I've done a lot of restaurant shops, but the bar component is relatively new to me, both in shopping and in my personal life. Because I want to eventually do hotel and resort shops, I'm adding some restaurants with a bar visit to get my feet wet.
My first question: If a customer pays in cash and the bartender retrieves change from a leather wallet rather than a register, is this most likely a violation of policy? Or do some bars allow this and just settle up with the register at the end of the night? I'm not talking about pulling his wallet out of his back pocket. This is a large wallet taken from a shelf under the bar, and I've seen it twice in the same establishment with different bartenders. Receipt readily given upon request.
Next question: Say a person orders a mixed drink, such as a vodka and cranberry. Bartender gets out a rocks glass and a jigger, measures the alcohol into the jigger, then keeps pouring into the glass from the bottle as he dumps the contents of the jigger into the glass. Sets both jigger and bottle onto the counter, adds the mixer, and hands patron her (extremely strong) drink. Is this considered bad practice? Or is it a perfectly acceptable hybrid between jigger measurement and free pouring, and the customer who just happens to like her drinks on the weak side should just suck it up and order a 7-up on the side?
Obviously in both cases, as a shopper I report what I see and don't need to pronounce it good or bad in my report, but I'm not a fan of my own naivete and it helps me to phrase things with the right emphasis if I know what's up. The guidelines for this shop don't explicitly state what the acceptable practice is for this establishment.
Also, what are some good options for mixed drinks with a little sweetness that leave room for an upsell? It may be a while before I can drink another vodka cranberry after the one I had to sip last night.
We are all here on earth to help others....What on earth the others are here for I don't know.
--W. H. Auden