Last updated on March 25th, 2024
Find here 3 funny stories from behind the bar at Alligator Soul Restaurant in Savannah, Georgia. If your week hasnāt been weird or funny enough, I hope these entertain you.
SPECIAL THANKS! To my good friends Harley (IG:helmetsandhairgel) and John (IG:petrotraining95) for their experiences and Harley for posing for the photos. Love you both!
Hi everyone! Hope you are having a fabulous week!
I bartend at Alligator Soul Restaurant in Savannah with two very good friends of mine.
Hereās the thing about bartending: you need to work as a unit with your co-bartender. It involves a unique dance of communication and synchronization. However, there are times when we are left to fly solo and deal with unique situations.
Presented in no particular order, here are three amusing stories from our individual experiences during bar service. The other bartender had to step away and take a break.
There should be no doubt in your mind that the guests featured in these stories are neither young nor inexperienced. Itās not like they donāt know any better; these are adult men attending an evening at an expensive fine dining restaurant.
The setting and demographics make these stories even funnier.
1. The Merlot.
A man orders a shot of Merlot.
Yes, the wine, Merlot š·.
Yep, a shot.
He is instantly questioned by his confused bartender, Harley.
Guest: Hey there, Iād like a shot of Merlot, please.
Harley: (Visibly very confused) Yes sir. Ummā¦ A shot of Merlot? Do you mean a glass of Merlot?
Guest: No, just a shot. I donāt need a whole glass; thatās absurd.
Harley: Butā¦ why? Are you sure?
Guest: Yes. How else do I need to ask for this?
This man remains passionately adamant about it, even with the face of confusion and questioning from his bartender.
Harley doesnāt even know how to charge this man for this shot. Looking for a way to charge for 1.5 ounces of wineā¦.
Finally, Harley gives up and just gives this man a shot of merlot. At this point Harley is already in a bad mood, frustrated by the guestās condescending tone.
The man gazes at the shot, takes a sip, and sulks in his own dissatisfaction for a few moments.
Harley returns to him with curiosity, and asks him if everything is ok.
The man replies very casually:
Guest: Oh, I meant to order a shot of Amaro. My bad.
Harley walks away.
Guest: Ummmā¦ can I get that shot of amaro now?
Harley: Yeah man, just waiting for you to shoot that Merlot. š
2. The Lemon.
While enjoying his beverage, an older gentleman decides to reach across the bar to snag a dehydrated lemon wheelāa garnish primarily meant for visual appeal.
We say this garnish is mostly visual: It is technically dehydrated food, so you wonāt die if you eat it, but it is not going to be a good experience for you.
Have you ever seen a man grab a lemon š and take a bite out of it?
He apparently thought it was a cracker or a snack of some sort?
Side note: Does this look like a cracker to you?
Upon this man teaching with bare hands to grab the garnish, the bartender, John, locks eyes with him:
John: Sir, please donāt touch thatā¦
Guest: Oh, this? ā¦
He puts his hand inside the glass and grabs one.
John: (More sternly) No, sir, stop. Waitā¦ donāt put that in your mouth!… Donāt do it!
The man, slowly, still locking eyes with him, pulls the dehydrated lemon up to his mouth.
He replies to John, almost in a whisper:
Guest: Shhhh, shh, it will be ok. Itās going to be ok.
He puts THE WHOLE THING in his mouth and chews!!!
John stares in disbelief, and the man makes a sour expression of high displeasure. John, now a bit amused, but still angry at the audacity, taunts him:
John: How does it taste? Are you happy now?
Guest: Noā¦ Not good. Can I get a napkin, please?
3. The Bow tie.
I wear a bow tie every night.
It is a personal preference, as a classic tie just gets in my way of preparing and shaking cocktails.
Apparently, the most impressive thing I do as a bartender is tying my bow tie without the help of a mirrorā¦ or tying a bow tie at all.
While shaking a martini, a man sitting at the bar stares at me. Heās focusing a bit too hard on my neck/chest area, so I approach him with a smile.
Vanessa: Would you like another drink, sir?
He pauses for a moment and then gestures in a circular motion, circling his neck and chest area, but referring to me.
Guest: Is that real?
I look down at my chest, confused, thinking that maybe I popped a button on my shirt?
Vanessa: (Looking down at my chest) Oh, these are real, butā¦
I look back at him. He starts to panic, pointing at my neck and says, āNo, no, I meantā¦ā.
I reply instantly: āOh! My bow tie! Yes, it is a self-tie bow tie. Thatās also real, honey. It is all realā¦ā
I have to walk away with a smile immediately. I go into the kitchen to be able to laugh freely.
That man looked a bit too mortified for me to just burst out laughing right there in his face.
Do you have any funny stories? Iād like to keep this going. DM me on Reddit or Instagram to be included in a post!
Sharing is for lovers ā¤ļø See you in the next one! Follow me here for weekly posts about travel tips and bartending.
