We spoke to multiple bar workers employed at diverse types of establishments to hear about some of their odd and offbeat stories.
In society, locations such as bars and pubs serve as an important third place for socialization and relaxation. But, what we don’t hear about is the often strange and bizarre stories from those late workers who pour pints and control fights.
Name: Adrian
Occupation: Bar Manager at a Conservative Club
At most of the places I’ve worked at or managed, we’ve had to line the toilet seats with chemical mixes to try and subside the drug usage problems that plague most places like mine. Lads will prepare their line thinking they’ve outsmarted these places and then watch in horror as it dissolves in front of them. It’s karma in a way but regardless, I still get a kick out of it.
Christmas tends to be a busy time for us and leads to more instances. This Christmas the World Cup was still going and we went out and bought a big inflatable Santa with an England football shirt on for the corner of the sports room. Anyway, one night this lad obviously had one too many and tackled the Santa over causing it to puncture. I’m not sure what he thought he was going to achieve but a few days later he came in sheepishly with a replacement Santa that worked out nicer and more expensive than the original one we had. A win is a win.
Name: Nico
Occupation: Owner and Manager of a Pizzeria/Late-Night Bar
One late night after locking up I must have forgotten to check the location fully and discovered in the morning a figure lying on the floor in the hallway between the bar and the toilets. At first, I thought we were being robbed, but eventually realised that this older looking guy had drunkenly fallen asleep and lay there the whole time. He seemed quite confused and lacked recollection of ever being there in the morning. I was both relieved that we weren’t being robbed, but I also felt guilty that I had locked him inside. I suppose in the worst case scenario, he could have just cooked himself a pizza.
Name: Grace
Occupation: Bartender at a Major Pub Chain
We used to have these trays in all the bathrooms for sanitary products, but we had to remove them due to how often people were using them to take drugs. It wouldn’t even reach the evening before there were traces of powder everywhere. Our customers are mainly corporate stereotypes, and this corporate substance abuse stereotype seems to be accurate. They will sit with their laptops and coffee refills all day and when it reaches evening, they will let loose in some of the worst ways possible. I don’t know how some of these companies afford it, but their business expenses must add up to unreal amounts of money – we are talking in the tens of thousands per night.
Name: Lauren
Occupation: Bartender at a Conservative Club
We had this one guy come in during the summer, I think he’s a bit odd and he was told to remove his hat due to the no hats or hoods policy inside. He argued saying he can’t dance without his hat and then broke into breakdance on the wood part of the bar floor, bear in mind we are talking about a 50-60 year old. It was a bit odd. He didn’t stop all night, so fair play to him.
Name: Peter
Occupation: Bartender at a Punk Bar
Honestly, I’ve seen it all. Bloody brawls, sex in the toilets, drug transactions, and more. We try and keep it under control, but as you can imagine, it becomes difficult to keep an eye on everyone. One stand-out occasion was there was recently a guy standing outside just revving a chainsaw. I’m not sure if he thought he was a horror movie character or if he was just on something, but regardless it caused a massive scene. I don’t even know what happened to him in the end, by the time the police arrived he was already gone, but it spooked a lot of us regardless.
Name: James
Occupation: Bartender at University Bar
TOO MUCH VOMIT. Up the stairs, off the balcony, down the stairs, in the toilet, in the sink, over the bar, on the pool table, it is never-ending. I’ve seen cubicle walls covered from every angle all at once, as if they are a carwash pump. I pray for the day that they learn to line their stomach’s, but they probably never will.
Do you have any nightmare or surreal bar stories you want to share? get in touch on our Instagram: @nox.magazine