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Well we finally made the switch at our bar. No more cups of free water. I heard it from the bartender Saturday night. I'm actually surprised because we only have 2 water drinkers and they usually buy food and play pool. He also raised the price on coffee to $3 for cup and 3 free refills. Again it only seems to effect the same people. He complained to me and I explained a lot of karaoke bars handle it that way. I do wonder to myself though if the owner is singling them out. Fortunately enough they are loyal followers and won't stop coming because they are mad at the owner.

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Personally I believe that if someone orders food, whether it be just bar food or a full dinner, that water should ALWAYS be provided with dinner as a common courtesy. Even in Las Vegas where water is so valued, they still offer free water no matter what. If the owner is charging for water, thats a sad, sad decision. But, bottled water is a total different issue, because thats a cost that needs to be recouped.

Economy dictates this, I believe.

I think it has to do with economy for sure. I agree most restaurants should supply water, but this is more a bar than a restaurant. The bartenders make the food, mainly pizza.

I think coffee should be free for people at the end of the night. People who have been drinking all night and would like to sober up before driving. I'm sure the bartenders have wiggle room on that decision when the owner isn't looking. Same thing with water - I don't think the bartenders always play by the rules. Unlike the owner they know how to keep costumers happy. Sometimes I think being a penny foolish hurts business. It seems silly to charge $3 for a cup of crappy coffee ( and I do mean crappy) when the patrons have spent tons of money on alcoholic drinks all night. It's just a nice extra to give them a free cup that costs the bar pennies after they have spent so much already.

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I totally agree with that. The really good bartenders, that make a very good living, and keep owners happy, are the ones who use their discretion when it comes to things like this. We work with a couple of them - they make our lives easier, too, because the crowd stays very happy.

There is an expense for Coffee and I don't agree it should be FREE.
You might suggest that the bar have a "late night " price for coffee ....for those who want or need it before leaving. Maybe $1.50 per cup ..no re fills . ( chances are if 1 person orders a $3 coffe they have to make a WHOLE POT and end up throwing away the profits. ) Lower the price and maybe sell some coffee. BUT THEN AGAIN...its mainly a bar ? ( coffee drinkers need to go to Dunkin Dounuts )

Babs do you believe that the change in policy came about solely because of the people at your show? Perhaps the establishment is facing a problem with this type of behaviour beyond what you see at your gig? As an aside, I am curious how you are so sure that your show has only 2 water drinkers?

Lastly, as you indicated, the "food" offered is basically bar fare. While it may not mean much in the "scheme of things", I can't recall ever being offered a glass of water while eating bar fare. And nothing is saltier! Consider further that it is the salt in snacks that encourages bars to offer the snacks free! And why do they provide free (salty) snacks?

If they are ordering food, yes I agree that water should be free for the meal. If someone was just coming in & sitting down doing nothing else, then yes charge them everytime!

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Coffee is a very low cost to bars. They probably throw away more mistakes in alcohol than an entire pot of coffee runs them.
If someone has been drinking/spending all night, then give them a cup of coffee or two. Sheesh!

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I figure bars can get in trouble for this.

Some people may go for one more alchohol drink than is safe instead of paying $3 for soda or water.

It also helps their case to support "designated drivers".

I know that the problem at Karaoke shows and some bars is the table that drinks nothing, but by charging those people they leave themselves open to lawsuits by people who may have felt pressured to buy booze otherwise.

Most bars in my area give soda or water out for free, at least to regulars.

I actually never drink any alcohol or soda pop, "ever", but I do tip the bartenders for the water I receive. And thats everywhere I host. I figure they have to put as much effort into serving water as they do sodas or beers. So it's only fair in my opinion to treat them fairly as well.

This is a HUGE MYTH! The only thing that will sober someone up once they've been drinking is time.
Alcohol leaves your body at a rate of .015% BAC (blood alcohol level) per hour. So if your BAC is .015, you’ll be sober in an hour, and so on.
Coffee or any other thing taken or done (cold showers) to "sober up" have all been proven not to work.
All coffee does is make a very wide awake drunk.
When a person has been drinking, it's never a good idea to drive, period.

Well coffee doesn't do a thing about sobering anyone up, only time does. Now going to coffee will stop the drinking ealier and give some of that time. Water free with meals but bought afterwards or if no food ordered.

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Very Very true. Some bartenders use this ploy though to cut off a drunk and delay until they can talk them out of their keys.

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I don't see any problem with charging for BOTTLED water, but $3.00 for a CRAPPY cup of Joe, I'd tell this guy to take his coffee and shove it, and probably order another drink. It's bad enough when I see all these people going to Starbucks and spending $5.00 or more for a cup of coffee, I think they're lunatics too. Sorry, but I'll make my own POT of coffee for about $.50. I guess I'm just cheap, but I'm not EASY.

Srnitynow

I believe that Babs suggested that "real" meals weren't on the menu.

And if an establishment offers FREE glasses of water to patrons who purchase food, how could they justify making other paying customers purchase bottled water?
AND WHO WILL BE KEEPING UP WITH WHAT EACH PERSON IS SPENDING?


Fred is not alone in holding this view. This opinion, however, is based upon an erroneous premises and reeks of Jailhouse Lawyer jargon. Without beating this dead horse, suffice it to say that the main vulnerability of a bar stems from serving someone who is clearly inebriated. Bars are in business to sell drinks. And where it has not been outlawed, every bar has a happy hour. So much for concerns regarding encouraging bar customers to drink

From my karaoke glossary in my books:

"Aquaschmuch - Someone who goes to karaoke and only drinks water to avoid spending money...can be easily identified, as they are usually the biggest complainers about the rotation. (These are also the douchebags that can kill a gig for a KJ; if the bar makes no money, the KJ makes no money. Buy something, you cheap pricks!!)"

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So, what should a KJ do about cheap ------?

UH-OH, I think I just had a deja vu!!

Srnitynow

How about we just don't go there? Would have to ruin a good thread with THAT dead horse!