[Drinking] Queuing at the bar

[BadFish]

So I don't go out very often but I have noticed that the last two gigs I have been to in Melbourne have introduced the notion of queuing for the bar. By this I mean long queues straight out from the bar with gaps in-between at the bar. Rather than finding a space and using ones bar skills.



Last night I upset a gentleman because I didn't notice the queue (it kind of seamlessly mixed with the rest of the crowd) so just wondered up to he bar and found a space. Once I joined the queue o got chatting to another guy about when the phenomenon started.



Didn't notice it in Brighton in the last few weeks. Is this just a Melbourne thing?

 

[Brok]

So I don't go out very often but I have noticed that the last two gigs I have been to in Melbourne have introduced the notion of queuing for the bar. By this I mean long queues straight out from the bar with gaps in-between at the bar. Rather than finding a space and using ones bar skills.



Last night I upset a gentleman because I didn't notice the queue (it kind of seamlessly mixed with the rest of the crowd) so just wondered up to he bar and found a space. Once I joined the queue o got chatting to another guy about when the phenomenon started.



Didn't notice it in Brighton in the last few weeks. Is this just a Melbourne thing?

And what, exactly, are bar skills?

 

[BadFish]

And what, exactly, are bar skills?

Getting yourself noticed to purchase a drink.

 

[Cotton Socks]

And what, exactly, are bar skills?

The art of subtly leaning forward on the bar, subtly putting your hand forward at a certain angle. Whilst trying to get eye contact with a member of bar staff. Never say 'excuse me' or something like that. Decent bar staff should know who's waiting in which order anyway. From my experience the subtle approach does not work during half time at theatres. Not a problem at football as there are orderly queues (obviously apart from the odd git who pushes in).
In answer to the OP question I did notice it a couple of months ago when I had a drink on the pier. There was an odd queuing situation of 2 queues with people waiting patiently, then someone going to the bar between the 2 queues and starting another queue. Took me 30 minutes to get a drink!

 

[Brok]

Took me 30 minutes to get a drink!

Good bar skills?
No, I prefer my slightly less subtle approach. Wave a handful of cash over the counter, whilst shouting something like "Over here, mate".
Never waited half an hour so it must work.

 

[Guinness Boy]

I've seen this in a few places. Lime in Salford Quays operated this way before the Man U game. The hotel we go to in Devon as a family has a huge bar and entertainment area and also operates a single line queue. Never seen it in Brighton though. My local still very much operates the "bar skills" principle though, being small, friendly and full of people around my age, no one gets very upset in there about anything.

 

[Cowfold Seagull]

In answer to the OP question I did notice it a couple of months ago when I had a drink on the pier. There was an odd queuing situation of 2 queues with people waiting patiently, then someone going to the bar between the 2 queues and starting another queue. Took me 30 minutes to get a drink!

Awww blass your . . .

See what l did there?

 

[essbee1]

I prefer a queue to be honest. At least you don't get queue jumped by some loud-mouth, ignorant, selfish wan*er.
And it stops ignorant and lazy staff from having to ask that immortal question: "right, who's next?" ffs.

 

[Westdene Seagull]

When I worked behind bars I made sure I knew what order people came in to the bar. Anyone trying 'bar skills', and especially those waving money, had to wait a little longer - unless they were a good looking female

 

[el punal]

Good bar skills?
No, I prefer my slightly less subtle approach. Wave a handful of cash over the counter, whilst shouting something like "Over here, mate".
Never waited half an hour so it must work.

You must go to a lot of empty bars.

 

[Official Old Man]

Memories of Henekeys (Ship St) 1981 ish. They used the original Wetherspoons system of big bar not enough staff. Queue was always 4 or 5 deep. Don't think I ever got drunk in there.

 

[beorhthelm]

When I worked behind bars I made sure I knew what order people came in to the bar. Anyone trying 'bar skills', and especially those waving money, had to wait a little longer - unless they were a good looking female

i often found standing politely next to the guy waving a note is a good way to get served before. its as if bar staff hated that

of course dont get that any more

 

[jackanada]

As I don't go out drinking these days I shall share the best way of getting served at a bar when it's busy.
Before you start on the sesh properly with your mates go off to your intended pub for peak hours. Sit at the currently quiet bar. Have a quiet jar, have a chat with the staff, discreetly enquire if they are working late. Commiserate with them. Buy them a drink/give a decent tip and wave a cheery goodbye.
Return later and enjoy the looks of disgust and awe as you successfully order a round within moments of arrival from the back of a heaving throng of punters.

 

[essbee1]

As I don't go out drinking these days I shall share the best way of getting served at a bar when it's busy.
Before you start on the sesh properly with your mates go off to your intended pub for peak hours. Sit at the currently quiet bar. Have a quiet jar, have a chat with the staff, discreetly enquire if they are working late. Commiserate with them. Buy them a drink/give a decent tip and wave a cheery goodbye.
Return later and enjoy the looks of disgust and awe as you successfully order a round within moments of arrival from the back of a heaving throng of punters.

You mean invest 30 minutes of your time earlier to save 30 minutes later? Brilliant!!!!

 

[Paulie Gualtieri]

And what, exactly, are bar skills?

Waiving a £50

 

[Swansman]

I hide my booze in the bushes. Walk out, go to my secret corner and drink and smoke for a while, go inside and socialise... repeat a couple of times over the night. Cheap, exciting, no queues of any kind, and very classy obviously.

 

[Bodian]

I hide my booze in the bushes. Walk out, go to my secret corner and drink and smoke for a while, go inside and socialise... repeat a couple of times over the night. Cheap, exciting, no queues of any kind, and very classy obviously.

I'm a little convinced that you might indeed actually be doing this.

 

[Questions]

Where do you hide your rohypnal ?

 

[Easy 10]

I fell foul of this at the Spoons in North Street (don't judge me). Sloped up to the bar without noticing the queue of drinkers snaking back towards the stairs. Still got served though. f*** 'em.

 

[pasty]

Queues at a bar are fine until some tosser at the front being served suddenly notices all his mates at the back and orders another 5 pints. Happens regularly at football.