Tips to Keep Those New Year's Drinks Flowing

You want quick, attentive service. You want a well-poured drink. You want a knowledgeable bartender with a mean book of recipes and a steady grip on cocktail culture. Maybe you need a compassionate ear every once in a while. You expect these things from a good bartender.

But what have you done for your bartender?

The view from the other side of the bar (the one with the bottles) offers a different perspective. Bartenders have nuances - unruly drunks, cheap bastards, amorous losers - just to name a few.

But, why should you care? Because the way you treat your bartender could make a big difference in the way he or she treats you. Local bartenders share their pet peeves and offer tips for getting on their good side.

Tip No. 1: Know what you want to order before you go up to the bar.

You know how packed certain bars can get on the weekends. Seems like you've been waiting to give your order forever. Finally, it's your turn. What do you do? Here's what you don't do.

The most annoying thing is when you ask people for their order, and they've been standing there for awhile, and they say, Uh what's good here?

This rule is especially important when you have a large group with you. A lot of times, someone will order a drink and I'll go get it for them. Someone will come back, and they'll say I need a beer too, and go get it. Then someone will come back, and then they ask for another beer.

Tip No. 2: Do not insult the bartender.

Offending the bartender, no matter how unintentional the slip of mouth, will most certainly lead to weaker drinks, poorer service and evil scowls.

Tip No. 3: Don't drool, harass or pester. Just tip.

This rule applies to the female bartender in particular. Save the pickup lines for the woman sitting next to you. Guaranteed, the bartender has heard it before.

Tip No. 4: Above all else, be patient!

Nothing gets under a bartender's skin like the customer who yells, whistles and whines to get served. Don't be that person.

People have to remember that bartenders are only one person, and we are waiting on 25 to 30 people. Relax and don't get uptight.

Other secrets to keep in mind:

Waving or holding your money in front of you as you wait at the bar doesn't make a difference. Leaving a decent tip after you get your order does.

When there are several bartenders behind the bar, they have most likely split the bar into sections. If one of the bartenders is not waiting on you it may be because he doesn't want to steal business from his co-worker.

Even though they will usually accept it, don't use your credit card to buy one beer, especially if the place is busy.