Message 10294 of 22774 in Behind the Bar

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I started a new job at a new restaurant and we get slammed at the bar.  We've 
got one bartender doing server drinks and the other takes the customers at the 
bar.  It was so busy on Friday night that I was immediately slammed with 
people at the bar and constantly trying to catch up and provide good service 
but I was so busy I had no time to really talk with them besides Hi, how're 
you doing, what can I get you?  Some people looked pissed because I was so 
busy but I was busting ass the best I could serving drinks and two course 
meals at the bar.  At the end of the night I made 18%, which is normal since 
we do a lot of food, so maybe they weren't that dissatisfied with much beyond 
their own lives :). The bartender doing drinks for the servers picked up some 
of my slack, as he should, but man, I just felt like there had to be a better 
way to do it.  How do you make people feel welcome and like you've got all the 
time in the world for them, when you really don't?

Someone suggested on a night like that we get three bartenders back there.  
But man, I'm already not raking it in at this place and then I'd make even 
less splitting tips three ways.