Audacity And Alcohol Shouldn’t Be Mixed

I’m part-owner and lead bartender of a small nightclub in my city. I’ve been a server, bartender, barista, and line cook (one job at a time, not all at once) for over thirteen years, and I have NEVER kicked someone out of my establishment before.

One Saturday, I went to grab stock from dry storage. I was gone for maybe a minute, and when I got back to the bar, there was some guy literally pouring himself a shot of Fireball.

I snatched the bottle and shot glass from his hand.

Me: “You can’t do that, man. That’s illegal.”

Guy: “Nuh-uh.”

He gestured vaguely behind himself.

Guy: “She said I could get a drink.”

Me: “I don’t know who ‘she’ is, but this is my bar, and you can’t pour your own drinks, man. I’ll lose my license.”

Guy: “I didn’t even do nothin’.”

Me: “Bro, I watched you pour a shot. Now, you can pay for a shot I pour you, or you can leave.”

So, the dude ended up ordering two Fireballs— No, he wanted Crown. No, Crown Apple! I poured the Crown Apple.

Me: “Okay, that’ll be $6.50.”

He handed me $10. I gave him $4 back because he was snarking at me and I just wanted him out of my face at that point. Then, he started to ARGUE with me about his change! He claimed I owed him a dollar!

Me: “No, you gave me $10 for a $6 shot. That’s $4 back. Now take your shot and get out.”

He continued to argue with me about change, so I just called security.

Me: “Take your shot and get the f*** out of my bar.”

I have never in thirteen years had an experience like that with a customer. I would have kicked him out right away, but I’m a woman and he was twice my size, so my instinct was to defuse the situation before I got attacked.

OH, and to top it all off, I found out later he had entered with a lit blunt (?!) and an open bottle of beer! I don’t know where the door guys were at that point, but they were given a stern talking-to about leaving their post.