Bar buybacks

hoopsie44 · #1 06-21-2005, 11:10 AM

Does your local bar buy you back a drink after you purchase a certain number? after how many ? Here in New York it's very rare to get a buy back in Manhattan unless you're a regular. In Queens or Brooklyn they usually buy back every fourth drink. Of course, variables such as how good a tipper you are and whether you're sleeping with the bartender can affect rate of buyback also.

jakethebake · #2 06-21-2005, 11:12 AM

I've never heard of this anywhere except when there are 2-for-1 specials or whatever.

IndieMatty · #3 06-21-2005, 11:16 AM

[ QUOTE ]
I've never heard of this anywhere except when there are 2-for-1 specials or whatever.

[/ QUOTE ] You've never heard of buybacks? Really? Or "not" getting buy backs.

jakethebake · #4 06-21-2005, 11:18 AM

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I've never heard of this anywhere except when there are 2-for-1 specials or whatever.

[/ QUOTE ] You've never heard of buybacks? Really? Or "not" getting buy backs.

[/ QUOTE ]

I've never heard of this practice at all, and I actually bartended for quite a few years. Is it a New York thing?

JimGil · #5 06-21-2005, 11:19 AM

It depends on the type of place you're in:

-local neighborhood pub - every 2 to 3 drinks (provided you're tipping each round)
-TGI Fridays - never

hoopsie44 · #6 06-21-2005, 11:22 AM

[ QUOTE ]
It depends on the type of place you're in:

-local neighborhood pub - every 2 to 3 drinks (provided you're tipping each round)
-TGI Fridays - never

[/ QUOTE ]

A chain like TGIF will never buy a drink. I think it's primarily a custom found in the NE, although I'm not positive. A tip after each round is not necessary. Always tip when I'm leaving.

steelcmg · #7 06-21-2005, 11:22 AM

well the local bar me and my pops goto after we get done working the owener comes in at 430 and buys a round for everyone in the bar. Not really a buy back but very close. So i usually get 2 beers then head home for dinner.

Ulysses · #8 06-21-2005, 11:28 AM

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I've never heard of this anywhere except when there are 2-for-1 specials or whatever.

[/ QUOTE ] You've never heard of buybacks? Really? Or "not" getting buy backs.

[/ QUOTE ]

I've never heard of this practice at all, and I actually bartended for quite a few years. Is it a New York thing?

[/ QUOTE ]

This is common practice every place I've lived (SF, NYC, Atlanta, Houston, Colorado, etc.)

jakethebake · #9 06-21-2005, 11:31 AM

[ QUOTE ]
This is common practice every place I've lived (SF, NYC, Atlanta, Houston, Colorado, etc.)

[/ QUOTE ]

I bartended in Houston for awhile and never heard of this. [img]/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

Weird. I must be going to the wrong bars.

edit: Where in houston did you hang out El D? I bartended at the Outback Pub, the Yucatan, Joe's...oh and some bowling alley I can't remember the name of.

ddollevoet · #10 06-21-2005, 11:32 AM

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-TGI Fridays - never

[/ QUOTE ]

Ten years ago. I never paid for drinks at TGIF's and I didn't really know the bartender. I did have a friend, however, that owned an engraving shop and she used to bring the bartenders personalized "flair" for their suspenders.

Free top-shelf long island iced teas are goot.

I've never heard the term "buy backs", but I've gotten free drinks at most neighborhood pubs that I used go to. (I used to go a lot). Rather than being any type of program (buy 4 get 1 free) it was more of a "thanks for your business" type thing. Take care of the regulars by giving them a free drink now and then.