I work in a bar. We’re kinda rural; we generally shut anywhere from 8:30 PM to 9 PM, depending on how busy it is.
On this particular night, it was not busy; I started my pack down just after 8:15 PM. I had a couple of people still finishing up, and I called last drinks at 8:30 PM. The customers were understanding and came and got their last drinks. My manager came and took the cash tills away, and the bar was very obviously packed up and everything cleaned.
Three guys on motorcycles pull up out front about 8:50 PM. I greet them and they ask:
Customer: “Are we able to order drinks?”
Me: “That’s fine, however I can’t do anything too crazy, as we’re about to close, but you’re more than welcome to get a beer, a nip of something or anything in the fridge, and I can only take card as we’ve packed the tills away for the night.”
Customer: “How are you packing up? It’s so early!”
Me: “Yeah, but we usually close around this time, sometimes later if it’s busy, but there’s not much going on tonight.”
Customer: “But we’re here now, so you can stay open.”
Me: “I wish I could, however, three people is not enough for me to stay open. So, what can I get you?”
Customer: “I’ve never seen you close this early, ever, like ever.”
This is odd to me, because for the last two months straight, this bar hasn’t been open past 9 PM.
Me: “Oh, do you come here a lot?”
Customer: “We’ve been here once or twice before.”
Me: “Oh, okay, well, sorry, but what can I get for you?”
They order their drinks and try to pay with cash. I remind them I can’t do cash, only card. No worries, they pay.
Customer: “We’ll be back soon for our next round.”
Me: “Sorry, this will have to be the last drinks. The bars packed up, and I need to close it. I need to clock out; you’re more than welcome to enjoy them, and my manager will lock up once you’re done.”
Customer: “Oh, well, can we get three more rounds then? Make it worthwhile.”
Not wanting to ruin their night or keep this going any longer, I just make their drinks, they pay, and I think we’re finally done.
It’s now 9:30 PM. One of them turns around and asks:
Customer: “Sorry, we wanted to use the pool table. We know it only takes coins, but we’ve got a $10 note. Can we swap it for some coins?”
How many times do people need to be reminded that the cash till has been taken away for the night? Four times, apparently…