Why People Are Praising This 'Bartender Everyone Needs'

Sometimes a bartender can be more than the person who pours the perfect Guinness pint, shakes up the dirtiest martini, or knows all the cocktail recipes without looking them up. As seen in a recent Fox News article, Max Gutierrez, a bartender in Florida, is being praised for looking out for two women patrons. Trinity Allie posted about the experience on Twitter, writing, "This man was harassing me and my friend and the bartender passed this note to me acting like it was my receipt! Legit the type of bartender everyone needs." The note said, "If this guy is bothering you, put your ponytail on your other shoulder and I will have him removed. He's giving me the creeps." 

While the two patrons were able to resolve the situation without the bartender stepping in, the reality is that the observant bartender did more than just realize a patron needed another order. As recounted in a NY Post article, Gutierrez commented that he has learned to pick up on "problematic patrons." He stated, "It's something you just pick up from mentor bartenders" and "eventually you become pretty good at reading people, body language, etc." While Gutierrez was able to appreciate the situation, he still chose to act. The idea of using a "receipt" as a subtle way to check on a potential situation was smart and effective. In the end, the situation was handled, the women were not bothered, and the bartender saved the day. 

When a guest steps into a bar, she might expect that the person behind the bar has a wealth of cocktail knowledge. From recommending a great whiskey to shaking up the hottest cocktail trend, that person behind the bar is the expert. Whether the guest prefers a robust conversation or a limited one, the bartender is always observing and in some ways that aspect is as important as all the mixology knowledge.

According to Serve Safe Training, bartenders may need to follow certain state rules and regulations as part of their training. From age requirements for serving drinks to state and local laws to even completing a "responsible-server course," that person who pours the perfect draft is more than just anyone behind the bar. Although on the job training can help bartenders hone all their skills, the reality is that the job is more than just serving beverages. As recently seen in the Florida bar, the bartender might be the one offering a lifeline when it is truly needed, not just a willing listener when there is a tear in your beer.