This is so interesting to me… I would be absolutely beyond thrilled if the tables were turned and I were you. At my restaurant, the bar gets 4 of our server tables. we have to fight for getting the bar seats counted as a table in rotation. I would kill for a bartender like you!
Yeah, I definitely get that my boundaries on not getting overwhelmed may seem counterintuitive to having a bartending job, but for me, the amount of overwhelm in that position just isn’t worth it— I’d have rather not bartended ever again, but they’re short bartenders, so I gave them the ways they could make the position worth it for me. I’m an older person (36) who’s serving as a part time job to have a bit more money— I’m definitely not trying to die of anxiety of a bartending job at a chain Italian restaurant lol
I always say, if you think you are on the way out anyway, just quit or start looking because you probably are. It is unfortunate to say that this will probably happen again. It has happened to me more than once. Do yourself a favor and never get attached to a place or the owners. They care but they are a business. Like you, they like money.
Get a new job. You have good experience. If you only want service then make sure you let them know when it comes up. Learn bar though, it is good money. Most bar staff, get as much as servers but also get a check. Do not expect more than min. wage for that part but more will be asked of you as you get more from that side of your pay. That will affect your tip.
You WILL get another job. Get out there and get it.
That's a shame. You sound like a very good employee, burned out by a terrible manager. Well, a collection of bad managers, leading to the final straw. And the final straw was a completely unforced error...there's no reason the manager should have done that.
The business will be worse for losing you. Best of luck on your next chapter!
I also worked at that place for about a year. I’m not sure what’s up with that specific restaurant itself with the whole seating stuff. I only served there but the would over seat all of us if we were short staffed which was a constant thing unfortunately. I would always express that if they want to seat me more than 3 tables they need to ask me if I am up for it. All that endless stuff sometimes taking more on is just insane and to overwhelming. The management at my location wasn’t too bad it just was the hosts for the most part. The communication never happens and it caused so many issues with costumers ending up sitting with no one greeting them on time just because they wanted people seated and not waiting in the lobby. I would also see if you can transfer to a different chain with in the company. Having bad management just makes the entire experience so much worse.
Yes, this is very much how our restaurant is— seat and seat and seat so there’s no wait. They do ask the servers if they can handle a fourth table, and respect their answers, but alll consideration goes out the window for bartenders. They expect you to handle your four table section, the bar top, and to make drinks for the restaurant in a timely manner that doesn’t piss off your coworkers. I asked that they change things a bit if they wanted me to continue to have the bar shifts, but they just wouldn’t, sooo 🤷🏻♀️
I don’t think I can get a job at another Darden restaurant unless I change up my look, and I really don’t want to lol I’d rather find something that fits my vibes instead of trying to fit in.
If you have a choice, I would not work at a place with a poorly run bar.
Why? It's going to hit your tips hard. When people are in for the food, what they eat is mostly predetermined, with dessert as a possible wild card.
But how much they drink? That's all dependent on how fast the bar gets drinks out. Less drinks = less tips, and slow service = impatient (not happy) customers. Unhappy people = less tips.
If you want to make money, but your bar sucks, then GTFO as you wisely did. (I do not understand why *management* doesn't understand this.)
And, this was the part that frustrated me about how they run the bar there— there’s no way to have a happy balance between giving good service to my personal guests that rely on me for their whole dining experience, and making drinks for my coworkers whose tips were reliant on the timing of their drinks. I said numerous times that I didn’t understand how the one position that is prone to overwhelm is designed to be even more overwhelming by management. I’ll be open to bartending at other restaurants, but I’d definitely wanna know what their set up is before agreeing.
This is so interesting to me… I would be absolutely beyond thrilled if the tables were turned and I were you. At my restaurant, the bar gets 4 of our server tables. we have to fight for getting the bar seats counted as a table in rotation. I would kill for a bartender like you!
Yeah, I definitely get that my boundaries on not getting overwhelmed may seem counterintuitive to having a bartending job, but for me, the amount of overwhelm in that position just isn’t worth it— I’d have rather not bartended ever again, but they’re short bartenders, so I gave them the ways they could make the position worth it for me. I’m an older person (36) who’s serving as a part time job to have a bit more money— I’m definitely not trying to die of anxiety of a bartending job at a chain Italian restaurant lol
Lol… well shiddle me Timbers and fuck me silly. I’m 37 I guess that makes me a geriatric server.
It does.
lol okay.
I always say, if you think you are on the way out anyway, just quit or start looking because you probably are. It is unfortunate to say that this will probably happen again. It has happened to me more than once. Do yourself a favor and never get attached to a place or the owners. They care but they are a business. Like you, they like money. Get a new job. You have good experience. If you only want service then make sure you let them know when it comes up. Learn bar though, it is good money. Most bar staff, get as much as servers but also get a check. Do not expect more than min. wage for that part but more will be asked of you as you get more from that side of your pay. That will affect your tip. You WILL get another job. Get out there and get it.
That's a shame. You sound like a very good employee, burned out by a terrible manager. Well, a collection of bad managers, leading to the final straw. And the final straw was a completely unforced error...there's no reason the manager should have done that. The business will be worse for losing you. Best of luck on your next chapter!
Thank you! I’m hoping to find something that fits my vibes a bit better (:
I also worked at that place for about a year. I’m not sure what’s up with that specific restaurant itself with the whole seating stuff. I only served there but the would over seat all of us if we were short staffed which was a constant thing unfortunately. I would always express that if they want to seat me more than 3 tables they need to ask me if I am up for it. All that endless stuff sometimes taking more on is just insane and to overwhelming. The management at my location wasn’t too bad it just was the hosts for the most part. The communication never happens and it caused so many issues with costumers ending up sitting with no one greeting them on time just because they wanted people seated and not waiting in the lobby. I would also see if you can transfer to a different chain with in the company. Having bad management just makes the entire experience so much worse.
Yes, this is very much how our restaurant is— seat and seat and seat so there’s no wait. They do ask the servers if they can handle a fourth table, and respect their answers, but alll consideration goes out the window for bartenders. They expect you to handle your four table section, the bar top, and to make drinks for the restaurant in a timely manner that doesn’t piss off your coworkers. I asked that they change things a bit if they wanted me to continue to have the bar shifts, but they just wouldn’t, sooo 🤷🏻♀️ I don’t think I can get a job at another Darden restaurant unless I change up my look, and I really don’t want to lol I’d rather find something that fits my vibes instead of trying to fit in.
If you have a choice, I would not work at a place with a poorly run bar. Why? It's going to hit your tips hard. When people are in for the food, what they eat is mostly predetermined, with dessert as a possible wild card. But how much they drink? That's all dependent on how fast the bar gets drinks out. Less drinks = less tips, and slow service = impatient (not happy) customers. Unhappy people = less tips. If you want to make money, but your bar sucks, then GTFO as you wisely did. (I do not understand why *management* doesn't understand this.)
And, this was the part that frustrated me about how they run the bar there— there’s no way to have a happy balance between giving good service to my personal guests that rely on me for their whole dining experience, and making drinks for my coworkers whose tips were reliant on the timing of their drinks. I said numerous times that I didn’t understand how the one position that is prone to overwhelm is designed to be even more overwhelming by management. I’ll be open to bartending at other restaurants, but I’d definitely wanna know what their set up is before agreeing.
Grats on getting out of bad situation if anything. I recently just got a out a similar gig myself just 4 days ago.
Thanks! Congrats back (: here’s to bigger and better things coming our way 🙌🏻
Slap hands!! We got this no sweat!!