How to ask to close-out the bar portion of a fine dining shop without the tab being transfered to the table?

There are some MSCs that allow the shopper to order a non-alcoholic beverage in the bar prior to dinner in the at a fine dining restaurant. In the past, when I've ordered wine, I've told the bartender I wanted to close-out my tab in the bar since my employer won't reimburse any alcohol on my expense report. However, if I order a non-alcoholic beverage in the bar, and the bartender knows I have a dinner reservation, what plausible excuse can I use to close-out the bar tab?

Create an Account or Log In

Membership is free. Simply choose your username, type in your email address, and choose a password. You immediately get full access to the forum.

More About Fine Dining

Just tell them you want to close your tab, no explanation need. They actually prefer it so they don't have to split their tip with the server.

Agreed with the above. Just say you want to settle your tab. No excuse needed.

The last time I did that, the bartender kept insisting that he transfer the tab. I didn't know what to say. Do the bartenders you encounter ever not take no for an answer, or was mine just an aberration?

Tell them the sorta truth. My company won't let me expense the drinks so I need dinner on a separate check.

______________________________________________________________________
Seriously, nobody cares that you're offended.

I've never experience that, usually they ask if I want to start a tab or not. I've never had any INSIST, I've had them offer and I've declined. Maybe they thought they were making it easier for you and offering good customer service.

It really doesn't matter what they want. You are the customer so don't let them intimidate you.

Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.

If the bartender insists, just say, firmly, "No, I want to pay for the bar separate." If anything more is said, say you are on expense account and you don't want any bar beverages to show on the receipt.

The less you say the better. No explanation needed.

Just ask for tab...they usually put it in a glass, pay the bill, no explanation needed.

Live consciously....

Am I the only one who if asked why would respond, "because I do," then just stare stone faced until they did it?

Yes

There are reasons that a body stays in motion
At the moment only demons come to mind

I'm probably with Lisa. You are the customer. You ask to close the tab. They deliver the bill. That's how it works. If they say "Can I transfer it?" you just say no.

It's not the bartender's business who may be paying for the dinner. I could be a Dutch date. It could be a business thing.

I did have that happen last week, however. The host came over and said my table was ready. I said I needed to close the bar tab first. She insisted that she would have it transferred to the table. I told her that was not acceptable, and that I would see her at the podium when I had closed my tab. She walked away....

My (guest/ boyfriend/ friend) owes me dinner and will be picking up the bill. I don't want to be greedy (wink!).

Doing what I can to enhance the life of my family! I LOVE what I do

Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.

Click here to login

How to ask to close-out the bar portion of a fine dining shop without the tab being transfered to the table?

Create an Account or Log In

Official List of Mystery Shopping Companies

Mystery Shopper Magazine