Bar Etiquette: Is It Rude to Refuse a Drink after It Has Been Poured?

keithality on 25/03/2017 - 11:04
Last edited 25/03/2017 - 14:13 by 1 other user

Having a bit of buyer's remorse here, so just wondering what you guys think.

I was at a small bar in the CBD yesterday. As I've been trying to reduce my alcohol consumption, I ordered a tonic. Now at most places I've been to nearby, this usually costs $4 but at least you get a decent tonic.

At this bar however, the bartender proceeded to casually take out an opened 1L bottle of Schweppes (which looked like it had been sitting there all day), poured about 150ml into a tiny glass which was already stuffed with ice, handed it over then said "$4.50".

So my question - is it rude to refuse a drink after it has been poured?

Poll Options

  • 38
    Yes
  • 23
    No
Food & Grocery

Comments

  • toristo on 25/03/2017 - 11:20
    +5

    If you walked into an expensive restaurant and asked the chef for a seafood platter without looking at the menu, would you ask the price first?

    I would.

    The onus is on you to ask the price and make sure you're happy before you order. You got what you ordered, it was just a rip off in your opinion if I'm reading your post correctly?

    Here's a great explanation of why it was 30c for the drink given that's probably all it would be if you got the bottle from Woolies and poured 3 glasses.

    https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/wordofmouth/2016/ja…

  • doctordv8 on 25/03/2017 - 11:31
    +1

    Need more input……..

    Yes…if there was something wrong with the drink. Was the Schweppes flat? Excessive ice, did you ask for 1/2 or less ice?
    Was the drink ok, even if not the best but still saleable to normal standards? $4-$4:50, is nothing really.

    It is open ended, if there is a problem with the product, you can refuse. If you just change you mind, no. It is not like they can put it back into stock.

    I have not had ice in any drink in many years, I refuse to pay for water, frozen or not or watered down any or soft drink. Heads up for next time.

    • magic8ballgag on 25/03/2017 - 23:02

      $4-$4:50, is nothing really.

      To you, perhaps, but that is a rip off for a glass of soft drink, especially since most bars charge that for a pot of beer/glass of wine.

      • doctordv8 on 26/03/2017 - 13:01

        It the price difference I wrote about there, 50c is nothing really in relation to the OP's question on his mixed drink. Sorry to confuse you.

  • Diji1 on 25/03/2017 - 11:41
    -5

    You think refusing to accept what you did not order is rude?

    • bobbified on 25/03/2017 - 13:15

      OP obviously did order the drink!
      The bar tender would otherwise have to be a mind reader to know to pour a tonic!

  • yaziyo on 25/03/2017 - 11:49
    +4

    Rude? Maybe, but I wouldn't lose any sleep over it. It's not like the bar is going to shut down over 30c worth of wasted stock.

    At the end of the day, you ordered something and you weren't satisfied with the product. You're not obligated to buy half a cup of water just because they already got it out for you.

  • try2bhelpful on 25/03/2017 - 11:58
    +3

    It is a difficult one. What he gave you was, essentially, what you ordered. I have had that a few times when I've gone out to dinner and not been impressed with what I was served. Now, you then have two options a) see if the bar has an email address and send an email indicating you are not happy with this "product" or b) put a review up on Zomato. You don't have to be emotional just indicate what you ordered and what you got. I think the bar would probably prefer a) so they get a chance to rectify the situation but there is always b) as the backup if you don't get a response. If you can't be bothered than it was only $4.50 and you don't ever have to go back to the bar again. There are plenty of other places in the world.

  • kywst on 25/03/2017 - 12:01
    -4

    Cause you need dat quinine for dem mozzies in Melbourne. Have you tried drinking tap water?

  • keithality on 25/03/2017 - 13:08
    +1

    Thanks for the varying opinions. Looks like most are of the opinion that the onus is on the customer to be sure of what he is ordering first. I'll keep that in mind for the future. Cheers!

  • mmd on 25/03/2017 - 13:17

    Whats the name of this bar?
    I do not know of a bar who uses the 1L bottle in perth CBD

  • mskeggs on 25/03/2017 - 15:01

    In this circumstance I would probably say, actually, can I have it in a tall glass (or a schooner) and can you top it up.
    I don't know anything about tonic water brands, but unless they specified something premium, you take whatever the house offers, unless you have made a special request.

  • blonky on 25/03/2017 - 18:16
    +3

    I'd take a sip and say it tastes flat, can I please have a new one.

    The only time I've ever seen a family size bottle used is at really cheap restaurants, thinking 2L coca cola bottles. But never in a bar

    • weezlebub on 28/03/2017 - 15:08

      When remaking your drink, ask for no ice or a highball glass

  • Piranha2004 on 25/03/2017 - 18:54

    Yes if you requested it. Although I wouldnt order one again based on the lesson learnt

  • [Deactivated] on 26/03/2017 - 04:17

    Customers need to be more clear on what they actually want. Be specific, rather than expect the bartender to either assume what you want and serve it up, or to waste time asking you painstaking questions like what glass you'd like (tall/short), want any ice?, bottled or premix from the gun? etc etc.

    If you're unsure what they have, then ask first.

    I'm a bartender and it pains me when people come up to the bar and blurt out something vague. When it's busy, there's no time to ask you all the questions so you'll just get the standard of whatever you've hinted at.

    That said, it's usually not a problem if you're unhappy with what you've received, either because of miscommunication or whatever… and we'd be happy to discard and make what you actually want. Hospitality is all about making YOU happy, so you shouldn't feel guilty or bad.

  • compingqueen on 29/03/2017 - 09:06

    I've only ever seen bars use the 300ml glass bottles. G&T is my favourite drink.

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