Ten tips to get that drink first
Most students will experience the dreaded bar queue. Fighting to get to the bar for the next round, but once you get to the front you can be waiting for ten minutes before you even get served. We have put together some tips to make sure you get that drink in time for the next song.
1. Get to know the staff
One of the hardest tips to follow, especially if you are at Superbull on a Friday night and the bar staff literally have no time to talk. On less busy nights simply ask them how they are, start a mini conversation. This way they will remember you as the nice person who wasn’t just shouting “oi, can I get served?”
2. Chose your spot wisely
Most bar tenders have sections of a bar which they serve. Try to stand in the middle of two sections which means you have two possible servers not one. Sections are normally divided by tills; standing in front of one would usually mean you are in the middle of one of the sections.
3. Make eye contact with the bar staff
Eye contact is important, once initial eye contact is made, which may only last a second, smile. This moment of contact will put you in the bartender’s mind. Being friendly can only improve your chances to be served next.
4. Don’t wave money
Barman at Home nightclub Sam Johnson says that it is off-putting when people wave money at him. However, it is useful to have your money ready as staff are more likely to serve you if they can see you are prepared.
5. Only signal when they are free
Most bartenders hate it when people shove their hands in their face. Be patient and wait your turn, snapping your fingers or waving can be seen as being quite aggressive. Keep calm even if someone approaches the bar and immediately gets served.
6. Use the space
At a crowded bar it is hard to get to the front, however once this is achieved try and get your friends to the bar too. Covering more of a surface area will mean you have more of a chance of getting served. Try and have exact change so you can hand this to whoever gets served first, they can then order all the drinks.
7. Don’t act drunk
Think about this logically, if someone looked like they have had too much to drink, would you serve them? Probably not. Even if you are on the less sober side stand up straight and try to speak clearly.
8. Tip the staff
This may be unpopular for students as nights out are normally done on a budget. However, a tip may mean that when you come back to the bar later in the night you will be remembered and therefore will get served quicker and before people that have been waiting.
9. Go to the quieter back bars
Most of the main clubs in Lincoln have smaller, quieter bars where it is easier to get served.
Superbull at Ritzy, Pulse – small bar on the middle floor, usually manned by one person
Home – The bottom floor (with the light up dancefloor) is usually the quietest, depending on the time the entrance floor can be a shorter wait.
Lola Lo’s – The bar at the back, near to the reserved booths is normally the quietest.
Tokyo’s – the bar in whichever room is open apart from the main room.
10. Go VIP
If you are prepared to spend a little bit more on tickets and drinks then using the VIP room is the best way to get served quickly. There are a lot less people so you don’t have to fight your way to the bar.
The main thing to remember in all of this, is that the bartender has the power. It is up to them who will get served next. Yes, it is unfair if you have been waiting longer, but they have a lot of people to serve during the night and they will forget who was there first. Make the right impression and you should ensure a speedy serving.
Drink responsibly.