Beyond Mixing Drinks: What I've Seen and Heard Behind the Bar

Being in the bar, you see, hear, and experience all kinds of things. It exposes you to countless moments, conversations, and experiences. Some moments are funny, while others may be uncomfortable. I found it beautiful because it is very unpredictable and not repeated every day.

The following anecdotes are drawn from observation and being present, not just in the bar I work in, but across other bars I’ve been to. Before engaging in a conversation, I’ve learned to understand the importance of reading the room – especially when guests are having personal moments among themselves. This is often seen with couples (who make up 60% of our clientele), where it is important to respect their space while still being attentive, whether it’s checking on their drinks, food, upcoming orders, or other needs.

Let the conversations flow

Conversations at the bar often go beyond the drinks themselves. However, a memorable drink-related order was with a group of girls: they ordered Cherry Pop, and when I sent the drinks over, they said, “Oh, can I pop your cherry?” and then laughed.

Some guests show interest in the stories and flavor behind classic cocktails, finding it exciting to feel like they’re “drinking a piece of history.” Others are curious about how certain drinks are made, from clarification, distillation, to other creative techniques.

There are occasional requests that differ from the bar's concept, such as asking for a Flaming Lamborghini, inquiring about when a performance might start, and if there’s a dance floor for a 500-square-foot bar.

And of course, there’s the classic and familiar line, “I know the owner,” when the owner is just a few feet away from this person.

Guests regularly chat with the team about which bars to visit next, what drinks are worth ordering elsewhere, and what to expect from different bar concepts and styles. Some people even come up to us and show cocktail photos from other bars' signature drinks, and ask if it’s possible to create a similar cocktail (the answer is no).

There’s also plenty of conversation around food: where to eat next, favorite cuisines, and restaurant recommendations, along with discussions on what to drink next from our bar menu.

The things we witness

Over the years, I’ve seen a lot. People getting a little too excited after one too many drinks, and accidentally ending up on the floor, bringing a bar team along for the ride. Then there are friends stepping outside for “fresh air,” and after a single puff of a cigarette, suddenly performing a surprise backflip before returning inside with a forehead bump.

I’ve witnessed festive season enthusiasm where folks use the washroom for 30 to 45-minute bathroom breaks, causing a very long line, and then groups of five to eight people would come out from a single cubicle.

Some people arrive thinking Penrose is a club and hand over their IDs. I’ve seen people going on top of the bar (elsewhere) channeling their inner Coyote Ugly, and falling.

As bartenders, we’re excellent wingmen or wingwomen too; we have to be discreet, especially for those guests juggling multiple dates (you know who you are). Occasionally, we had to step in for certain situations, like when someone tried to cozy up to another guest’s partner and had to be escorted out.

Then there are the legends; people who stay from opening to closing, enjoy 10–15 cocktails, and still look composed. And then there's the daring duo who, during our first two weeks of opening, worked their way through the entire menu.

All of these moments add to the lively, engaging atmosphere that makes working behind the bar memorable.