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1. Arguing with a bartender. Just don’t - this is one battle you won’t win. It’s quite possible that a bartender screwed up your cocktail and garnished that Gibson with a cherry. You might also know 10x as much as the bartender does about cocktails. I’ll share a secret with you, bartenders by nature have very big egos and want to be the alpha dogs at the bar. Recognize this fact and you’ll have them eating out of the palm of your hand. If they ask you how that Gibson with the cherry garnish tastes - just smile and say fantastic. Next time don’t go back. Any bar that garnishes their Gibson with cherries isn’t a bar worth going to.

2. Not knowing what you or your friends want to drink BEFORE you get to the bar - especially at a crowded bar. The bartender is there to serve everyone at a bar, not just you. Don’t waste the time of other people waiting behind you who already know what they want to drink, and most of all don’t waste the bartenders time.

3. Splitting up your drink orders. If you will be ordering a couple of the same drinks, tell the bartender at once - it will be easier on the bartender. Easier for the bartenders means happier bar experience for you. Don’t wait until the bartender makes a round of drinks including a Manhattan before you decide you want another Manhattan.

4. Ordering complicated drinks at a busy bar. Complicated could anything that’s not common, for example a lot of the cocktail recipes you’ll find on this blog. When the bar is busy - just get something simple. Simple could mean whatever the specials are (ask for top shelf liquor) or anything popular (again ask for top shelf liquor). If you want a classic or complicated cocktail, wait till the bar is slow and tell the bartender you’d like them to make you a special drink you had somewhere - you don’t know what it’s called (even if you do, if the bartender recognizes the drink you’ve got yourself a keeper) but you do have the recipe. Write it down and hand it to the bartender.

5. Ordering a complicated drinks at a busy bar (same as #4 but I need to repeat this to drive this point home) - people are like sheep, once you order something different, other people at the bar might want to try it. If they like it, guess what? Your bartender will be making complicated drinks for the rest of the night and who likes complication? Easier for the bartender means happier for you. Also don’t order more than two - whether the bar is slow or not.

 6. Tipping poorly - Bartending is a hard job, and contrary to what you might think bartenders make little in terms of wages and depend almost entirely on their tips for their income. Plus you want that bartender on your side as soon as possible,  which translates to faster service. Contrary to what you might think, bartenders remember poor tippers. If you’re ordering a couple, leave a really good first tip after your first drink and you’ll see what I mean.

7. Yelling at the bartender. When you make your way to the bar, relax. The bartender is there to serve you and will acknowledge you. Do not whistle, click your fingers, wave your money at the bartender and worst of all - bang the bar loudly. Don’t even bang the bar quietly. Just smile and nod when the bartender looks your way and patiently wait your turn. Nodding at the bartender first will make them serve you faster.

8. Leaning over the bar. Respect the bartenders space. See #1 about alpha type personalities.

9. Not having your money ready when ordering your drink. See #2.

10. I’m leaving #10 open for you, the reader to choose. Just comment on this post and I’ll add the most popular thing from the comments.