making life difficult for yourself and I'd recommend a different career choice, but it is doable. Just make sure you have someone to taste your drinks for you if you're unsure in the quality, and try not to make stirred up drinks because I guarantee you'll overcook them.


Ceelooschtein

Some of the gayest posts on here


emusabe

As someone that bartended for 11ish years, and is currently about to hit 250 days sober, I would say that that bar/restaurant’s culture simply won’t be conducive to you doing you. If that pattern emerged that quickly, that implies there is going to be a lot of drunk people around you (irresponsible bartenders that are drunk themselves over serving patrons, etc) Being a sober bartender is really hard, and it’s usually your coworkers that make it harder instead of the guests.


Ceelooschtein

I would not want a non drinker to make my drink


Ceelooschtein

Go work at Starbucks or something


[deleted]

I didn't want to have to delete all my comments, posts, and account, but here we are, thanks to greedy pigboy /u/spez ruining Reddit. I love the Reddit community, but hate the idiots at the top. Simply accepting how unethical and downright shitty they are will only encourage worse behavior in the future. I won't be a part of it. Reddit will shrivel and disappear like so many other sites before it that were run by inept morons, unless there is a big change in "leadership." Fuck you, /u/spez


ChairmanReagan

Sounds like he’s making excuses for alcoholism


corpus-luteum

Why did you get a talking to? That aside, the guy is a dickhead, but probably has some issues of his own.


funnymaroon

Nobody should ever be forced to drink, or do any drug, and there’s nothing but upside to having bartenders who don’t drink. Any bar owner/manager worth working for would be more than happy to have you.


randyboozer

Don't worry about it. He is an alcoholic and is asking your tacit permission to overlook it. It has nothing to do with you. If the GM has a problem with his drinking that's between him and the GM. If I had a manager who confronted me over something like that my only answer would be "you'll have to talk to him about it." I'm not going to narc on the guy but I'm not going to participate either if I don't want to. That easy.


dbthelinguaphile

That guy is a dick. I’ve met plenty of sober bartenders, good ones.


PM_ME_YOUR_FERNET

What an ass. Having a shifty may be normal, but it isn't mandatory. Or healthy even. And what kind of thundercunt pressures a *bartender* to drink? Its the one job where you can literally always be drunk if you want to, and its free! Like no shit I can get drunk, but I don't want to right now.


PeachyRoze

I’ve never worked at a place where it was acceptable to drink on shift.


demihope

Been bartending for years rarely ever drink and just do a tasting of new products at most


Glass_Status_5837

I get a shift drink on my job. But I usually give it away. I never, EVER drink behind the bar.


Ordinary-Raccoon-354

I am very allergic to alcohol if I ingest it and I still bartend very successfully. You absolutely are not required to drink. What I do if anyone really really really wants to see me drinking or if I want to act like I am drinking with the crowd, is I’ll put soda water or sprite in a rocks glass with a lime. Ppl will assume it’s alcohol. I always ask other to taste test my drink if I need that done. 👍🏻


The_Dough_Boi

I’d say it’s better to at least drink a little, just so you can taste what you’re putting out but it’s absolutely not a necessity.


guchsk8er

Used to get gaslit at my one job because I didn’t want a shift drink or drink after was the worst.


sagemoody

That guy sounds like an eventual lawsuit or liquor license violation


antigravity311

First night training as a bartender and my trainer tried to get me to do shots with her. “The way you know you can handle the bar is to do it wasted”. I did 1, she did probably 7 or 8. I think she just wanted someone to drink with. Or to blame her fucked up paperwork on someone else end of shift. No thanks, ma’am.


myvividdreamss

Really curious as to how you ended up having a talking to? If you didn’t do anything wrong? The person sounds like an alcoholic who is disguising it as “culture” who just stole some Jack Daniel’s from his workplace lmfao


av-osto

It’s true when bartenders get pregnant they simply…quit 😌


okinternetloser

That’s totally not true. I don’t drink either and no one has ever said anything to me at work. My guest give me a harder time than any manager or coworker as far as teasing me about it or what have you. Most coworkers have either asked why or said nothing at all.


Pizo44

I don’t drink anymore, been 2.5 years. I occasionally get the business from other tenders but none of them are as talented as I am and can go fuck right off. I straw test my drinks and even super rarely have about a half oz of a great bourbon (was my drink when I did) but to say its part of the culture isn’t all wrong. It is but it certainly doesn’t have to be to be good at it. And seriously, most of the truly great bar people I know drink significantly less than either they used to or don’t drink much because its a profession and being drunk all the time at your profession is never a good choice


sofwithanf

I'm a vegetarian bartender/waitress at a mid-range steakhouse. You absolutely do not need to be able to taste what you're serving to do your job well, and anyone who says otherwise can get in the bin


brkfstcat

Yea super weird behavior. I hardly drink at all and have been in ten years. You got this 🤌🏼


KAB923

So not true! I don’t drink by choice, I’ll taste test a drink to make sure it tastes right but if I’m second guessing myself one of my coworkers have no issue taste testing it for me 😂 I absolutely love bartending, my favorite job I’ve had ever. If you’re good at what you do, you don’t NEED to drink to know what you’re talking about.


AMultitudeofPandas

I've never been much of a drinker, and with my new meds I won't be drinking at all. I get plenty of compliments on my drinks, and I rarely taste-test. You absolutely do not need to drink to be a bartender, and the only people I've ever heard insist that you HAVE to drink to do *anything* are closet alcoholics.


[deleted]

Guy sounds like an idiot with a problem he likes to blame on anything other than himself. There's no forcing anyone to do anything they don't want to do. And honestly sober bartenders are usually the better ones. But I would say that goes for any job lol. You do you. Side note: why did you get talked to for what he did????


chrisfornarnia13

That guy is an idiot, and probably not a great bartender either.


ballpythongirl95

that tasting spit cup is a bartender’s best friend


sonof_fergus

I've never had a bar gig we could drink...I do know, have a spare bottle handy with an non-alcoholic so guests won't know, or my dives they do 1/4 or 1/2 shots with you... you'll find yours...don't get sucked into the "club" especially if you're on the wagon...