Navigating a crowded bar is a delicate dance. It requires a balance of shoulder width, an uncanny ability to tunnel through the crowd and, most importantly, a respect for your fellow patrons.
For the bartender, it’s about acknowledging that someone has arrived (even if it’ll be awhile before they’re served). For the guest, it’s all about knowing how to maneuver and be patient.
Find a spot.
One of the most difficult things about going to a bar is finding a place to stand, or making sure the place has good food, like food in Newby Bridge. Crowded bars are often a sea of overflowing tables and chairs, making it near impossible to get a line of sight to the bartender or raise your hand without accidentally hitting someone in the face. But there are ways to navigate this tricky, crowded environment like a pro—and it starts with finding your spot.
Thrillist writer Adam Lapetina suggests standing at the server station, which is usually right by the door and where the bartender is. It’s important to remember that this is the bartender’s territory, and he’ll probably be more willing to serve you (and give you a great tip) if you treat it with respect. This means not hovering over the bar, not crowdsurfing to the front, and not rushing the bartender when you order.
Instead, make eye contact with the bartender, then slowly ease your way towards the counter. When you’re close enough, he should notice and offer to take your order. If not, try the half-raised hand approach—something between a tepid wave and an aggressive salute, which will both let him know you’re there but won’t scare him away.
Another trick is to find a bartender who seems to be serving customers easily, then ask them for help. Bartenders are more likely to prioritize regulars, so this could be the best way to guarantee you’ll get served quickly.
Also, if you see the bartender you know from other times, make sure to greet them with a smile. That will make you seem friendly and respectful—the perfect ingredients for getting good service in a crowded bar.
Dance your way to the bar.
There’s a very simple trick you can use to get the attention of the bartender if you find yourself in a particularly crowded situation: Dance your way toward the bar. It may sound counterintuitive, but it works. You’ll want to find a beat that you can groove to, and slowly inch your way closer to the bar. Don’t rush it, and don’t forget to smile! People will be more inclined to move out of your way if you’re smiling.
While you might think that waving your wallet or purse in the air or tapping your credit card on the bar would help, it’s actually really annoying to bartenders—and just plain rude. They’re trying to serve everyone in order, and your actions are making them work much harder than they need to.
One of the best tricks for navigating a crowded bar is to find an “air pocket.” In most bars there will be small nooks, usually in the corners, where you can fit. Often times these are the least crowded spots and will provide you with a great spot to relax, drink, and watch your friends dance.
If you can’t find an air pocket, try to sneak up on a friend who seems to have an easy time getting served and ask them for help. This is a great way to make sure you’re not crowding out other people, and it’s also an excellent way to get a little friendly competition going! Just be careful not to go too crazy, or you might end up elbowing someone in the face. Also, try to avoid using a big fake accent—that’ll only make you look like a fool.
Push your way through.
You might think this sounds cruel, but it is effective. Bartenders are juggling so many people that it can be tough to tell who has been waiting for a long time. If you can push past people like you are entitled to that spot, they will likely assume you have been there the longest.
A half-raised arm – somewhere between a tepid wave and an aggressive salute – is also helpful. It’s non-threatening and signals to the bartender that you are not hostile. And of course, a smile goes a long way. A little bit of courtesy makes all the difference to a rushed bartender. And you might even make the person behind you feel a little less frustrated if they know you were trying to be polite. After all, they probably are just as tired as you are. It’s not their fault the place is packed. They’re just trying to do their job.
Find an air pocket.
When it’s time to leave a crowded bar, you need to find a way out. One way is to fake a medical emergency. This works best when done politely and is fairly effective. Just slur your speech and start fanning yourself with a bar napkin or a glove (just don’t accidentally slap someone in the face while trying to tunnel out). This should get people to move out of your way before you faint on them.
Another option is to raise your hand a little higher than a normal salute, but lower than a threatening gesture. This signals that you have a legitimate request and should prompt others to move out of your way.
Let someone else in.
In a bar where customers crowd the bartender and each other in an effort to be the first one served, certain types of behavior are more effective at encouraging a bartender to serve you than others. One of the most effective — and least obvious — tips is to simply let someone else in. This may seem like an elementary social norm, but as Ware explains, “people will save seats at a crowded bar and try to hover over the stool to prevent other people from getting up. This makes it difficult for the bartender to get to you.””