Years ago, when imposing a minimum credit card purchase was not allowed, I had the following exchange:
Me: I’d like to order a second beer.
Bartender: Sorry, we’ve already called last call.
Me: Okay, I’ll just close out my tab then. Here’s my credit card.
Bartender: You’ve only have the one beer, and we have a ten dollar minimum for credit card purchases.
Me: Cool, I’ll have that second beer then.
Bartender: But we’ve called last call.
Me: ….
Me: Listen, you can pour me a second beer and I’ll meet your minimum. Or you can ring me up for the one I had. Your choice. The alternative is I just leave.
Not really. I’ve bartended (and managed bartenders) in this state for twenty years. The only binding thing is the 2am cutoff, and that means no one is allowed to have ANY alcohol at 2am. For that reason, most places call last call 15–30 minutes before 2. Nothing out of the norm there, but he absolutely could have sold me one more beer at 1:40 saying that it has to be finished by 1:59.
What exactly was I supposed to do? Both options were as a result of their self imposed limitations: the credit card minimum is allowed now, but back then it was explicitly prohibited. And while they called last call, it was still twenty minutes away from the 2am when the law prohibits more sales. (Calling last call 20-30 minutes prior to 2am is common, and I have no issue with that).
No doubt, at least on the minimum cc purchase thing. They were, however, choosing to not serve me a second beer 20 minutes before 2am. That was definitely a choice the bartender made.
This was years ago when things were cheaper and a beer was like five dollars. Obviously (because I’m in the US, I’m going to throw down a couple of bucks for a tip, but it still wouldn’t have met their minimum.
Years ago, when imposing a minimum credit card purchase was not allowed, I had the following exchange:
Me: I’d like to order a second beer.
Bartender: Sorry, we’ve already called last call.
Me: Okay, I’ll just close out my tab then. Here’s my credit card.
Bartender: You’ve only have the one beer, and we have a ten dollar minimum for credit card purchases.
Me: Cool, I’ll have that second beer then.
Bartender: But we’ve called last call.
Me: …. Me: Listen, you can pour me a second beer and I’ll meet your minimum. Or you can ring me up for the one I had. Your choice. The alternative is I just leave.
They rang me up for one.
I think that can put them in an off spot legally, depending on their local liquor board. I understand the bartenders reluctance.
Not really. I’ve bartended (and managed bartenders) in this state for twenty years. The only binding thing is the 2am cutoff, and that means no one is allowed to have ANY alcohol at 2am. For that reason, most places call last call 15–30 minutes before 2. Nothing out of the norm there, but he absolutely could have sold me one more beer at 1:40 saying that it has to be finished by 1:59.
I would have rang you up with a tip.
Sure, if you cleared it with the customer first. Otherwise your just a thief and an asshole.
If you ask me it OP that was the asshole. The bartender was just doing his job and wanted to go home.
What exactly was I supposed to do? Both options were as a result of their self imposed limitations: the credit card minimum is allowed now, but back then it was explicitly prohibited. And while they called last call, it was still twenty minutes away from the 2am when the law prohibits more sales. (Calling last call 20-30 minutes prior to 2am is common, and I have no issue with that).
It seems very unlikely that the bartender had any input on that policy.
No doubt, at least on the minimum cc purchase thing. They were, however, choosing to not serve me a second beer 20 minutes before 2am. That was definitely a choice the bartender made.
I’m any case, I wasn’t rude about it.
This was years ago when things were cheaper and a beer was like five dollars. Obviously (because I’m in the US, I’m going to throw down a couple of bucks for a tip, but it still wouldn’t have met their minimum.
https://xkcd.com/859/
Aw fuck, I can’t believe you’ve done this.