The solution to bartenders being loath to make some drinks is easy. If you feel that it's too much effort, either don't list it on the menu or charge the appropriate price for the timne and effort involved. The latter alone will dissuade enough people from ordering. However, if it's listed you have the duty to your cutomers to make it, period.

On the bright side, expensive and difficult drinks lead to bigger tips.

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Personally, I'm a beer and shot kinda guy, but if you feel that doing your job is too much trouble then get a different job.

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Agreed. If you can't seem to handle making a Manhattan during service, you're not working hard enough.

On the other hand, here are some things no bartender, busy or not, wants to hear:

http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/moblog/index.php?p=294

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I agree with comments 1 and 2.

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Im a bartender, and I love my job! There are times when we all get aggrivated, but just remember most of us out there are working for 2 to 3 dollars an hour, just like your waitress. And tipping is more than just a courtesy!!!!!

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I am a retired bar-tender. I found "difficult" drinks to be enjoyable challenges. For example, I loved to hear a customer say, "Hey! Hey! That's the greatest Margarita I ever tasted!" Or, on Derby Day, "Man! That is one fine Mint Julep! Not even at Churchill Downs do they make 'em better!"

The secret of making a "very dry Martini" was simply to omit the vermouth altogether. Then listen to them rave! "Wow! Now THAT's a dry Martini!"

Tipping? Never act like you have "earned" one. Never "hint" about it.

Don't like tending bar? Okay . . . go get a job as a mortician's assistant.
--Jerry H. Simpson, Jr.

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the word tip is short for...To Insure Promptness. if the meal or drinks are not served properly....then there is no tip. and yes...tipping IS a courtesy. if you are not satisfied with 3 dollars an hour, get another job

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I use to bartend in Chicago, Seattle and Nashville, TN and to be honest I loved making the more "sophisicated" drinks, especially the fine-crafted drinks like a martini or a cosmopolitan . I took pride in my ability to please the customer and enjoyed the finesse it took to make that "perfect" drink catering to each individual. My best tips came from these customers compared to the beer and wine customers who , in my experience, didn't tip as well. I rather wait on the more complicated drink people who usually appreciate it when you take time out for them and still manage the bar quite well. I have excellent references from the bars I worked at.

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Matter-of-fact , I use to fantasize bout being able to make that perfect martini, Manhattan, lemon drop and my favorite the "Old Fashion" which can be made over 20 different ways ! Boring drinkers, Be Gone !

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If they don't like making those drinks then don't be a bartender. Those drinks are usually expensive and pay for the time it takes. Also they are usually very weak so not much booze is used. I always drink Mai Tai's and at a cost of around 7 to 8 dollars each plus tip shut up and make my drink.

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As a Manhattan drinker I will tell my woes....Although I enjoy the very "special" Manhattan that I sometimes hit, I can still be happy with whiskey and sweet vermouth...but many cannot even seem to get that right. I even say that's what I want and for some reason bartenders cannot even follow simple directions. The Manhattan is one of the basics of the bar business....no fru-frus involved! Why they find it so difficult is beyond me!

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I have bartended for 20 year's and I love it,making that manhattan for my 1st time was great.
Had never made one and once I did that was the end,where I work when it comes to the drink they come to me, and when it come's to a cold beer they go to te other bartender.that make's me feel great when that ask for me.as far as the tipping,well we all know there are good day's and bad day's so either deal with it or quit.

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You are missing the point folks. I bartend. And it is frustrating when you are 3 deep on people waiting for their drinks, and they want something simple like a 1 or 2 booze mix and someone wants a dirty martini, but oh wait its too dirty or not dirty enough, and oh wait i think you bruised it. Don't get me wrong, i like doing my job and want to give them good service, but if i have 6 other customers who want somethingeasy and you want something more time consuming, let me clear the bar and i can make it exactly how you like it. but its a fast based job and fast service is crucial!

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I have bartended many years and it always bothered me when it's a real busy night and the other bartenders complained about it. All of a sudden they are mad and get rude with the customers. Please! I always loved it busy. First of all it means that we are "making money"! And second it makes the night go faster.

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I am a bartender and there is no drink I do not like to make. Just like any service buisness the best thing is to keep your customers happy and coming back. There are times were I do get frustrated with customers but that is when I am the only person behind the bar and the otherside is a couple people deep. Although I am stress junky I love the adrenaline rush so keep them coming. The thing I think what gets me are undecided people, 50 cent tippers, and those who say every drink is not strong enough, you want more booze your gonna pay for. Sorry my job is not worth loosing for giving you and extra shot for nothing. Where I work the managers and owners have eyes and ears in the back of there head.

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i am an avid drinker of fru-fru frozen drinks i.e....margaritas, daquaries,pina coladas, mudslides etc. and i have friends who are bartenders and they were very proud to make me the perfect one... what happened to people who take pride in what they do for a living??? THEY SHOULD SLOW DOWN AND AIM FOR PROFECTION INSTEAD OF SLIGGING A DRAFT OF BEER DOWN THE BAR... THANKXS CAM

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In responce to comment # 7

I agree that tipping is not just a courtesy. If nobody wanted to work for three bucks an hour PLUS TIPS, who would be making your drinks Chuck?

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I have bartended for fifteen years. I like to drink, and I like most people who drink. What drives me crazy are the numchucks who want (insert some name you've never heard of here) that had somewhere, sometime but have no idea of what's in it! At our bar the mojito is the most hated drink. And people who say " get another job " are the kind of assholes we make the weakest drinks for. Bottoms up!

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I remember a movie where a character said, "I'll tip because I get good service not because society tells me it is the right thing to do." I used to be an assistant manager in a five star hotel restaurant. My servers used to complain about not getting tips. I would tell them, and the bartenders that nothing says anyone has to tip you for anything. If you don't like what you are being paid, GET OUT and find another job!!

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i get so tired of bartenders and waitress saying they only make 2-3 dollars an hour. yeah thats what they are paid by their employer but they certainly make more than that with tips (over 500 a week at some establishments) if you were only making 2-3 dollars per hour im sure you wouldnt be (or stay) in the business!!

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