The Eighth Thing You Never Want to Catch Your Bartender Doing.

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You see younger bartenders doing this a lot. I even did it my first week or so, until someone told me to know it off. It was too hard to describe, so I had to take a picture.

Yeah. The filthy-bar-rag-in-the-back-pocket thing. It’s so gross it makes me want to puke all over the place when I think about that thing. Twirling around, spraying bar mess all over the bottles, rubbing up against the glassware, and drizzling down the backside of that bartender’s leg.

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Soooo gross. I might get a lot of hate mail from The-Filthy-Bar-Rag-in-the-Back-Pocket-Bartenders-Association, but if I save just one person from this horrible habit, it’s worth it.

2 Replies to “The Eighth Thing You Never Want to Catch Your Bartender Doing.”

  • LETITIA says:

    Use a CLEAN pocket towel.

  • P.S.BarChick says:

    I tend to agree with you on this point, but it did raise a few questions when I read this post. First, I think you are based in OR, if I’m not mistaken. I’m not familiar with your state’s health dept and how strict they enforce compliance.
    Here in CA, they are notoriously harsh (as well they should be in most cases!).
    They recently paid my bar a visit, and while I pride myself on keeping a clean and orderly bar, I did learn two things we were not compliant with. 1st – we are not supossed to have damp bar rags at the ready, for easy clean ups. If we do, we are supposed to have them submerged in sanitizer or bleach solution. Which means finding a spot for the bucket, changing the solution, and wringing out the towel every time I need to use it. And keeping a second one at our outside bar. It’s a huge pain, even though I understand the reason behind it. 2nd – we can no longer use the towel (on a towel rack!) to dry our hands with, or any other cloth. Yep, paper towels only! Mind you, we have no dispenser, or any room for one, so we’re to walk to the other side to get them, then to the trash to toss them, then back to what we were doing. Plus, keeping them stocked. Between cleaning and squeezing fresh limes and lemons, and doing dishes in the sink, my hands are ALWAYS wet! Not my favorite rule, although I have been complying.
    Is OR the same? I’m not sure but I can tell you, even I’ve been tempted to do the towel in pocket thing on my busier shifts! Not really, but I do wish there was an easier way to dry my hands and clean my bar!
    This post made me wonder about the different state’s health depts, and I wonder how their rules and enforcement vary.
    Sorry I vented so much! And thanks for the informative and entertaining blog. I always look forward to reading it!

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