Un-Beer-lievable

I work at a tiny taphouse that is right next to a very popular small-business wing place.

We only sell beer and pre-packaged foods/snacks (no kitchen) at the taphouse. However, we tell people that they can bring their own food in if they want, which is allowed because we don’t make food ourselves.

Many customers choose to bring wings over from next door. We have even worked out a little discount between both of our places, where if you show a beer receipt from us over at the wing place, you get a discount, and if you show us a wing receipt, you get a dollar off your beer. We share a lot of the same customers, so the owners just thought that would be a nice thing to promote business for both places.

The wing place does serve beer, but only basics like Bud and Coors Light, Corona, etc. We are a craft beer taphouse and sell a lot of different types of beer.

Due to both places selling beer, and our discount partnership, some people get confused and think we are the same business that is separated into two parts. Understandable! But we have signs everywhere saying that alcohol can’t go between facilities. I explain this to customers who say they have never been in before as well.

This guy comes in and says:

Customer: “It’s my first time in the taphouse. I have friends getting wings next door.”

To immediately nip any confusion in the bud, I explain:

Me: “Your friends are welcome to come eat their wings over here, and get beers with you, but you can’t take one of our beers next door, and they can’t bring any beer in here.”

Customer: *Scoffs.* “The kid working at the counter next door told me I could bring it over there.”

Yeah, right.

Me: “Then that employee is mistaken, and it is not allowed.”

He also got mad that I asked for his ID. He decides on a beer, and I pour him a pint.

Customer: “I just want one while I wait for the food to be ready.”

He pays and then proceeds to walk out the door with his beer. I stop him and explain again.

Me: “You can’t bring the beer over there, but your friends can bring the wings over here.”

Customer: *Getting mad.* “I wouldn’t have got one of your beers if I’d known that! But I don’t want any of the s*** beer next door!”

Me: “Sir, I explained it less than five minutes ago. Twice. You said okay. I am sorry for the confusion, but you have to finish your beer here or have your friends come over with their food.”

He starts to chug his beer dramatically, and I resist the urge to laugh. He leaves. Ten minutes later, he comes back in.

Me: “Did you and your friends change your mind about coming over?”

Customer: “No, but I want some beer to-go.”

We offer some cans and 32 oz crowlers to-go. Before I pour the beer, I let him know:

Me: “Just a reminder that you won’t be able to drink this to-go beer next door.”

Customer: *Huffs.* “YEAH, I GET IT!”

Me: “Would you like me to hold the crowler in the cooler for you until you and your friends are ready to go? So it stays cold.”

Customer: *Brushes me off.* “We’re taking our food to-go anyway.”

He closes his tab again and leaves with the crowler. I have an idea of what this guy is trying to do, but I’ll take his money before confronting him.

I wait about two minutes and then ask someone to watch the bar for me. I go next door. I see this guy at a table sneakily pouring beer into a glass from the crowler. Nope. 

I go up to the wing place manager/owner and let them know what’s going on. The manager goes over and tells him and his friends they’ll have to leave. He starts to tell the manager:

Customer: “The other guy said it’s okay for him to bring the beer over!”

I jump into the conversation.

Me: “NO, I did not!”

The guy looks a little sheepish and starts to sputter a bunch of angry toddler sounds. They all start to leave while the guy starts yelling about how we’re all idiots. His friends look embarrassed, and one of them says:

Customer’s Friend: “Dude! What the h***! Why are you always an a**hole?”

The manager actually ended up letting the guy’s friends stay, because they didn’t do anything wrong. The guy was mad that his friends wouldn’t leave with him. 

I get it, I don’t really drink certain beers either. But you could have just come over and had your wings and watched the same exact game on TV, and had good beer at our place. Instead, now neither place wants to serve you ever again. How did that work out for you?