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5 Things Bartenders Notice About Their Customers with Minas Kotoulas

Minas Kotoulas, head bartender at Bar Americain, shares the 5 most important things he observes at the bar about his customers’ tastes.

We talk to Minas Kotoulas, diving into the world of customer behaviors. He shares the telling cues that bartenders tend to notice about their customers ensuring that they are satisfied with the bar or restaurant they are at and with the food or drink that they have ordered.

1. You don’t like what you have ordered. 

Many times, we make sure to see our guests’ reactions when they take a sip; we might have to jump on the floor if they do not enjoy their drink. Most of the time, we go ahead and offer them something else.  We always want our guests to leave our bar happy.

2. You are looking for a waiter.

Behind the bar you can see everything, you can feel the vibes, and the waiters play a key role in this experience. I get frustrated with the waiters when I see guests keep looking for them for a while, especially if they are ready to pay and waiting for the card machine.

3. You are spending your evening on your phone.

Going to a bar means socializing, which is good for your brain and your mood. So please leave your phone on the table and talk, talk with your friends, talk with a stranger and enjoy the time you spend in a bar. A regular guest once said to me that he knows a bar is good when you see people talking rather than using their phones. Thereafter I keep looking out for whether the guests are talking, laughing, and having a good time with their company.

Minas Kotoulas, Source: Instagram

4. You are on a first date.

The venue and the vibes in our bar are appropriate for first dates, particularly if you want to impress someone. Hence that we have a lot of people coming in, and mainly meeting people through different dating apps. Therefore, if you’re there on a first date, we know, from the moment you pass through the doors. We can see how uncomfortable you feel with someone that you are meeting for the first time. Most of the time they request to sit at the bar so they can talk with the bartenders if needed. But the best part is when he/she feels bored and is looking for a way to ‘escape’. This is the time that we do our part; we start a conversation with them and try to find things in common to link them so at least they can enjoy the moment.

5. You’ve had enough booze.

I agree that when you visit a bar you are going to drink, and we are here to serve you. But we are also here to make sure that you and our guests have a good time in our bar and go back home safe. We are always looking at guests’ behavior, and listening to them. There are few things, like raising your voice or laughter, that show us that you’ve had enough booze and we need to keep an eye on you for the rest of the night. Most of the time, your friends understand the situation and that makes our life easier. That’s why they are friends so please Keep Calm and Drink Responsibly.

Header Image Source: Instagram

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